The Magic of Moana… and the Headache of Its Sequel
Moana 2 had everything going for it—beloved characters, a built-in fanbase, and the promise of another epic oceanic journey. And yet, somewhere between nostalgia and spectacle, the film took a nosedive. Literally.
One scene in particular has been driving me up the wall: Moana's impossible underwater descent. You know the one—she dives deep, deep into the ocean to retrieve an island from the depths, only to get struck by lightning and resurrected moments later. Cool visual? Sure. But physically possible? Not a chance.
Disney has always balanced magic with a certain degree of believability. The first Moana did this beautifully—mixing mythology with grounded, character-driven storytelling. But Moana 2? It asks us to accept a moment so scientifically absurd that even the most die-hard Disney fans are side-eyeing the screen.
How Deep Is Too Deep?
Let's get one thing straight: humans can't just dive into the abyss without consequence. Water pressure increases dramatically as you descend, and Moana isn't exactly wearing deep-sea diving gear. Without specialized equipment (or, you know, gills), she should've been crushed by the pressure before reaching her goal. And let's not even start on the ocean currents, which would've tossed her around like a piece of driftwood.
Could the ocean have helped her, like it did in the first film? Maybe. But the movie itself tells us this part of the ocean is disconnected from the spiritual forces Moana usually relies on. So… she's on her own. And yet, she makes the dive effortlessly. Disney magic, or lazy storytelling?
The Ripple Effect: What Happens When an Island Rises From the Ocean?
Fine, let's suspend disbelief and assume Moana somehow survives the dive. There's still the issue of what happens next: an entire island rising from the ocean floor. That's a monumental event—one that should've triggered massive waves, possibly even a tsunami. The film, however, plays it off as a triumphant moment, ignoring the potential destruction it could've caused.
It's like Disney forgot that physics exists. The sheer force of displacing that much water would send shockwaves across the ocean, affecting Moana's tribe and countless others. But instead of acknowledging any real-world consequences, the film shrugs it off in favor of a neat, happy ending.
Should Moana Have Stayed a TV Series?
Here's the thing: Moana 2 was originally planned as a TV show. And maybe it should've stayed that way. A series format could've given this story room to breathe, developing its new characters and mythology more naturally. Instead, we got a rushed sequel with moments that don't hold up to scrutiny.
Disney has a history of creating sequels that feel more like cash grabs than genuine expansions of a story. And while Moana 2 isn't the worst offender, it certainly raises the question: is every beloved film destined for a follow-up that bends logic for the sake of spectacle?
Final Verdict: Magic vs. Logic
At the end of the day, Moana 2 will still be loved by kids, and maybe that's all that matters. But for those of us who appreciate good storytelling—who want our fantasy grounded in some level of internal consistency—this film leaves us wanting.
What do you think? Did Moana 2's deep dive bother you, or is it just Disney doing Disney things? Let's talk in the comments.
As someone else mentioned, check out the Bajau tribe–they can be at depths up to hundreds of feet for around 10 minutes. Additionally, check out free diving (there’s a fascinating, though definitely sad, documentary on Netflix). I think the free diving record is currently like 800 feet. Without breathing gas mixtures used in scuba diving, there is no risk of the bends because that is caused by the expansion of the gases from the mixture if ascending too quickly. If no breathing is taking place, that isn’t an issue. The drowning risk (inhaling water) is much higher in this scenario than swimming to a depth that would crush the human body. I couldn’t find an exact estimate of depth humans could survive to but I suspect it’s quite a bit deeper than free divers are currently able to go. While it’s highly improbable a human could free dive very deep without a lot of practice and skills, it is certainly not impossible and definitely not the most unrealistic moment of an animated film involving demigods and magic. Also, Moana does dive to get the heart in the first movie as well; perhaps not as far but it still shows she is a strong swimmer and skilled at holding her breath.
There are quite a few hints through both films that Moana is actually already a demigod. For example, in Moana 2, Matangi sings “The rules are *ours* to break”. Maui is shocked she opens the portal of the Gods. Maui is shocked she survived the realm of monsters. Maui songs something to the effect of “you helped me out when I was a demigod in distress, now the roles are reversed”.
And of course, if she’s already a demigod, then diving deep isn’t a problem!