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Disney's 'Moana 2' Eyes $135 Million Debut, Reuniting Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson Despite Mixed Reviews

Nov 26, 2024, 05:30 PM

Disney's "Moana 2", directed by Dana Ledoux Miller, Jason Hand, and David G. Derrick Jr., is set to release in theaters this week, eight years after the original 2016 animated hit "Moana". The film reunites stars Auli'i Cravalho, now 24, as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui, and had its UK premiere recently. Originally intended as a Disney+ series, "Moana 2" was developed into a theatrical release, aiming to recapture the magic of the original film. Early reviews are mixed, with the film currently holding a 72% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 43 reviews, compared to the first film's 95%. Critics praise the visual animation and the continuation of Moana's story but note that the songs lack the impact of Lin-Manuel Miranda's contributions to the original soundtrack. Box office projections suggest "Moana 2" could break Thanksgiving weekend records, with an expected debut of $135 million to $145 million over the five-day opening, potentially surpassing "Frozen 2's" $125 million record. Moana's return emphasizes the importance of culture and representation, with Auli'i Cravalho expressing pride in portraying a Polynesian heroine. While the sequel may not fully recapture the magic of the first film, it offers a visually stunning adventure for audiences.