Review: 'Moana 2' barely wayfound box office success

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For being a sequel to one of Disney’s most successful movies, “Moana 2,” known as “Vaiana 2” and “Oceania 2” in some markets outside the U.S., narrowly excels at being an impactful continuation of the original 2016 movie. 

“Moana 2” debuted in U.S. theaters on Nov. 27 and it ceremoniously followed the main character, Moana, and her village, Motunui, three years after “Moana” (2016). In the 2016 movie, Moana, the village chief’s daughter and an aspiring wayfinder, voyaged with her hog Pua, her chicken Heihei and Maui, a comedically mighty demigod, across the treacherous ocean to find and restore Te Fiti, a once-vibrant island that became a calamitous and desolate demon after Maui stole its heart a millennium ago. Together, Moana and Maui underwent massive character development and successfully restored Te Fiti.

“Moana 2” tweaks some of the first movie’s plot, adding noticeably higher stakes. 

This time around, Moana, after receiving a vision from her ancestor Tautai Vasa, must find the island of Motufetu, a revered central hub for all of the islands until Nalo, a human-hating god, cursed it and sank it to the bottom of the ocean to destroy humanity and establish his dominance. If Moana fails to save Motufetu, humanity will fail to reconnect with each other and cease to exist.

Given these stakes, Moana is aided not only by Pua, Heihei and Maui, but by a trio of new characters from her village: Loto, a skilled craftswoman; Moni, a strong farm boy who idolizes Maui and Keke, a grumpy, old man who adept at farming.

This simple and arguably repetitive plot retcons elements of the original movie, such as the Motunui’s reason for being separated from society, but it does expand the scenic world of “Moana” while also setting up electrifying action sequences that cemented Moana’s place as one of Disney’s best princesses.

However, despite its success in the action department, many things leading up to the action are incredibly lackluster. Outside some one-off moments of teamwork, our new heroes failed to be memorable like other helpers in other iconic Disney princess movies, such as Mushu from “Mulan” (1998), Ray from “The Princess and the Frog” (2009), or Flounder and Sebastian from “The Little Mermaid” (1989).

This issue and others, unfortunately, likely stem from executive decisions made within production.

For example, Maui’s pivotal role in helping Moana save Motufetu was delayed for a sizable amount of the movie because he was held captive by Nalo’s female accomplice, Matangi ,until she secretly betrays him and helps our heroes.

This delay would make sense in a TV show format since tension would build over episodes, and apparently, “Moana 2” was initially meant to be just that, a TV show, but since it isn’t Maui’s delay in the 1 hour and 40-minute slot feels untimely and unsatisfying given his character’s charm and importance.

Another issue likely caused by production changes is Nalo’s presence. Despite repeatedly being mentioned as a harrowing evil, Nalo never reveals himself physically. He attacks our heroes with lightning storms and sea monsters, but he remains unseen in physical form until a post-credits cutscene where he forces Matangi to serve him in his revenge after Motufetu is restored by our heroes.

Lastly, the absence of Lin-Manuel Miranda, a heavy contributor to the original movie’s music, was heavily felt. Despite having spirit, great animation and timely placements, “Moana 2’s” songs, produced by new songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, lacked catchiness due to clunky lyrics. Neither I nor my “Moana” stan teenage cousin recalled any song lyrics when we left the theater.

Thankfully, despite its pitfalls, “Moana 2” will be remembered for its action and the development of Moana and Maui as both characters literally died and came back to life to save Motufetu.  The post-credit scene with Nalo and Matangi guarantees another continuation of the story.

What Disney must do now between now and then is ensure that “Moana” doesn’t deteriorate into a failed sequel cash grab franchise or endure the same pitfalls in pacing or music.

But for now, given what “Moana 2” has offered, I give it a 7: barely passing. 

I’m cautiously optimistic about what will happen next.

Embracing my Inner Tinker

Like Tinkerbell, it took me a minute to appreciate my inner Tinker. 

Tinkerbell was my favorite movie growing up. I loved everything about it, especially how each fairy had a unique talent. When my sister and I would play fairies, as a set of sisters do, I could never decide if I wanted to be Silvermist or Fawn. I’d even settle for Vidia, the evil fast-flying fairy, before I chose Tinkerbell. The only relatable thing about her at the time was that she was blonde. 

I recently re-watched the first Tinkerbell movie and had an eye-opening realization. Before I get to that, let me give a brief synopsis of the movie. Tinkerbell was born just like any other fairy after a baby laughs for the first time, adorable, I know. She floats into Pixie Hollow, where she meets the rest of the fairies and finds her talent. It is a sorting-hat type of situation where the talent chooses her by glowing when she touches it. She’s chosen to be a Tinker. They essentially build everything for the other fairies. They cannot talk to animals, harness sunlight, or control water. Since their work is done solely at Pixie Hollow, they are not allowed to go to the Mainland.

The whole movie is based around the different types of fairies getting ready for the first day of Spring. Each fairy works in their own way to help, like Rosetta who gets the Tulip bulbs ready, or Fawn who encourages the baby birds to fly. Suddenly, disaster strikes, and all of their preparation gets ruined. The blame is put on Tinkerbell, and she feels immense pressure to fix it. Using her Tinkering abilities, Tinkerbell invents creative contraptions to speed up the preparations. In the end, Spring arrives on time and she gets to go to the Mainland, all thanks to her curious mind.

I never wanted to be a Tinker. This was a consistent opinion throughout my life, and it wasn’t until recently that I realized the specialness of being someone like Tinkerbell. In the movies, most Tinkers are characterized as clumsy and awkward. I’m clumsy and awkward, but so many other elements make a Tinker who they are. 

Not to get too intellectual about a Disney movie, but… 

Tinkers help others when they need them most. Even though they may not be in the spotlight like the other fairies, they still serve a significant purpose in their community. Without them, the nature fairies would not be able to work as seamlessly as they do. Tinkerbell is driven, hard-headed, and determined to accomplish whatever she puts her mind to. She thinks outside of the box by using unconventional methods. Her life is not glamorous in any way, but she finds ways to romanticize it in every way she can. 

Being someone like Tinkerbell is a lot of pressure. They are the support system that holds everything and everyone up. They are the person in the corner that you can go to for help. They are curious, and they have a genuine desire to make a bad situation good. There are not many people like that in the world. Having that sort of talent should be celebrated. I did not realize that when I was growing up. I guess I was too distracted by the idea of tracing water droplets or leading a trail of lightning bugs. 

I’m now more appreciative of my inner Tinker. I can admire the talents of others without discounting my own, which took me a long time to accept. I think Tinkerbell is a great example of growing out of insecurity and embracing whatever it is that makes you special. This is something I'll continue to work on as I grow up, but it was nice to find a reminder in something so familiar like this movie. 

Are there any lessons you learned from your favorite childhood movies that you still live by today? 

Festival and Parade Brings Community Together with Lobster and Disney Villain

Disney princesses, fairies, safari animals and superheroes are just a few among the thousands that flocked to the Anaheim Fall Festival in Downtown Anaheim on Center Street Promenade on Saturday afternoon, followed by a Halloween Parade in the evening.

This year’s festival garnered over 6,000 visitors in Anaheim for a full day of kid-friendly, carnival-oriented games, including everything from spinning a wheel for prizes, beanbag throws, arts and crafts booths, swag bags, vendors and candy for trick-or-treaters.

“I really, really, really like the cupcakes and candy!  They’re really yummy!” said a little girl, who was dressed up as a ladybug.

Visitors even had the chance to check out Hoagy’s Haunted Halls for a bloodless, gutless and gore-free attraction.  Live entertainment also took the stage, from Oxford Academy Fiddlers and the Anaheim Ballet, to Colony of the Performing Arts and Ronald McDonald, just to name a few.

“I love giving back to the community and to youth.  This day is mainly geared for the kids and I think that makes it a special day for them,” said John Peterson, former President of the Kiwanis Club.  Peterson has volunteered with the festival for about 20 years.

Children up to age 12 were also able to participate in a costume contest for cash prizes. Contestants graced the stage and greeted a panel of four judges as Snow White, Mama and Papa Smurf, cats, a peacock, lions, tigers and bears, Snow Whites, Spiderman, Ironman, Superman and so much more.

A few of the winners included Snow White, who slept on a makeshift bed surrounded by her Seven Dwarves, with her Evil Queen-mother and Prince Charming-father; a garden gnome; and a baby lobster whose parents dressed up as chefs.  He was even placed in a pot and topped off with some vegetables for décor, which sealed the deal for the judges and crowd-favorite.

By the evening, locals had already set up their foldable chairs, couches and even caution tape to claim a front-row view of the Halloween Parade on Broadway between Manchester and Clementine.

Cruella De Vil, the villain from Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, was this year’s VIP Grand Marshall.  De Vil joined a line-up of famous Grand Marshalls, including baseball legend, Babe Ruth.  Ruth was the parade’s first Grand Marshall when it started in 1924.  On the contrary, it appears as though De Vil would be a rather infamous VIP.

Claps, cheers, oohs and ahhs could be heard from the crowd as De Vil made her way along the route, in addition to Tom Tait, Anaheim’s Mayor and VIP Community Grand Marshall, Anaheim Police SWAT Unit and Fire Department, among many others of the 46 in the line-up.

Following the parade and events, many left in positive and high spirits.

All Fall Festival and Halloween Parade activities were sponsored by local organizations, including the City of Anaheim, Anaheim Connected, Kaiser Permanente, and the Disneyland Resort.