Shadows on the Wall

Moana 2

dir David G Derrick Jr, Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
scr Jared Bush, Dana Ledoux Miller
prd Christina Chen, Yvett Merino
voices Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Hualalai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Awhimai Fraser, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Tofiga Fepulea'i, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, Alan Tudyk, Jemaine Clement
release US/UK 29.Nov.24
24/US Disney 1h40

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Even if Disney's animation style is beginning to feel rather old fashioned, this sequel looks great thanks to a terrific use of water, sand and sky. And the lively characters pull the audience in, generating wit and energy even when the plot begins to feel simplistic and rather predictable. This is a colourful adventure packed with soaring songs and moments that are hilarious, involving and even suspenseful.

Now an intrepid wayfarer, Moana (Cravalho) is out exploring nearby islands for clues about her own island's history when she discovers a larger truth: malicious god Nalo (Fepulea'i) placed a curse on the people of the South Pacific, isolating each island community away from the others. So Moana sets out to fix this, assembling a makeshift crew with inventor Loto (Matafeo), historian Moni (Chung) and farmer Kele (Fane). Along the way they connect with Moana's previous cohort, demigod Maui (Johnson), who has his own issues both with Nalo and Nalo's mischievous sidekick Matangi (Fraser).

Nutty touches along the way keep the audience entertained, especially with the antics of Maui's tattoos and Moana's absurd chicken Heihei. Despite the uncomplicated plot, a sophisticated approach to mortality and history may leave younger viewers behind. And as our heroes face what seems to be a suicide mission, there are a few genuinely harrowing sequences. Combined with the eye-catching visuals, the deeper ideas make the film more involving for grown-ups, even though we know where the story is headed.

If the characters look somewhat cartoonish and plasticky, at least they are bursting with personality that's expressed both visually and through the lively vocal performances. And the animators create glorious settings throughout the story, including an entire ecosphere inside a gigantic clam. There's also the enjoyable return of the wacky coconut-masked Kakamura warriors, who are now more integrated into the plot. And each member of Moana's crew takes his or her own internal journey along the way.

There are moments when the film's origin as a TV series shows, largely in the way it is set up for further similar adventures as Moana explores the seas finding new connections with the larger world beyond her experiences. But this also allows the writers to expand the character base and include some terrific throwaway gags and pointed pop culture references. And the catchy new songs by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear are sure to gain traction too.

themes, violence 1.Dec.24

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