Moana 2 premieres after eight-year wait but viewers notice major ‘missing’ factor in sequel

Moana is back in cinemas after a long eight-year wait, but a missing element has left diehard fans disappointed with the sequel.

Moana 2 sets sail in cinemas today after an eight-year wait from the original film, but a missing element means the sequel feels lost at sea.

When Disney released the first film in 2016, it was an instant smash hit, bringing in $US680 million at the global box office. So it’s no surprises fans were waiting to see what adventure the Wayfinding Warrior goes on next.

The sequel brings us back to the island of Motunui and takes place three years after the events of the first film. Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) is now 19 years old and sets off on a new voyage after being called upon by her ancestors to break a curse cast by the evil storm god Nalo.

Moana returns with an action-packed sequel after an eight-year wait.

Moana’s mission is to search for the lost island of Motufetu and reconnect her people to their ancestral neighbours across the ocean, thus breaking the curse.

Before starting her journey, she recruits a bunch of locals to form part of her crew together with her beloved chicken Hei Hei, pet pig Pua and, of course, her Demigod sidekick Maui (Dwayne Johnson).

Moana sets sail for a new adventure in the sequel. Picture: Disney

The Disney princess is joined by Demigod Maui. Picture: Disney

While the plot is predictable and mirrors the original film – Moana encounters foes along the way and ultimately faces a showdown with nature – the animation is vibrant and visually stunning, and the musical performances from Cravalho are captivating.

Only problem is, the songs just weren’t as catchy.

Unfortunately, Moana 2 falls short of the magic that was in the original film – and the absence of musical maestro Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was the songwriter behind the hits on the first movie including How Far I’ll Go and You’re Welcome, is sorely missed.

Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, who voice Moana and Maui, attend the Moana 2 UK premiere on November 24 in London. Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images

Music is the heartbeat of every Disney movie – Frozen has Let It Go, The Little Mermaid has Under The Sea, and The Lion King has Circle of Life.

With Miranda busy doing other projects and not on-board for Moana 2, the music this time around is pretty underwhelming.

Sadly, there is not one standout song from Moana 2 that stays in your head until well after the credits roll.

Beyond is the film’s official song written by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, best known as the musical duo Barlow & Bear. But sadly that song doesn’t evoke the same strong emotions as How Far I’ll Go.

Moana 2 introduces her little sister, Simea. Picture: Disney

The sequel also features new characters who form her crew in the film. Picture: Disney

Barlow & Bear got their start on TikTok before working on The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Album, which won them a Grammy Award in 2022 for Best Musical Theatre Album, undoubtedly catching Disney’s attention.

The pair were then brought on-board by Disney to spearhead the soundtrack for Moana 2, making them the first female songwriting duo and the youngest ever to compose for a Disney feature film.

And while they tried to give Moana 2 a modern flair just like they did the historical series Bridgerton, the music, coupled with the plot, just did not resonate with audiences.

Johnson at the Moana premiere in 2016 with songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was behind the hits on the original film. Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

“The quality and love was there but something was really missing with this film. The music was really lacklustre and I thought we were gonna have some insane memorable music numbers but we didn’t,” tweeted one viewer.

“What’s missing is the music of Lin Manuel Miranda. It’s what made the first film special and without him, that quality is missing here,” concluded another.

Yet another tweeted: “I never expected #Moana2 to have the same charm as the first, but I expected it to at least have charm. The animation is gorgeous & Auliʻi Cravalho delivers a good performance! But the story, music & editing fails this sequel.”

Abigail Barlow (left) and Emily Bear are the duo behind the songs on Moana 2. Picture: Darryl Oumi/Getty Images

While another X user wrote, “Moana 2 takes two steps forward and one step back. The visuals are truly breathtaking and the story raises the stakes, but the film’s music drops off as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s absence is felt.”

However, Miranda will be back for the live action adaptation of Moana slated for release in mid-2026, in which the Broadway legend will take charge of the music as well executive-produce the film.

Johnson will reprise his role of demigod Maui and Moana will be played by Australian actress Catherine Laga’aia, the daughter of New Zealand-Australian actor Jay Laga’aia.

Only time will tell if the live-action film can restore the magic viewers desperately craved in the sequel.

Moana is in cinemas Thursday, November 28

Originally published as Moana 2 premieres after eight-year wait but viewers notice major ‘missing’ factor in sequel