GENRE:  Family/ Animation

SUMMATION: Moana journeys to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors.

QUIP: We are back with Moana and her beautiful clan. It's been eight years since our journey with the young wavefinder and a lot has happened since then. I tell you, there is something about this franchise that connects with my spirit. Is it the singing? Hell to the naw. Is it The Rock as Maui? Nawp! It's that Indigenous connection that gets me every time, especially when they settle into their natural cultural language and songs. Moana 2 was rifled with production issues. It went from a planned series to that being scrapped and made into a quick movie sequel and...you can kind of tell. It wasn't as strong as the first movie, however, it didn't take away from the franchise at all as a much-needed continuing piece of the folktale that truly is Moana. We need to know the stories (not necessarily all the singing) behind how the islands and the varied diverse Polynesian culture came to be. We also needed to see Moana begin to take on more of the important cultural rites of her people and we got the next iteration of that.

Though I wish we had better songs, the ones that featured only them singing in Polynesian was solid and beautifully done. We also were introduced to new members of Moana's tribe which was wonderful, while seeing familiar favorite faces. So, check this out because, what got me in the heart and had me with a raised fist in the air, was at the end (✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾). When I say a big smile spread across my face!!! 

Also, stay for the post-credit. With what's going on with the Big Mouse, I'm really not sure where we're going in the future of seeing more own-voice stories anymore, and you all will understand why I'm saying this once you watch Moana 2.

Enjoy stepping back into her world.


RATING: 4/5 Waves 🌊🌊🌊🌊