As a longtime Disney enthusiast and someone who has watched countless animated films over the years, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and intrigue presented in Moana 2. The way the story seamlessly tied together elements from both the original Moana and Maui’s backstories while setting up a grand fantasy adventure franchise left me eagerly anticipating what’s to come.
Warning: This Article Contains MAJOR Spoilers for Moana 2
As a dedicated fan, I’m eagerly anticipating the grand splash that Moana 2 intends to make at the Thanksgiving box office. After three consecutive disappointing holiday releases from Walt Disney Animation, this upcoming film presents an opportunity for a well-deserved victory. Although Encanto managed to captivate a large audience on Disney+, it’s clear that we all crave a theatrical hit. The motivation for such a decision seems to have stemmed from upgrading the initially planned Moana Disney+ series into the now-completed Moana 2. In this sequel, set three years after the original film, Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) embarks on a fresh adventure to unite her people with others from around the globe. Joining her on this journey is a new crew, with some familiar faces returning, including demi-god Maui (Dwayne Johnson).
Fans should stay seated during the credits of “Moana 2” to catch Auli’i Cravalho’s powerful rendition of “Somewhere,” but there’s an additional reason: “Moana 2” includes a mid-credit scene, unlike the original film which ended with a humorous gag involving Tamatoa the Crab (Jemaine Clement) stuck on his back and making a witty reference to “The Little Mermaid.” Instead, the post-credit scene of “Moana 2” aligns more with the Marvel Cinematic Universe by hinting at future adventures for Moana and Maui and a looming larger threat.
The Ending of ‘Moana 2,’ Including the Mid-Credits Scenes
In the mid-credits sequence of Moana 2, the character Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), previously portrayed as Maui’s captor, shares a secret with Moana. It turns out that Matangi has been working for Moana all along and seeks her help to vanquish the malevolent deity Nalo. The divided peoples of the ocean need reconnection, as Nalo, who split them apart, believed his power would increase if they remained separated.
If Moana manages to overcome Nalo, it means that Matangi will regain her freedom from her confinement. Before leaving the main storyline, she tells Moana they may meet again someday. In the film, we witness Moana, Maui, and their new team defeating Nalo and raising Motufetū island. Although Nalo’s physical presence is never shown, we get a glimpse of his immense power throughout the narrative.
In the extra scene after the credits, Nalo (Tofiga Fepulea’i) is seen seated on a throne and conversing with Matangi. Matangi acts clueless about how Moana and Maui managed to overcome him, but Nalo suspects her ruse and keeps her captive instead. Nalo warns Matangi that this is just the start, as he now plans to pursue Moana and Maui for their disobedience. As if to confirm his threat, Tamatoa, a familiar figure, appears, cackling menacingly.
After rising from the post-credit scene in Moana, Tamatoa’s shimmering shell has vanished entirely, leaving him bare. In search of retribution against Moana and Maui, Tamatoa now plots his revenge. To add a humorous touch before the film’s credits finish playing, he sings a fresh tune.
What This Means for the Future of ‘Moana’
It appears that the post-credits scene of Moana 2 hints at the production of Moana 3 by Walt Disney Animation Studios. This isn’t surprising since the studio has been focusing more on sequels recently, with three animated sequels in six years – Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), Frozen II (2019), and potentially Moana 3 in Thanksgiving weekend of 2028. However, it’s too early to expect Moana 3 for Thanksgiving 2026, as Disney might want to give the live-action Moana movie, set for release in summer 2026, some breathing room before releasing Moana 3.
The hint for a second season’s plotline seems to have been foreshadowed right from the start, considering that Moana 2 was initially conceptualized as a Disney+ series. It appears that this sneak peek was meticulously prepared to set up the narrative for Season 2. With Nalo being unveiled as not only the antagonist of Moana 2, but also the one orchestrating pivotal events from the first movie involving both Moana and Maui, he has become the principal villain of the entire film series. Now, Nalo will target Moana, with Tamatoa serving as his right-hand man. His objective is to retaliate against her and attack those she cherishes dearly, in response to her disobedience towards his ambition to unite the diverse peoples across the ocean.
As for now, Nalo may keep Matangi captive, but it’s evident that she’ll manage to escape and join forces with Moana and Maui to thwart him. Their bond, particularly between Maui, runs deep and could be further delved into in the sequel. In the second installment of Moana, she gained demigod powers, which suggests a formidable alliance of demigods facing off against Nalo and his minions of darkness. However, it’s Moana who will probably rally diverse people from across the sea that will be her greatest weapon against Nalo. This uniting theme is likely to persist in the third movie, highlighting the idea that unity remains a powerful force against adversity. With an array of cultures and individuals supporting her, Moana might possess power beyond what Nalo anticipates.
It appears that, similar to Frozen II, Moana 2 seems to be designed as the start of a grand fantasy adventure series rather than a standalone film. Both sequels leave room for further tales, and they both construct their characters into teams reminiscent of traditional quest stories. Since Frozen 4 has been confirmed, there’s a strong possibility that Moana might not end with just three films but could become an ongoing series. This is exciting news for Moana fans, but it may be disheartening to Disney enthusiasts who anticipate more original productions from Walt Disney Animation instead of relying on sequels.
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2024-11-27 22:32