Moana 2 Audiences Agree That The Sequel Is Sorely Missing One Major Element That Made The Original Disney Movie Great (2024)

Audiences are lamenting that Moana 2 is missing a crucial element that made the original Disney hit so beloved: its music. The highly-anticipated sequel continues the story of Moana as she embarks on a new adventure to restore harmony to the oceans and her people. Moana 2's returning voice actors include Auli’i Cravalho as the titular character and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Maui. However, audience reactions suggest that while the visuals and themes remain strong, the sequel's music falls short of the original's ingenuity.

Early responses to Moana 2 pointed out a lack of quality in the sequel’s music, missing the spark of songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda, who penned several songs for the first film, such as "How Far I'll Go," and "You're Welcome," did not return to work on the sequel. Instead, the writer was replaced with Grammy-winning TikTok duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. Without his unique blend of lyrical storytelling and vibrant melodies—also seen in Disney's Encanto and the musical Hamilton—many viewers feel that the sequel's soundtrack struggles to live up to its predecessor. Check out the reactions below.

@helloitsdanie was looking forward to returning to the island of Motunui. They noted, "It was great to be back in the world again," but emphasized "the soundtrack was DESPERATELY missing Lin-Manuel Miranda."

Max Dinenberg felt that Moana 2 was "fine." The sequel returned with beautiful visuals and strong leads that further explore the islands and people surrounding Motunui. Unfortunately, the viewer noted, "what’s missing is the music of Lin Manuel Miranda." The songwriter's touch, they contend, is "what made the first film special."

Tamara Fuentes wrote that Moana 2 was a "miss." Once again, the viewer praised the sequel's dazzling visuals and Cravalho's strong performance, but asserted that "the songs are not up to par to [Lin-Manuel Miranda's] incredible soundtrack."

Another viewer, Sam Adams, shared a meme of a news brief showing a fictitious comedic response from Lin-Manuel Miranda to Moana 2's soundtrack: "Well, Well, Well, Not So Easy To Write a Disney Song That Doesn't Suck Sh-t, Huh?" Maybe not so easy.

Laura wrote that Moana 2 was "a beautiful continuation" of the island princess's story. Once again, they did express, "Music was nice, but nothing got stuck in my head." Nonetheless, they added, "Opetaia Foaʻi kills it as the composer."

Another viewer, @beames_josh, had a succinct meme for Moana 2, contending, "Wish and Moana 2 are the best things to ever happen for Lin Manuel Miranda’s career and reputation," including Disney's animated fantasy film Wish as yet another musical that could've used Miranda's expertise.

What Audience's Response To Moana 2's Soundtrack Means

Moana 2’s Music May Fall Short Without Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Magic

The response to the Moana 2 soundtrack underscores the significant role that Lin-Manuel Miranda's songwriting played in the original film’s success. The songs from the first Moana not only became cultural phenomena but also helped solidify the movie’s legacy as one of Disney’s best modern musicals. Tracks like “How Far I’ll Go” earned critical acclaim, including a Grammy Award and an Academy Award nomination, and resonated deeply with audiences of any age.

The lack of similarly standout songs in the sequel may highlight the challenge of replicating Miranda's success. Disney's animated musicals have long relied on memorable soundtracks to enhance storytelling and emotional impact. Audience feedback suggests that Moana 2’s music, while serviceable, doesn’t capture the same spirit, potentially affecting the overall reception of the film. Moana 2's Rotten Tomatoes score is lower than the first, yet the film has already shattered box office records with $13.8 million preview sales.

Our Take On The Audience's Response To Moana 2's Music

The Missing Ingredient In Moana 2’s Soundtrack That Fans Can’t Overlook

It’s impossible to overstate the influence Lin-Manuel Miranda has on stage and the screen. His music didn’t just accompany the original Moana—it elevated it, turning Moana’s journey into an unforgettable experience. For example, her softly singing a reprise of "Know Who You Are" to the corrupted Te Kā will always remain close to my heart. While Moana 2 may still offer a compelling narrative and beautiful open-water world, the absence of Miranda’s sound leaves a noticeable gap.

For fans of the original, the lack of standout songs in Moana 2 might be disappointing, but it also highlights just how impactful Miranda’s work was. While the sequel may not replicate the musical magic of the first film, it still has the potential to stand out in other ways as a visual masterpiece and return to the well-beloved dynamic between Moana and Maui. However, one thing is clear: Disney’s animated musicals shine brightest when their music is as unforgettable as their characters and stories.

Source: Various (see above)

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Moana 2

PG

Animation

Comedy

Fantasy

Musical

Adventure

Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.

Director

David G. Derrick Jr. , Jason Hand , Dana Ledoux Miller

Release Date

November 27, 2024

Studio(s)

Walt Disney Pictures , Walt Disney Animation Studios

Distributor(s)

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Writers

Dana Ledoux Miller , Jared Bush , Jason Hand , Ron Clements , John Musker

Cast

Auli'i Cravalho , Dwayne Johnson , Alan Tudyk , Rachel House , Temuera Morrison , Nicole Scherzinger , Hualālai Chung , David Fane , Rose Matafeo , Awhimai Fraser , Gerald Ramsey , Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda

Character(s)

Moana , Maui , Hei Hei , Tala , Chief Tui , Sina , Moni , Kele , Loto , Matangi , Tautai Vasa , Simea

Runtime

100 Minutes

Franchise(s)

Disney

prequel(s)

Moana

Main Genre

Animation

Where To Stream

Disney+