Moana 2

Image citation: IMDb. (2024). [David Fane, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Tudyk, Hualalai Chung, Rose Matafeo, and Auli'i Cravalho in Moana 2 (2024)]. Retrieved January 20, 2025, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13622970/mediaviewer/rm142885633/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk.

Disney originally planned to continue Moana with an animated series. Instead, under executive pressure, they poured their ideas into an unexpected sequel. 

Moana 2 has some similarities with Frozen II. Of course, they both introduce new characters (one of them being Moana's little sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda)). Yet, they also explore themes of entering uncharted territory and perseverance. 

The songs, including the opening "We're Back" and "Get Lost," were more fun to listen to than the first film's soundtrack. They also related to the story and themes, which is more important. Some fans expressed disappointment regarding the replacement of Lin-Manuel Miranda with Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, but I didn't mind it... well, except that a few of the songs outright preach the messages side characters share with Moana (theme numbers work better when the protagonist sings them).

I also appreciated the theme of bringing people together. It stands out that Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) sails with a few people from her island this time, rather than alone. Her relationship with Maui continues and her relationship with her ancestors (which requires discernment for sensitive Christian viewers) expands. Most touching, though, is Simea's attachment to Moana alongside the island's popularity of Moana's story (three girls even dressed like Moana). 

Moana still had depth, but much less than she did in the first film. Her desire to find other islands and bring people together was remarkable, and a prophecy of isolation pushed her to sail out again. The problem here is that Moana's fear could have revealed itself during or before the opening song (which was all-happy), and her motive to protect Simea's future made much clearer. 

As enjoyable as it was to watching Moana bring a few islanders, it is not clear why she brought Moni Hualālai Chung), Loto (Rose Matafeo), and Kele (David Fane) and not others (except they, maybe, couldn't come). 

Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and his relationship with Moana remained enjoyable with their wit and banters. Some of his situations, though, were unpleasant. For instance, the scene involving a spitting monster failed to make me laugh. Plus, the one song Maui sings to Moana, though pleasant to listen to alone, preached the message of "remember who you are" (which is a callback to the first film). 

I laughed at most jokes and teared up a few times throughout Moana 2 (especially at the moments involving Moana and Simea). Of course, the scenery, including the intense action, is about as breathtaking as it was in the first film. The chants opening the film and the score were other highlights.

Moana 2 is no perfect sequel, but it remains an enjoyable watch, especially for fans of the first film. 

SCORE: Good (8/10)

AGE RATING: 6+

Have you seen Moana 2? What do you think about it?

Three Wishes for Cinderella

Image citation: IMDb. (2021). [Astrid S and Cengiz Al in Three Wishes for Cinderella (2021)]. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10147580/mediaviewer/rm244275713/.

Most famous Cinderella movie adaptations take inspiration from the Charles Perrault tale, with one of the few exceptions being a Nordic take from: Three Wishes for Cinderella.

Three Wishes for Cinderella is the 2021 Norwegian reimagining of the 1973 Czech film Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella. A few years ago, I thought it was the 1973 film's equivalent to a Disney animated classic's live-action remake. Now that I've done more research, though, Three Wishes for Cinderella hailed from a different country than the original film, easily setting it off as another version. 

The film seems more similar to the Grimm Brothers' version than Perrault's; Cinderella (Astrid S) visits a tree at her parents' graves, relies on birds and rats for help, and gets herself to and from the ball without a midnight curfew. The differences that make this film stand out are Cinderella's love for nature, as well as her reliance on three hazelnuts. 

Another difference making Three Wishes for Cinderella stand out is Cinderella having one, rather than two, stepsisters. Plus, her stepsister Dora (Ingrid Gæver) is "ugly" only in dress and hair (unlike Disney's animated version). 

One thing I found lacking in Three Wishes for Cinderella is character depth. For instance, the beginning of the film hints at Cinderella's parents' deaths but does not show her relationship with them. Cinderella reveals her desire to hunt later in the movie, but doing so at the beginning would have strengthened her character. The film does not even give Cinderella a formal name; the same applies to the evil stepmother (Ellen Dorrit Petersen), who also lacks motives for her cruelty.

I also felt the dialogue seemed too pieced-together (sounds like a switch in topic, even if that's not what happens) a few times. Plus, while I appreciate their shared love for nature, the romantic chemistry between Cinderella and the Prince (Cengiz Al) is lacking. 

However, the characters remain enjoyable to watch, especially Astrid S's performance as Cinderella with her innocent charm. Ellen Dorrit Petersen also successfully unleashed the stepmother's cruelty. 

An additional highlight of Three Wishes for Cinderella is the scenery; the Norwegian landscape, especially the snowy hills, deliver a breath of fresh air. I also appreciated the Northern lights that take up the sky a few times in the film. 

The score, especially the Baroque-sounding music playing at the castle, is another element that stood out alongside the period drama-inspired dancing. 

Overall, Three Wishes from Cinderella is far from perfect, but it is a worthwhile watch for viewers seeking a non-Perrault adaptation and/or a more active Cinderella. 

SCORE: Good (8/10)

AGE RATING: 8+

Have you seen Three Wishes for Cinderella? What do you think about it?

Howl's Moving Castle

Image source: https://wallpapers.com/background/howl-s-moving-castle-background-xagale0efkm8hbrt/download. 

Studio Ghibli, Disney's anime counterpart, released a few of their own classics before Disney's Renaissance. However, even while Disney stepped down from success, Studio Ghibli continued with hits, such as Howl's Moving Castle in 2004.

Howl's Moving Castle follows hatmaker Sophie living an ordinary life until she encounters the wizard Howl and gets cursed by the Witch of the Waste with rapid aging. A hopping scarecrow leads Sophie to a moving castle, where she meets an anthropomorphic flame named Calcifer, who is also under a curse, alongside a young boy witch. Howl later suffers a curse himself. 

As referenced above, sorcery is prevalent in Howl's Moving Castle. Viewers sensitive to such content, especially new Christians, require discernment when watching the film. 

The storyline is also quite complex, but the goal is implied shortly after the inciting incident, making it more digestible. The sudden change in Sophie's everyday life makes the inciting incident stand out from those in other Studio Ghibli films. Plus, shifts in the castle's condition paves the path to the film's end.  

I appreciate how Sophie starts out rather shy but opens up while forming bonds with Howl and the other castle inhabitants. It is also memorable how her hair color shifts multiple times from brown to white under the curse's influence. Plus, while her braid with the pink bows is cute, I find it heroic of her to give it up for the castle's sake. 

The Witch of the Waste also stands out as a character. She places the curse on Sophie early on, but she loses her powers after the middle of the film, carving room for a change of heart. 

Of course, there is also plenty of action and pleasant scenery throughout Howl's Moving Castle. It was especially amusing watching Sophie ride a jet plane by herself. Regarding the scenery, the flowery meadow with the cottages made me think of Heaven. I also enjoyed looking at the European village with colorful buildings where Sophie lived before her adventure began.

For viewers who can look past the witchcraft, Howl's Moving Castle is a memorable adventure full of twists and turns alongside an uplifting ending. 

SCORE: Alright (7.5/10)

AGE RATING: 8+

STREAMING SERVICES: Max

Have you seen Howl's Moving Castle? What do you think about it?

Five Fairy Tale Movies for Young Kids

Early childhood is a magical time, as well as a great time to introduce fairy tales. Children ages 2-6, particularly girls, might gravitate towards the colors, music, and characters in animated Disney films, but most of these explore ideas or contain content that are a bit too mature for them. If their child is too young to understand a concept, parents can't really talk to them about it. 

Using Common Sense Media as a resource, I found five simple, lighthearted, and nonviolent fairy tale movies, rated as 4+ and under, for parents to introduce to young children. Here they are:

Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland (3+)

In this Sesame Street special, Elmo reads Abby Cadabby Alice in Wonderland. Abby then chases an Elmo-like rabbit down a rabbit hole-as Alice does in the original story. This film, with no offensive content, serves as a great introduction to the Alice in Wonderland story. 

VeggieTales: The Penniless Princess (4+)

This VeggieTales adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess has faith-based themes. As in the book, Sara Crewe starts out rich but is forced to move to rags. VeggieTales: The Penniless Princess is a great film to teach young children about internal, rather than external, worth. 

Secret of the Wings (4+)

This Disney film brings Tinker Bell with Periwinkle in the Winter woods and unites them on a mission to help Pixie Hollow. Secret of the Wings is a great tale of sisterhood to introduce before Frozen. 

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (4+)

This sequel to the first Tinker Bell movie goes more into her temper issues, which affect her task to make a sceptre holding a moonstone and then travel to a faraway land. Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure is a great film to inspire kids to overcome their limitations in the face of challenging tasks. 

Zog (3+)

This picture book adaptation follows the titular dragon becoming a better dragon-and there is at least one princess in it. Its 26-minute runtime makes this film perfect for the youngest of children.

What fairy tale movies would you recommend for children ages 2-6?