Yesterday, Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson joined stars, filmmakers and special guests at the Lanikūhonua Cultural Institute in Kapolei, Hawaii for Moana 2‘s world premiere.

The event kicked off with a special performance led by Tiana Nonosina Liufau, Kayla Fa’amaligi and Polynesian creatives celebrating the Pacific peoples, cultures and traditions that gave voice to the heart of the world. Moana story. There were also some critics present, so we already have some initial reactions.

Of course, the fact that at least some of the reporters below were flown to Hawaii by Disney for this splashy event, which means that, like most social responses, you should probably take them with a grain of salt.

It’s also worth pointing out that Disney seems to have less confidence in the sequel, as the review embargo won’t be lifted until the day before. Moana 2 arrives in theaters. That’s extremely late for one of the studio’s highest-profile films.

Yet it does sound that way when you look at it at first glance Moana is a solid follow-up to its 2016 predecessor. The numbers may not be as good, but considering this movie started out as a TV show before Disney CEO Bob Iger decided it should be released in theaters, the early news that this is good is impressive. Fingers crossed that the film will be delivered over Thanksgiving weekend.

Watch the first wave of Moana 2 comments below (via Toonado.com).

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical Moana 2 reunites Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an extensive new voyage along with a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her agile ancestors, Moana must journey to the distant seas of Oceania and dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike any she has experienced before.

The voice cast also includes Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Hualālai Chung, David Fane, Rose Matafeo, Awhimai Fraser, Gerald Ramsey and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, who lends her voice to Moana’s adoring and adorable sister, Simea.

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino. Moana 2 features music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. Jared Bush and Miller are writing the film, which is being produced by Jennifer Lee, Bush and Johnson.

Moana 2 hits theaters on November 27, 2024.