Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Moana 2Moana 2 it quickly became one of the biggest films of the year, even in its first few weeks of release. While reviews for Disney's sequel aren't as glowing as those for the original, Moana 2 broke box office records to become the biggest Thanksgiving opening of all time. While the public enjoys Moana 2 More than critics, a plot twist at the end of the film left many doubts about where the future of the franchise is going.
Moana 2The story picks up where the original left off, focusing on Moana's reunion with Maui and assembling a guidance team to find a lost island and reconnect with all the people scattered across the ocean. Moana 2 brings back several characters from the first film, but Moana herself once again takes center stage, and there is a big turning point that comes at the end of the filmwhich had a very subtle setup in the first film.
The First Moana Movie Teased Why She Would Become a Demigod
She displays abilities and has a destiny beyond most people
While there doesn't seem to be much direct setup for the demigod's big twist in Moana 2where Moana becomes a demigod, there are definitely hints that point to that outcome in the first film. One of the big clues is that Moana was able to see her grandmother's spiritsomething that doesn't seem to be that common for the people of your island. Not only that, but she also sees the spirits of all her ancestors, encouraging her to continue saving Te Fiti and her people.
The ocean choosing Moana to save the world meant that her destiny was to accomplish something incredible.
Another big hint from the first film is the fact that the ocean itself chose Moana when she was born to return Te Fiti's heart, establishing Moanathe plot in motion. While the true nature of what the ocean actually is hasn't been fully explained, it's clearly meant to represent a powerful force in the world, even more so than Maui, in some ways. The ocean choosing Moana to save the world meant that her destiny was to accomplish something incredible and, clearly, that went beyond saving Te Fiti.
Moana's Demigod Twist Setup Makes Moana 2's Reveal Even Better
The reveal could have been worse if the first film hadn't hinted at it
The fact that the big twist Moana 2The ending of It Didn't Come Out of Nowhere makes it that much more satisfying to watch it happen. If there was no setup, it would feel like an uninteresting attempt to give the film a sense of purpose.. With tips from Moanahowever, it becomes a satisfying plot point that feels earned.
Even though Moana becoming a demigod was still very unexpected, it doesn't feel forced. The build-up to Moana's fate shown in the original film is, hopefully, a sign that whatever comes after Moana 2 has already been suggested.
Moana 2
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 Moana's journey as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.
- Cast
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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
- Director
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David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
- Studio(s)
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Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios