Moana 2

Heavily referential of its 2016 predecessor, this sequel folds its eponymous hero’s adventures into a reimagined Pacific mythology and expanding Disney canon.

Left-to-right: Moana and Maui gaze up from their vessel at a storm filled sky, in Moana 2 (Disney Animation Studios).

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This post is part of the regular ‘One Take’ series analysing the politics of a film currently showing at the cinemas.

Content warning: Death and bereavement.

Note: Given that, at time of writing, Moana 2 is still showing in UK cinemas, this analysis only lays out as much of the film’s scenario as is necessary so as to avoid spoilers. It is therefore suitable to be read either before or after watching the film, while hopefully still enriching the viewer’s appreciation of it either way.