Moana 2 (2024)

Disney is at its best when it transports you to another world. A world you would much rather be. The ocean calls out to Moana once more to set sail on another adventure and follow her destiny as a wayfinder. The plot may be thin, but ye gods, it's a marvelous feast for the eyes. Moana is such a likeable character and Auliʻi Cravalho is endlessly charming in her performance. This isn't a better movie than Moana by any measure, and the songs here aren't quite as strong or memorable as Lin's contributions to the original, but as a breathtaking visual spectacle full of magic and wonder, it's second to none.

3 Chee-Hoos out of 5

MOANA [2016]

Inspired by a collection of Polynesian legends, Disney's Moana is another strong addition to the studios ever-growing library of animated films.
After her tribe is threatened by an ancient curse the soon-to-be chief sets out to sea to find a legendary demigod that can help her set things right.
With it's lively voice-acting and beautiful animation Moana is easy to enjoy even when it does a drag a bit here and there.  Flight of the Conchord fans will love Jemaine Clement's sequence, however it's Dwayne Johnson's demigod character that chews up each scene he's in.  I was afraid The Rock couldn't do voice-acting or musicals but he miraculously pulls it off with flying colors.  To add to all the fun is the rousing music from composer Mark Mancina, Hamilton writer Lin-Manuel Miranda and New Zealand's oceanic music act Te Vaka.  Anchored by some well-doing themes and messages Moana is Disney's second big animated winner of 2016.

4 stowaway roosters out of 5