Why Moana Needs a Sequel
Posted by Justin Grainger on
Cinema today is in the golden age of sequels, reboots, spinoffs, and shared universes. If you’ve been paying any attention to pop culture at all in the past few months, you know that Mulan, Indiana Jones, and - wait for it - the Little Mermaid are all getting remakes or live action reboots in 2020. Here’s why one of our more recent favorites, the beloved Moana, should get a sequel (or maybe a live action reboot? Is the world ready?) too.
Moana Tells it Like it Is
Moana isn’t afraid to share her emotions loudly and proudly, even when they differ from one moment to the next. She could be singing her praises of her island’s community and her family’s work ethic one moment and telling her father she feels trapped the next. Moana is unapologetic about her feelings, and kids could only benefit from seeing more of that on the big screen and in their living rooms, between giant handfuls of popcorn.
The Soundtrack
Moana’s soundtrack is top-five status in the universe of Disney movies with iconic scores and unforgettable ballads. This is a soundtrack that you can listen to without your kids, and even that people without kids will not admit they listen to in their car on the way to work. We can only imagine what the soundtrack to the sequel would be like, but given the bar that’s been set, we can expect great things.
Moana Has a Prime Sidekick
Hei Hei may be the most deceptively simple animal sidekick in Disney movie history. Forget the complexities of Sebastian in the Little Mermaid or Iago in the original Aladdin (fun fact: the live action Aladdin, which came out in May 2019, featured the same voice actor in the role of Iago who also voiced Hei Hei in Moana). Hei Hei cuts to the chase by using no actual words, yet communicating his needs quite effectively through actions. He is also persistent even when it comes to things like trying to eat a rock. And Hei Hei comes through when it really matters (but we won’t spoil the movie, in case you haven’t seen it yet).
The Family Values
Just as Moana expresses her feelings openly no matter what they are, so does she have a deep conviction about what her family means to her and what she will do to protect them. Moana shows that being young and free doesn’t have to be exclusive of shouldering responsibility and committing to those you love.
The Awesome Outfits
The outfits in Moana may often be cast as second fiddle next to the costuming of Frozen, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and the Little Mermaid. But don’t discount Moana when shopping for your child’s next dress up outfit. The wigs alone are incredibly fun to wear - try whipping that long hair over your shoulder and see if you don’t feel like taking a sail across the open sea. And the icing on the cake? You can even get your child their very own Hei Hei stuffy.