Moana 2016 Movie Summary, Ending Explained & Themes

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. Immediately after Heihei eats the heart during an encounter with little pygmy pirates known as Kakamora, the Kakamora steal Heihei forcing Moana to retrieve it, after Maui learns of her inability to sail when they try to escape. After Moana retrieves Heihei from the Kakamora, Maui is able to get their massive sailboats to collide into each other and the three make it out unharmed. In order to do so, he needs his hook which is hidden in the Realm of Monsters, held by a giant villainous coconut crab named Tamatoa.

Main Characters

However, her father is infuriated to hear Moana has discovered their ancestors’ boats and proceeds to burn them, despite Moana’s objections. Their argument is cut short when they hear that Gramma Tala is suddenly dying, leading Moana and her father to stand by his mother’s deathbed. The goddess revives the dying islands across the world, and restores Moana’s boat and Maui’s fishhook. Moana asks Maui to return home with her, but Maui gently declines, showing Moana a new tattoo on his body, inspired by her heroism.

Moana 2016

• The movie unfolds in a time where ancient Polynesian navigation and traditions are at the forefront, reflecting the importance of the ocean in their culture.
• The ocean’s refusal to return the heart directly to Te Fiti initially appears as a plot inconsistency, but it can be understood as a reflection of Te Fiti’s fiery, damaged state—she can’t touch water while in her corrupted form.
• Tala reveals that she was there the day the ocean chose Moana and gave her the heart of Te Fiti, and still has it in her possession.
• Unwilling to lose his hook in another confrontation, Maui abandons a tearful Moana who asks the ocean to find someone else to restore the heart and loses hope.
• Maui continues Moana’s mentoring in wayfinding, eventually turning her into a master navigator on par with her ancestors, though Maui contends that she may have surpassed them.
• Unknown to Moana, Nalo, furious at having his curse broken by her and Maui, swears revenge on both of them.

Together, they stand on the brink of a daring voyage that will test bravery, ingenuity, and the strength of cultural heritage. The tone balances light‑hearted wonder with the seriousness of a people’s survival, inviting the audience to share in a tale where the greatest discoveries are often about who we become when we listen to the call of the sea. The legend of the demigod, Maui, looms large in the island’s stories—an exuberant, larger‑than‑life figure whose charisma and power are matched only by his mischievous nature. When the currents of fate bring them together, his presence adds both humor and a hint of ancient magic to the unfolding adventure.

• This discovery excited Moana, prompting her to ask her grandmother why they stopped sailing the ocean.
• They are attacked by Kakamora, coconut pirates who seek the heart, but Moana and Maui outwit them.
• To avoid similar problems, they pitched three new ideas, and in 2011 started developing the film based on an original idea.
• Along the way, she meets the mighty demigod Maui–together they cross the ocean on a fun-filled, action-packed voyage from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
• Feeling powerful, Tamatoa attacks Maui and imprisons Moana to prevent her from interfering.
• Maui reveals to Moana he became a demigod after his mortal parents abandoned him, the gods took pity on him and granted him powers.

Moana Characters

His fear of the ocean stems from a tragic past, creating tension between his love for Moana and his desire to keep her safe. Tui’s character showcases the struggle between tradition and embracing change. Through her courage and revelation about Te Ka’s true identity, she strives to restore the heart to its rightful place. Determined, Moana sets sail to find Maui, despite her inexperience in sailing.

Um filme de veteranos

Maui is more concerned with Moana’s boat, which he steals by trapping Moana in a cave. She uses her wits and agility to escape, and catches up to Maui with the help of the ocean. Moana orders him to return the heart, but upon seeing it, Maui tries to leave the boat, only to be brought back by the ocean. He claims the heart is cursed, something Moana refuses to believe until they fall under attack by a band of pirates called the Kakamora. Believing she’s failed as a sailor, Moana declares that she is not fit for the sea and wishes to place her stone on the mountain. She tells this to Gramma Tala, who responds by showing Moana a hidden cave created by their ancestors long ago.

Animated by

Together the crew face Nalo with the humans Moana distracting Nalo so that Maui can raise the island. The plan goes astray so Moana dives in and successfully touches the sunken island, breaking the curse. Maui and the ancestors (including her grandmother) revive Moana and turn her into a demigoddess herself. Unknown to her, Nalo has captured Matangi and is planning his revenge against Moana, with Tamatoa offering to aid him on it. Later, when Moana becomes chief, she and her father lead their people in voyaging across the seas, strengthening their relationship as her father finally lets go of his fear of traveling on the ocean. She mournfully confesses her incompetence and demands that the ocean chooses someone else to restore the heart.

Moana (character)

While the crew finds Maui, Moana meets Matangi and learns that she is not happy serving Nalo. Matangi helps Moana escape and reunite with Maui and her friends, before sending them to where Nalo is. Moana 2 premiered at the Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute in Kapolei, Hawaii, on November 21, 2024, and was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in the United States on November 27. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $1.059 billion worldwide, outgrossing its predecessor and becoming the third highest-grossing film of 2024. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. A follow-up to Moana was originally developed as a miniseries for Disney+, but by February 2024 it had been reworked into a theatrical sequel.