Disney’s Moana 2– featuring the voices of Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson – is new in theaters on Wednesday. How are critics reacting to the sequel to the 2016 animated blockbuster?

Moana 2 will be previewed on Tuesday before launching nationwide on Wednesday. The official logline for Moana 2 reads: “After receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors to guide her way, Moana must travel to the distant seas of Oceania and dangerous, long-lost waters to experience an adventure unlike any she has ever experienced before .”

Cravalho reprises her voice role as Moana Moana 2as Johnson returns to speak Maui.

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In the first round of reviews published on Rotten tomatoesCritics have so far spoken in unison Moana 2 a 71% “fresh” rating based on 51 reviews.

In contrast to RT Critics who reviewed the first one Moana In 2016, the film received an excellent 95% “fresh” rating based on 286 reviews.

The RT Critics consensus for the original Moana reads: “With a title character as three-dimensional as her lush animation and a story that adds new depth to Disney’s tried-and-tested formula, Moana is truly a family-friendly adventure for the ages.”

Moana It also received a “fresh” audience score of 89% based on over 50,000 verified user reviews.

What do individual critics say about Moana 2?

Among the RT critics who have given Moana 2 A “fresh” review are India Block of the London Evening Standard. Block writes: The animation is even more beautiful because you can see every grain of sand and every drop of sea spray. Given this good artistic quality, the question arises as to why a live-action remake is even needed.”

Owen Gleiberman from diversity isn’t nearly as enthusiastic in his review of the film, but still gives it a “fresh” review, writing: “Moana 2 is a good film, an above-average rollercoaster ride for children and, in some ways, a piece of pure product Moanaat best, transcended.”

Brian Truitt also gave Moana 2 a “fresh” review praising the film’s stars. In his USA today In the review, Truitt writes, “While it’s not quite as stunning, the sequel still capitalizes on its best assets: the sublime Auli’i Cravalho brings added depth to the feisty wanderer Moana, while Johnson brings powerful sass to the endlessly muscular sidekick Maui.” ”

Among the RT critics who gave Moana 2 A “bad” review is Lovia Gyarke who writes The Hollywood Reporter“Where Moana focused on the relationship between the titular adventurer and her reluctant demigod companion, Moana 2 divides his attention between several characters. These personalities become window dressing in a film that doesn’t have enough time.”

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Tim Grierson from Screen International gave too Moana 2 a “poor” review on RT that said: “What once seemed so effortlessly charming about this young pathfinder forging her own path is in part two, becoming increasingly complicated and stilted – it’s a journey that frustratingly goes nowhere.”

The first Moana The film was of course a huge financial success. Accordingly The numbers, Moana The film earned $248.7 million domestically and nearly $437.4 million overseas for a worldwide box office total of $686.1 million against a production budget of $150 million before print and advertising.

Rated PG, Moana 2 will be shown in previews on Tuesday before hitting theaters nationwide on Wednesday.

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