Where do I even begin? This is by far the movie of the year! Moana 2 is the perfect family movie for the keikis and the elders and everything in between. I might be a little biased, but this is the best Disney Animation movie of the year! By the end of the movie I was crying. Keep reading to understand why.
As someone who is Micronesian and of Chamorro (indigenous people of the Mariana Islands) descent, Moana 2 was a movie for everyone living on the islands and throughout the Pasifika diaspora. If you were to ask me to describe Moana 2 in three words it would be: activation, authentication, and representation.
Activation
In the first Moana, it emphasized Moana learning who she is and where she came from. The first movie built the foundation of who Moana was made to be. It was her exploring her calling and figuring out what she was purposed to do in her life. Moana 2 was an activation of her becoming who she was made to be. In Moana 2, you can expect to see Moana voyaging and walking in her authority as a chief to her people. She fully embodied what it means to be a leader for your people. Everything the first movie foreshadowed and prophesied over Moana, she walked out and fulfilled in the second movie. The activation of who she became to be is a testament for all the other young Pacific Islander girls to keep pushing forward. In the first Moana, we see "How Far I'll Go," but in Moana 2, we go "Beyond" what we already know and we seek for more unknown places and people, because we have to keep going for the sake of our people.
Authentication
If you were apprehensive about watching Moana 2 because you're questioning the authenticity of the story being portrayed by the directors, producers, writers, animators, etc., let me debunk and deinfluence you from every negative review or thought processes. Moana 2 is for this generation. Moana 2 has been authenticated by an entire board of cultural trustees to ensure the cultures being portrayed are accurate and best represented. From the dances, cultural practices, societal behaviors, facial expressions, and community interactions, Moana 2 is proven to be true, genuine, and valid!
It is beautiful to have people of Pacific Islander descent be so hands-on in the work to create Moana 2. The music, the food, the humor, the attire, and everything in between, authenticates the movie and cultural aspects being portrayed in the movie. If you are skeptical about watching another Pacific Islander movie where our history and culture is not accurately depicted, I would advise you to go into the theater with an open mind! Moana 2 has aspects of multiple different islands and cultures throughout the Pacific. It makes watching the movie very synonymous. It doesn't matter if you're Micronesian, Melanesian, or Polynesian, there are characteristics of all of us represented in the movie.
Representation
I want to end off this review with the fact Moana 2 has representation! With the extensive cast and supporting characters in the movie involved, like I mentioned before, this is for everyone. An elder can watch this movie and find themselves in it. The little cousin or sibling who always calls for their older counterpart can find themselves in Moana 2. The son or daughter who finds themselves always being the person who is stepping out in faith and pushing barriers whether in life or within family can find themselves represented in the movie.
I love how Moana 2 represents everyone. Maybe you're not a Pacific Islander, and you stumbled upon this write up, that is okay, just know you were represented in a movie. Your ancestors also had to travel and explore places that were unknown to them. Or maybe, you are exploring a new territory in your life? Moana 2 is an answer and a depiction of all walks of life exploring and finding their way to each other.
I won't spoil the movie, but I do want to leave off with we are stronger together. Unity is important and it is not wise for people to be alone in isolation. Through activation of our calling, authentication of our culture, and the representation in our community, we can collectively come together to go Beyond we can think or imagine.
Images provided by the featured individuals or sourced from their public social media profiles and online platforms. All rights remain with the original creators. Originally published in PMN+ Magazine, December 2024 (Vol. 1 No. 8).
December 2024 · Digital Magazine
