As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of experience in the industry, I must say that Disney’s announcement of Moana 2 has left me both intrigued and skeptical. With its roots in a planned Disney+ series and its sudden shift to a feature film sequel, the decision seems like a calculated move rather than an organic one. However, upon delving deeper into the process, I find myself impressed by the filmmakers’ dedication to storytelling and character development.
The creators of “Moana 2” have discussed the implications of transforming a Disney+ TV show into a theatrical sequel. On February 7, 2024, Disney surprised everyone with the unveiling of “Moana 2”, particularly when they disclosed it would be premiering in theaters this Thanksgiving weekend. The unexpected revelation was possible due to reports that “Moana 2” was actually developed from the initial plans for a “Moana” series on Disney+, which was first announced at Disney Investor Day in December 2020.
In a fresh feature for Entertainment Weekly, the creators delved into transforming the Moana streaming series into what will become Moana 2. As stated by Disney Animation President Jennifer Lee in relation to the shift to cinematic release:
As it continued to grow and become more spectacular, our anticipation heightened. We yearned to witness this masterpiece unfold on a large cinema screen. It organically transformed, making it seem as if it was destined for the silver screen…Discussions were had about backing our local theaters. Although we adore Disney+, it’s eventual home seemed clear. The scale of the project could have been adapted to various platforms, but these artists craft tales with the intention of sharing them on the big screen and allowing the world to experience their magic there as well.
The choice to transform Moana’s TV series into a full-length film might appear as a purely business-driven move to some, but Lee emphasized that this wasn’t the case. Instead, she suggested, it was about finding the most effective means to narrate the story, rather than any financial incentives. She put it simply: “It’s not about business; it’s about the best way to tell the story.
“Our philosophy is always that the idea has to come from the filmmakers. You can’t invent a story that isn’t meant to be. You have to go from the heart out. If we do it the other way, we can’t build an authentic story. Story, to us, is always character first.”
Taking a Television Show and Turning it Into a Movie is Nothing New For Disney
Over the past few years, Disney Animation has grown more inclined towards making sequels. Prior to 2010, their only cinematic sequel was The Rescuers Down Under. However, since then, they have produced numerous sequels such as Ralph Breaks the Internet, Frozen II, the upcoming Zootopia 2, and two more Frozen sequels currently in development. Additionally, Disney has a habit of transforming abandoned animated series into straight-to-video films, like Belle’s Magical World from 1998, Cinderella II: Dreams Come True from 2002, and Atlantis: Milo Returns from 2003.
It was initially thought that Moana 2 might be just a compilation of several episodes from a series, but it turns out that’s not the case at all. Instead, there’s been a comprehensive reworking. Dialogue from the original script has been significantly altered, some songs have been replaced with new ones, and the entire production has undergone a transformation. Director David Derrick Jr. clarified this point.
In the series, there was a greater opportunity to explore some aspects of the ensemble. To focus more on what we adore most about Moana as our protagonist and explorer, the changes were made. Now, all these elements are present and they shine brighter than ever, particularly with the grandeur that comes with the big-screen presentation. Every aspect of the adventure that was initially established in the series has been amplified tenfold, making it ten times more thrilling.
In “Moana 2,” we meet a fresh set of characters such as Moana’s younger sister Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), along with three new crew members – Moni (Hualālai Chung), Kele (David Fane), and Loto (Rose Matafeo). They join forces with Moana and Maui on their voyage. Originally, these characters would have had individual storylines in the television series, but for the movie, they’ve been streamlined. However, since so much effort was invested in character development, they are now more nuanced and have been distilled to their most distinctive traits, as explained by co-director Dana Ledoux Miller.
Although [new characters] don’t have individual story arcs, we managed to identify their roles and emphasize their impact on the plot. We get to exaggerate their best traits – from one character’s grumpiness to another’s eccentricities. The enjoyment we derive from them really comes to life when they appear, making them stand out brilliantly.
The upcoming movie, Moana 2, has garnered its fair share of doubters due to the somewhat tainted reputation associated with turning a Disney animated series into a full-length film. However, it seems that the creators have put in the effort to make this sequel shine. Similar to Inside Out 2 released earlier this summer, Moana 2 has the potential to captivate audiences unexpectedly and produce a follow-up film that matches the brilliance of the original while also demonstrating the blockbuster potential that these modern Disney titles possess, transforming them into massive franchises.
Moana 2
opens in theaters on November 27, 2024.
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2024-09-13 03:31