Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Moana 2 And What's Making Us Happy" Summary

Released on November 27, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosts Linda Holmes, Aisha Harris, Stephen Thompson, and guest Ronald Young Jr. delve into the latest installment of Disney's beloved franchise, "Moana 2," and explore various elements that bring joy to their lives. The conversation offers a balanced mix of enthusiasm and critical analysis, providing listeners with insightful perspectives on contemporary pop culture.

Moana 2: A Deeper Dive

Overview of "Moana 2"

The discussion begins with a brief overview of Disney's "Moana 2," where viewers catch up with the titular character, now a celebrated explorer and community hero. The sequel sees Moana embarking on a mission to reconnect her island with distant lands, aiming to mend bonds disrupted by a lingering curse. The film features returning voices from Auli'i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as the demigod Maui, alongside new songwriters Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Fuwai, and Mark Mancina.

Hosts’ Perspectives and Critiques

• Ronald Young Jr.’s Take ([03:51]):

  Ronald offers a nuanced critique, highlighting the film's structural challenges. "With three directors attached, it seemed like 'Moana 2' started off as a series, and parts of the movie felt more like a television episode than a cohesive film," he observes ([03:51]). He notes that this resulted in a pacing that didn't quite transcend the medium, leaving his experience "right down the middle" ([03:51]).

• Linda Holmes on Storytelling and Songwriting ([04:29] & [07:42]):

  Linda comments on the film's narrative complexity, stating, "The plot wanders in this one quite a bit more than it wanders in the first one," ([14:21]) suggesting that the sequel may feel like ticking off a checklist rather than delivering a seamless story. She also critiques the songwriting, noting similarities to Lin Manuel Miranda’s work and questioning whether the creators had the freedom to innovate: "If you're very familiar with some of his other work, you hear these little intervals and pieces of phrasing where it's like, yeah, this is him" ([07:42]).

• Aisha Harris’s Insights ([05:15] & [16:44]):

  Aisha appreciates the film's visual beauty, remarking, "It is one of the pinnacles of animation," ([05:15]) particularly praising moments like Moana envisioning her future with muted colors and strategic pops of color. However, she expresses reservations about the film's overall execution, drawing parallels to Disney's reliance on sequels: "Disney is constantly... but now it's stuck. And when you look at what they have coming for the next few years, most of them are sequels" ([15:23]).

• Auli'i Cravalho’s Performance ([02:53] & [08:06]):

  Auli'i delivers a reprise of Moana's character with added depth, though Aisha and Linda critique the similarity of Moana's new "I Want" song to the original, emphasizing a lack of originality: "It is kind of wild how similar they are" ([08:21]).

Character Dynamics and Animation Quality ([09:29] & [17:04]):

Ronald comments on the synergy between the voice actors and their characters, stating, "Dwayne Johnson as this character... he is electric," ([12:00]). Meanwhile, Linda lauds the animation's quality, particularly the realistic portrayal of Moana's hair, though she notes that despite the visual appeal, the narrative feels disjointed.

What's Making Us Happy This Week

Ronald Young Jr.: Pie Making and Kendrick Lamar's "gnx"

Ronald shares his recent joys, highlighting pie-making as a relaxing pastime: "When I'm making pies, it's very relaxing, very nice" ([20:18]). He also expresses excitement over Kendrick Lamar's new album, gnx, particularly praising the track "Dodger Blue": "If you're like, I don't wanna listen to the GNX album, which you probably should listen to... If you only can have time for one song, check out Dodger Blue" ([20:44]).

Aisha Harris: Stevie Wonder Podcast and Culinary Inspirations

Aisha discusses her passion for music, specifically a podcast series titled The Wonder of Stevie on Audible, hosted by Wesley Morris. She praises the in-depth exploration of Stevie Wonder's classic albums and their cultural contexts: "He is one of our national treasures... such a great listen" ([21:16]). Additionally, she mentions her enjoyment of a Slate article on the "25 Most Important Recipes of the Past Hundred Years," appreciating the blend of classic and contemporary culinary creations: "Eric Kim's cookie recipe from New York Times Cooking Gochujang Caramel Cookies, which are so good" ([22:44]).

Linda Holmes: Celebrating Animation and Family Time

Linda reflects on the enduring appeal of animated characters, particularly Maui, noting, "With all this said, I think the kids in the theater with me had a pretty good time. They laughed at Maui" ([17:52]). She appreciates the charm and expressive animation that resonate with younger audiences, reinforcing the show's ability to connect across generations.

Conclusion

The episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour provides a comprehensive and thoughtful examination of "Moana 2," balancing critical analysis with appreciation for its artistic achievements. Additionally, the hosts share personal sources of happiness, from culinary pursuits to musical explorations, enriching the conversation with relatable and varied content. Whether you're a Disney enthusiast or simply interested in diverse cultural insights, this episode offers valuable perspectives and engaging discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• Ronald Young Jr. ([03:51]): "With three directors attached, it seemed like 'Moana 2' started off as a series..."
• Linda Holmes ([07:42]): "If you're very familiar with some of his other work, you hear these little intervals..."
• Aisha Harris ([05:15]): "It is one of the pinnacles of animation."
• Ronald Young Jr. ([12:00]): "Dwayne Johnson as this character... he is electric."
• Ronald Young Jr. ([20:44]): "...if you only can have time for one song, check out Dodger Blue..."
• Aisha Harris ([21:16]): "...He is one of our national treasures."

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Produced by Liz Metzger and Huff Sapathama. Edited by Jessica Reedy and Mike Kasif. Theme music provided by Hello. Thank you for listening to Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR.