The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theatersMoana 2missed a golden dramatic opportunity with Maui’s final moments in the film.Moana 2largely keeps Maui on the sidelines, leaving most of the action for the film’s first half centered around the titular hero and her crew as they venture across the ocean. Despite being billed as one ofMoana 2’s main characters, Maui really only joins the group far into the film. However, once he’s around, he plays a vital role in the film’s final stretch. It even builds to one of the movie’s most emotional moments, with Maui losing his demigod status while fighting Nalo.
This all builds to the deeply emotionalending ofMoana 2, where Maui cradles a dead Moana and watches as she is risen as a demigod by the ocean and her ancestors. This scene also reempowers Maui, restoring him to full power. While it’s a sweet moment (and ensures more of Mini Maui inMoana’s potential future), it’s a shame that the film couldn’t follow through one what seemed to be building to a very emotional turn for Maui. Giving Maui a more bittersweet role in the finale could have improved the ending of the film.
Maui Never Should Have Regained His Powers in Moana 2
Maui Regaining His Powers Right After Losing Them Robs The Moment Of Dramatic Stakes
Maui regaining his powersat the end ofMoana 2was a misstep that cost the film a potentially great emotional beat, especially if he sacrificed his powers to actually save Moana. Although Maui is able to lift Motufetu partly out of the ocean (enough at least for Moana to reach it by swimming), this leaves him open to be struck by Nalo’s full might and stripped of his demigod abilities.This is one of the film’s most dramatic beats, with a mournful Mini Maui even burning off Maui’s skin.
I’m So Glad Moana 2 Avoided A Cliche Relationship With New Character
Moana 2 managed to avoid a cliche relationship with a new character that saved the movie from potentially becoming another Disney animated romance.
However,the ending of the movie quickly undoes this plot development. While Maui watchesMoana be elevated to demigodstatus by the ocean in a bid to revive her after she’s killed raising Motufetu, he’s also restored to his full power by the ocean. This undercuts the sacrifice that Maui made in helping Moana, effectively undoing the emotional cost of Maui’s heroics. It’s a strange beat that comes suddenly as a means of helping give the film a more overtly happy ending, and detracts from the dramatic potential of the ending.
Maui Sacrificing His Powers For Moana Would Elevate The Film
Maui Could Have Given His Powers To Moana As A Form Of Self-Sacrifice
A possible way to actually improve the moment beyond keeping Maui powerless would have seen Maui sacrificing his demigodhood to bring back Moana. It’s established repeatedly in the film that Maui fears getting Moana involved in the fight with Nalo because he believes she won’t survive. Having seen his worst fear come true,it would have been more powerful if Maui then willingly gave up the powers that had made him an immortal heroand given them to Moana, allowing her to live at the cost of his own abilities.
Having Maui actively sacrifice his beloved powers instead of briefly losing them to external forces would have been far more emotionally resonant.
This could have given Maui’s efforts to pump up and inspire Moana earlier in the film a greater sense of personal tragedy, as his faith in her could come with a genuine cost. As it stands, a repowered Maui has proven his friendship to Moana, buthas escaped two godly-level threats with no real consequences. It repeats an aspect of the ending ofMoana, where a depowered Maui loses his fishhook but a god restores it. Having Maui actively sacrifice his beloved powers instead of briefly losing them to external forces would have been far more emotionally resonant.
A Bold Ending Could’ve Made Moana 2 Unforgettable
Maui’s Self-Sacrifice Could Have Amplified The Emotional Weight Of His Heroism
Closing outMoana 2with a more bittersweet turn for Maui could have brought extra depth to the film’s finale. Maui’s faith in himself beyond his godly powers was a major theme ofMoana, and seeing it reach a new apex through Maui actively sacrificing it would have been extremely compelling. It’s a tragic turn when he’s stripped of his abilities by Nalo, but having to make the choice himself would have added a more heroic element to the moment.Restoring his powers almost immediately undercuts any sense of loss or sacrificethat the film earned in his heroic sacrifice.
Instead, Maui recognizing his own worth as a person and willingly giving up the divinity that once defined him to save his best friend would have been a more personal and emotional sacrifice. Having Maui willinglygive his powers up to help save Moana would have given their connection a greater weight, and would have improved Maui’s arc across both films. As it stands, Maui and Moana both get a fully happy ending inMoana 2, and don’t achieve the full potential of a more bittersweet approach to that plot turn.
Moana 2
Cast
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 the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.
