Disney’s Moana 2—starring the voices of Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson—is new in theaters on Wednesday. How are critics reacting to the sequel to the 2016 animated blockbuster?
Moana 2 plays in previews on Tuesday before opening nationwide on Wednesday. The official logline for Moana 2 reads, “After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.”
Cravalho reprises her voice role of Moana in Moana 2, while Johnson returns to voice Maui.
In the first round of reviews posted on Rotten Tomatoes, critics have thus far collectively given Moana 2 a 71% “fresh” rating based on 51 reviews.
By contrast, RT critics who reviewed the first Moana in 2016 gave the film a stellar 95% “fresh” rating based on 286 reviews.
The RT Critics Consensus for the original Moana reads, “With a title character as three-dimensional as its lush animation and a story that adds fresh depth to Disney’s time-tested formula, Moana is truly a family-friendly adventure for the ages.”
Moana also earned an 89% “fresh” Audience Score based on 50,000-plus verified user ratings.
What Are Individual Critics Saying About Moana 2?
Among the RT critics who gave Moana 2 a “fresh” review are India Block of the London Evening Standard. Block writes, The animation is even more beautiful, allowing you to see every grain of sand and drop of ocean spray. With artistry this good, it begs the question for why a live-action remake is needed at all.”
Owen Gleiberman of Variety isn’t nearly as enthusiastic in his review of the film, but still gives it a “fresh” review, writing, “Moana 2 is an okay movie, an above-average kiddie roller-coaster, and a piece of pure product in a way that the first Moana, at its best, transcended.”
Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) in “Moana 2.”
Brian Truitt also gave Moana 2 a “fresh” review, praising the film’s stars. In his USA Today review, Truitt writes, “Even if it’s not as mold-smashing, the sequel still makes good use of its best assets: The terrific Auli‘i Cravalho brings extra depth to lively wayfarer Moana while Johnson lends powerful sass to endlessly buff sidekick Maui.”
Among the RT Critics who gave Moana 2 a “rotten” review is Lovia Gyarke, who writes in The Hollywood Reporter, “Where Moana focused on the relationship between the titular adventurer and her reluctant demigod companion, Moana 2 divides its attention among more characters. These personalities become window dressing in a movie short on time.”
Tim Grierson of Screen International also gave Moana 2 a “rotten” review on RT, writing, “What once seemed so effortlessly charming about this young wayfinder forging her own path has, in Part Two, become more convoluted and stilted — it’s a journey that, frustratingly, leads nowhere.”
The first Moana film, of course, was a huge financial success. According to The Numbers, Moana earned $248.7 million domestically and nearly $437.4 million internationally for a worldwide box office gross of $686.1 million against a $150 million production budget before prints and advertising.
Rated PG, Moana 2 plays in previews on Tuesday before opening in theaters nationwide on Wednesday.
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