Animation has the power to reach a broader audience, and projects like Moana and Lulu Is a Rhinoceros are important to the actor in different ways, including language.

“You know, I’m working now on the Ōlelo Hawaiʻi or the Hawaiian translation of Moana 2,” Cravalho tells Nerd Reactor. “I worked with such an incredible gracious team on the first translation with the University of Hawaii, because it’s all done separately and away from California and the the big Mickey Mouse hat that we usually record our films at. So I recognize the waves that animation makes and their translations as well to have it in our native tongue in Hawaiʻi that makes truly an impact.

“My younger cousins who went to ʻAha Pūnana Leo, or Hawaiian Immersion Schools, as part of their curriculum, and that is the power of art that we hopefully will forever be able to see. The projects like Lulu as well are able to reach such a broad audience.”

Lulu Is a Rhinoceros is about spreading kindness, and one of the messages is the power of friendship.

“It’s so central to our film,” she said. “We’ve got Hip-Hop Bunny, we’ve got Cory the cow. It seems childish to say that friendship makes all the difference, but it does. Anyone who has ever been in a dark place or has needed support and chosen to reach out to their chosen family or their friends or a co-worker knows that it really does help to have people on the journey with you. And Lulu proves that as well, that it is a long journey to get to Community Unity Day, which she was so excited to go to at the top of her day. And through outside forces, she begins to wonder if she is who she is, you know, that her identity begins to be questioned. And it’s through these friendships that she regains her sense of self.”

About Lulu Is a Rhinoceros

Synopsis: Lulu is a rhinoceros – that’s who she sees when she looks in the mirror. On a quest to spread kindness, fun-loving Lulu embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, powered by new friends, courage and catchy songs!

The cast includes Auliʻi Cravalho as “Lulu” (“Moana”), Alex Newell as “Cory” (“Glee”), Dulé Hill as “Flom Flom” (“Psych”), Paul Rust as “Finn” (“Love”) and Utkarsh Ambudkar as “Hip-Hop” (“Ghosts”).

Produced by Propagate Content and Bento Box Animation, “Lulu Is a Rhinoceros” is developed by Jason and Allison Flom, who serve as executive producers alongside Brett Coker, Scott Greenberg and Dana Tafoya-Cameron. Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, and Rodney Ferrell executive produce for Propagate Content.

Allison Flom serves as head writer for the inspiring musical which features original songs by Golden Globe nominee Leland, with lyrics by Allison Flom. Jina Hyojin An & Shirley Song (“BE@RBRICK”) provide an original score. Angela Stempel directs the musical special.

Lulu Is a Rhinoceros debuts on Apple TV+ on Friday, May 30, 2025.

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Moana 2 was directed by Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller and David Derrick Jr from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. The Moana sequel features songs by Barlow and Bear with Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprising their roles as Moana and Maui, respectively.

Spoiler Warning for Moana 2 Ending

At the end of Moana 2, Moana becomes a demigod after being revived thanks to Maui, Tautai Vasa and Moana’s ancestors. Maui gets his powers back as a demigod and lifts the island of Motufetu above the ocean, reconnecting the people. With Moana now a demigod, what will this mean for Moana 3?

“As filmmakers, we love it when people ask questions after they see our film,” Derrick Jr. tells Nerd Reactor. “It creates conversation and even debate. We set out to make a film that would celebrate the fact that in our lives, we are always growing, evolving and changing. We never stop choosing who we are. And I love that we leave it open, but very clear that Moana has become a demigod. What that means is yet to be discovered.”

“At the end of the first film, there’s a sense of almost infinite possibilities that Moana has that she’s out there on her canoe going out,” Hand added. “What does that mean? We enjoyed the fact that there’s a similar feeling to that. It’s much different because there are more pieces to the puzzle now with her being a demigod. What does that mean when she puts that oar into the water and you see this incredible piece of magic that goes out from that? I love that there’s a possibility for us to tell more stories. What that is we’ll see.”

The sequel introduces new characters including Moni and Matangi. Moni, voiced by Hualālai Chung, is part of Moana’s wayfinding crew and a huge Maui fan. Matangi, voiced by Awhimai Fraser, serves Nalo, a storm god who sunk the island of Motufetu.

“I screamed at my seat and went, ‘Yes! Let’s see what’s going to happen,'” said Fraser. “I think it’s really fascinating to see the relationship between Matangi and Nalo and to explore the ‘deal’ that was going on there. She thought she was free but she’s now she’s not. What’s happening? I would really love to see her explore a world with Moana instead of toying with her so much. I think she could be a little bit more supportive in the next one.”

“I think for me I’m so grateful that everybody wants to see more of the story,” Chung said. “I think what I would love to see more from Moni is to actually see him build a relationship with Maui. He’s been such a fanboy on the outskirts of who Maui is this whole time, and right at the end of the movie, you actually kind of see them getting along and starting to build somewhat of a relationship. So to see how they can go back and forth and see the comedy that it brings and the warmheartedness that it brings, that would be awesome.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda was one of the songwriters for the first Moana film with songs such as “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” “You’re Welcome,” and “We Know the Way.” In Moana 2, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear were tasked with the songs, which included “Beyond,” “What Could Be Better Than This?” “Get Lost” and “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?”

“All the writing sessions,” Bear said of the songs where they had to let loose creatively. “I mean, if you get too in your head, then you’re in this vicious cycle where it’s just bad, and then you just end up going nowhere. The song ‘Get Lost’ is all about forgetting the world that you live in, letting yourself feel that uncomfortableness, and letting yourself forge a new path. Because taking all the old paths isn’t going to work, and that’s scary.”

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Moana 2 follows Moana’s unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors urging her to journey into the dangerous, uncharted waters of long-lost oceans. Accompanied by Maui and a new, eclectic crew, Moana sets out to expand her horizons and confront challenges that push her to the limits.

In Moana 2, Moana truly shines as a skilled Wayfinder. Watching her grow from a determined island girl into a hero charting her path is inspiring and satisfying. Additionally, the new characters in the sequel are enjoyable and add a lot of depth to the story. It’s impressive how they introduced fresh faces without them feeling forced or gimmicky—something that often happens in sequels. Each character has a distinct personality, and the film allows them to shine at various points in the movie.

Visually, the sequel matches the original’s high standard. The animation captures the beauty and vastness of the ocean with vivid colors and fluidity. While there aren’t any distinct artistic departures from the first film, that’s not a criticism—Disney’s animation was stunning then, and it’s just as impressive now. The ocean, in particular, remains a standout character, brought to life through breathtaking animation.

Moana 2 is a magical and entertaining film with a compelling story, lovable characters, and dazzling visuals.

Unfortunately, the absence of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical touch is keenly felt. While the songs are enjoyable, they lack the immediate, earworm-like quality of hits like “How Far I’ll Go” or “You’re Welcome.” Still, the soundtrack has some catchy tunes like “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” or “What Could Be Better Than This?” Also, the film’s antagonist and conflict aren’t explained well. The information is slim, and it looks like it might be saved for future Moana projects.

Despite the less memorable soundtrack, Moana 2 manages to live up to its predecessor’s legacy. The story feels fresh rather than a retread, and the characters’ journeys are as impactful as the first time. Fans of the original will find plenty to love, and newcomers can dive into this sequel without missing a beat.

For those considering how to watch Moana 2, 4DX is, without question, the top choice. The 4DX elements transform the viewing into an interactive Disney ride. From the moment Moana sets sail, the motion chairs simulate the rocking of the waves while air blasts and water sprays immerse you in the stormy sequences. The adventurous and ocean-themed setting of Moana 2 is a perfect fit for the 4DX format, and the immersive experience makes every ocean wave and gust of wind feel tangible. It’s like experiencing a simulator ride at Disneyland while watching a Disney animated film.

Overall, Moana 2 is a magical and entertaining film with a compelling story, lovable characters, and dazzling visuals. It’s a sequel that honors the original. While the music may not be as impactful, the overall experience—especially in 4DX—makes it worth watching.

Rating: 3.5/5 atoms

Moana 2 hits theaters on November 27th.

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On August 9th, Friday at D23’s Disney Entertainment showcase, Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho were on stage to promote the upcoming film from Walt Disney Animation Studios and reveal to fans the new trailer. Fans will be excited to see the return of the gang including Moana, Maui, Heihei and Pua.

During the studio showcase, Cravalho performed live on stage one of the film’s new songs, “We’re Back,” with dancers and drummers from Nonosina Polynesia. The Polynesian performance was directed by Tiana Liufau, who was pivotal in the animation reference choreography for the original and sequel.

About Moana 2

Joining Johnson and Cravalho are returning stars Rachel House (Moana’s Grandma, Tala), Temuera Morrison (Moana’s father, Chief Tui) and Nicole Scherzinger (Moana’s mother, Sina). The film also features the voices of Hualālai Chung, David Fane and Rose Matafeo as Moana’s new crew members Moni, Kele and Loto, respectively. Awhimai Fraser voices mysterious new character Matangi; Gerald Ramsey plays Moana’s ancestor, Tautai Vasa; and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda lends her voice to Moana’s adoring and adorable little sister, Simea.

Synopsis: Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, “Moana 2” features music by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa‘i, and Mark Mancina. Jared Bush and Miller are writing the film, which is executive produced by Jennifer Lee, Bush and Johnson.

Moana 2 releases in theaters on November 27, 2024.

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A first-look image and special look for Moana 2 were released.

The first-look announcement video features Moana landing on a small island and blowing on a conch. In addition, fans of the soundtrack will recognize “Tulou Tagaloa” by Olivia Foa’i during the unveiling of the Moana 2 title. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson can also be heard shouting with excitement in the background near the end.

The first-look image shows off Moana, Maui, and the crew as they sail on the ocean and witness what looks like a whale or whale shark. It’s a beautiful image of nature shining bright in the night sky.

Moana 2 and its theatrical release date in November 2024 was announced by Bob Iger, The Walt Disney Company CEO.

“Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise,” said Iger, “and we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when ‘Moana 2’ comes to theaters this November.”

About Moana 2

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.

The film is directed by Dave Derrick Jr. with music by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina.

Moana 2 sails into theaters on November 27, 2024.

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