Moana 2 stars Auli'i Cravalho praises character growth and musical evolution in Disney sequel

Disney returns to Motunui in Moana 2the long-awaited sequel to the hit 2016 animated film, and protagonist Moana (once again voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) has become a respected Tautai. She also has a three-year-old sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), who loves the ground she walks on and makes it much harder to leave the house when her ancestors arrive. But they truly come calling, and Moana’s guidance skills are sorely needed to reunite her people across the ocean.

Moana 2 begins the long journey to the hidden island of Montufetu by granting Moana a crew, which includes three colorful new characters, plus Pua and Heihei. But when the storm god Nalo interferes with their journey to ensure the humans stay apart, it will take the help of an old friend and demigod to get things back on track. Maui (Dwayne Johnson) has to choose with Nalo, and along with Moana, the pair are more than ready to dive into uncharted waters.

TelaRant interviewed Cravalho about his journey in Moana 2including the expansion of Moana’s family and friend group, as well as how that growth was translated into the sequel’s music. The actor also spoke effusively about the evolving dynamic between Moana and Maui now that the latter is a master navigator.

“The idea that Moana may never return is heartbreaking and torn in two.”

Moana showing the ocean to her sister Simea in Moana 2

Screen Rant: Amazing work on Moana 2. Can you explain Moana’s inner turmoil after being called out by her ancestors? How does she balance the conflict through her emotions and sense of duty?

Auli’i Cravalho: Ooh, great first question. We meet Moana three years after we last saw her. She is now a Tautai, a master navigator, and wants to be in the water for long periods of time. But she also has a younger sister, Simea, who is also three years old. She’s vibrant and bold and a lot like Moana.

In many ways, this creates some tension. The stakes only rise when Moana receives a call from her ancestors to travel even further than before, to bring together people from across the Pacific. This means that she is leaving not only her mother and father, who she loves deeply, but her entire community, who now consider her their first Tautai, and her younger sister.

I have cousins and I know that when children reach that age, they grow up very quickly. The idea of Moana never coming back is heartbreaking and torn in two.

Screen Rant: I love the scene where Moana’s sister is introduced to the sea, and that the sea is a character in this film. Can you talk about the evolution of her relationship with the ocean in this film?

Auli’i Cravalho: Yes, definitely. Ocean, as we affectionately call them, is also an animated character. The ocean actually has a role to play and protected Moana. As we are leaving Motunui, Moana promises Simea that she will return and that the ocean really is her friend.

The ocean isn’t lively all over the world, and when Moana travels to new waters, she doesn’t have that support. I feel like growth is a central theme in this film, and not being able to rely on the same people or the same support group that you’ve relied on in previous years forces you to grow.

Screen Rant: Obviously, everyone loves Moana and Maui together. Talk to me about how their relationship evolved the second time around.

Auli’i Cravalho: I feel like in the first film Moana and Maui’s relationship was a little more hierarchical because Maui is a demigod. But this time, it looks like they are the same. They respect each other. Moana still sees Maui as a mentor, but Maui sees Moana as a Tautai, a master navigator who can hold her own.

In the first film, Moana takes Maui out of his routine. And this movie is upside down. Their friendship is very strong.

Moana 2 composers helped Auli’l Cravalho express her character’s growth musically

“Beyond is an incredible power ballad written by Barlow & Bear that answers the question of How Far I’ll Go.”

Screen Rant: Speaking of growing up, how do you think Moana’s journey reflects the real-life challenges many face in their personal and community obligations?

Auli’i Cravalho: Oh, that’s a good one. I’ve always loved Moana because I feel like she has a great sense of community, a great sense of identity, and a fantastic connection to culture. There is a deep sense of knowledge that makes her wise beyond her years.

But I also asked the question posed in the song “Beyond”. Who am I when I leave home? Who am I when I’m miles and miles away from my people? I think “Beyond” is an incredible, powerful ballad written by Barlow & Bear that continues or answers the question “How Far I’ll Go”. I will go further.

Screen Rant: You mentioned the composers, who beautifully captured Moana’s growth. What was it like working with Abigail and Emily on this film?

Auli’i Cravalho: Oh, they’re excellent. I love Abigail and Emily, first and foremost, as humans. It’s great when I respect and admire the people I work with. Both are wise in their own right.

I’m also really grateful that they listened to my desire to show Moana’s growth through her voice. They already had their lyrics attached to the songs, but hearing Abigail’s voice as my scratch meant I thought, “I want to add a riff here. I want to add something cool here,” and that’s a lot of fun to play. with.

First I learned all the song and sang it perfectly, and then the joy of the animation is that I do a character race where I throw all the song out the window. It’s running and jumping and screaming and just bringing the music to life. So I’m as much of a Barlow & Bear fan as anyone else. And listen to your creation? I love that.

“The idea that Moana may never return is heartbreaking and torn in two.”

Moana 2 composers helped Auli’l Cravalho express her character’s growth musically

“Beyond is an incredible power ballad written by Barlow & Bear that answers the question of How Far I’ll Go.”

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