Moana 2 is not a complete disaster so much as a superfluous cash grab that has a hard time disguising its roots as a Disney+ series. It does at least clear the very low bar set by 2023’s abysmal Wish,

The 2018 original Moana movie featured music written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (who also worked on the music for Encanto ). In addition to the movie's anthem "How Far I'll Go" there were also a number of other bangers in the soundtrack like "Where You Are" and Maui's song "You're Welcome." Unfortunately, the music for the sequel is far weaker.

What made the first movie a roaring hit with the masses was not just the fresh story but also a particular songwriter’s genius. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote You’re Welcome and I Am Moana which became a huge sensation for the 2016 movie but he did not return for the new one.