Eight years ago, Moana (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) was the Polynesian navigator who made a splash in Disney's eponymous debut. Her unique ocean adventure with the demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) grossed over $665 million worldwide for the studio and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Four years after that success, Disney announced plans for an animated TV series. The studio later scrapped the idea in favor of a film sequel, while also announcing a live-action remake.
Moana in part 2 of Disney's successful animated film
Moana 2 was directed by Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller, and David G. Derrick Jr. from a screenplay by Jared Bush, Bek Smith, and Dana Ledoux Miller. The sequel features stunning animation, but lacks the cohesive story and emotional intimacy that made its predecessor so memorable.
Cravalho and Johnson reprise their roles as Moana and Maui in the sequel. In breathtaking scenes, Moana, Maui and the new crew encounter raging waves and mysterious creatures, reminding viewers why 95% of the ocean remains unexplored.
However, this vivid visual does not save the plot from being disjointed and shallow compared to the first film. While Moana focused on the relationship between the guide and his demigod companion, Moana 2 divides the attention among more characters.
Part 2 opens 3 years after the girl Moana saved her home island from environmental disaster. The young girl used a boat to travel everywhere to find many other tribes.
And as the new film begins, Moana returns to Motunui with evidence of other inhabited islands in the area. This lovely return introduces new characters including Moni (Hualalai Chung), a poet; Loto (Rose Matafeo), an eccentric shipwright; Kele (David Fane), a grumpy farmer; and Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), Moana's sweet younger sister.
Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui in live-action remake
After some convincing, Moana heeds her ancestors' call and sets out across the reef to find the lost island with a motley crew.
From the moment Moana and her crew rescue Maui from Matangai Prison, Moana 2 builds impressive action scenes on a relatively weak plot.
Live-action adaptation of Moana
Disney Animation has officially announced that the live-action adaptation of Moana is scheduled to hit theaters on July 10, 2026.
Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, while Catherine Laga'aia takes on the lead role of Moana. The film is being shot in Hawaii, directed by Thomas Kail. The film also stars Rena Owen as Tala, John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and more.
Catherine Laga'aia plays Moana in the live-action version
Returning to the role in a live-action remake is familiar territory for Dwayne Johnson. "I know Maui, I know his inspiration. I can access everything. I will do it," he told Extra in November 2024.
However, the move to live-action brought changes that Johnson said were "eye-opening."
"As soon as I walked onto the set as Maui, I was like, 'Oh, wow, this is different,' in the sense that this is flesh and blood. It suddenly became real, almost like stepping into the shoes of my grandfather, and it felt special. At the same time, the film also made sure to maintain all the elements that made the original animated film so appealing, from the music, the dances, to the indigenous customs. Moana will focus on human values in Polynesian culture," Dwayne Johnson said. Having Samoan blood, and being born and raised in Hawaii, Dwayne Johnson deeply appreciates works that honor traditional values and Polynesian culture.
Moana 2 (Vietnamese title : Journey of Moana 2 ) is showing in theaters in Vietnam, earning 140 million USD in North America after its release on November 27 and global revenue reaching more than 190 million USD.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/moana-2-an-tuong-ve-hinh-anh-nhung-thieu-suc-manh-noi-dung-185241201095015907.htm
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