Disney’s Moana 2 brings Polynesian culture to life with heartfelt storytelling, beautiful animation, and deep respect for tradition. It touches on family and it’s celebration of heritage.
At the heart of the movie is the relationship between Moana and her younger sister, Simea, played by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda. Their bond is filled with love and support. One standout moment shows Moana teaching Simea how to navigate using the stars, a practice rooted in Polynesian wayfinding traditions this highlights the passing of knowledge between generations.
Roco Faalili, a senior at Olympia High School and a member of the Polynesian community, shared their thoughts on the film. “There was a tradition that stood out to me, especially to Samoan culture, called the Kava ceremony,” Faalili said. “In the scene, Moana sits across from her dad and is handed kava as part of a ceremony to accept her title as a Matai (chief in Samoan).” he countied. It added to the themes leadership and heritage.
Mary Jane Roney, another senior at Olympia High School, shares something in the film she found interesting: “ Where they talked about telling stories was interesting. The elders teach the younger generations. It was cool that they had so much respect for their elders. It was beautiful the way they showed Moana’s relationship with her grandma and how important she was to the movies and overall how important the ancestors were to the whole community.” she says
The visuals are one the film’s strongest elements with details showing Polynesian craftsmanship. Patterns on siapo (tapa cloth), traditional tattoos, and the beauty of the islands are animated with authenticity. The ocean, a living being in the story, plays a big role in Moana’s journey. In one scene, the ocean lifts Moana’s canoe above a storm, then gently calms her path. The relationship between Moana and the sea feels spiritual and shows nature is deeply respected in her culture.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in his role as Maui brings humor and depth to the demigod. Maui’s mentorship of Moana is a key part of the story, he teaches her about balancing strength with humility. In one important scene, Maui shapeshifts and demonstrates how to work with the ocean rather than against it. His lessons emphasize the importance of harmony with nature a theme that is key to the film.
The spiritual connection between Moana and her ancestors is a powerful aspect of the story. In one scene, Moana sees a vision of her ancestors guiding her, singing a song that echoes their shared legacy. This moment shows the movie’s message about the importance of honoring the past while also moving ahead to the future
When asked what he hoped viewers would take away from the movie, Faalili said, “Something I want everyone to take away from Moana 2 is we are separated by land, but we are always going to be connected by water.” His comment reflects one of the film’s key messages the ocean doesn’t divide, it unites.
The movie’s climax trades action for emotion, focusing on unity and connection. Moana and her people set sail to reunite with other islands, creating glowing ocean pathways that link them together. This symbolizes the shared history and unity of the Pacific. It showcases that there are many different types of people who live and celebrate the ocean but through the ocean, they are connected as one.
The film is a celebration of Polynesian culture, but Faalili wants viewers to dig deeper “ I hope everyone goes deeper into research about Polynesian culture because watching a Disney movie wouldn’t go into much depth as someone explaining it to you.”
The first half of the movie was slower and less action-packed thus it allowed there to be more time for its themes of connection and identity to take center. Scenes like the canoe-building, where the village works together while singing traditional songs reflect the strength of the communities.
Faalili joked about what they would change about the film “I would star Roco Faalili in the movie.”
Moana 2 is not just a sequel but a celebration of culture, history, and resilience. It’s a heartfelt story while honoring the traditions it represents. Highlighting the beauty and strength of identity.
