This article contains: spoiler In the case of “Moana 2”.
Moana is arguably Walt Disney Animation Studios’ best film of the past decade, which means Moana 2 loomed pretty large from the get-go. Moana 2, originally slated to be a sequel series for Disney+, was announced for theaters in February 2024, and the House of Mouse has kept plot details pretty secret. Back in August, a trailer was released during the D23 celebrations, giving fans a glimpse of a more mature Moana, the introduction of her sister Simea, the crew joining Moana on her new journey, her reunion with the demigod Maui, and her return home. I showed it. Kakamora and a nearly invisible threat shrouded in deep purple light challenge everyone’s favorite wayfinder. Not much is known about the film’s Big Bad, but audiences will likely be in for a big surprise when they watch the film and discover that this character is not only not. of It’s a big deal, but she’s also the source of some of the soundtrack’s best songs.
Lin-Manuel Miranda was a songwriter behind catchy songs like “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome,” but in “Moana 2,” Abigail Barlow and Emily Baer take on that role. took over. The duo is best known as the songwriters for the Grammy Award-winning “Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” and the Taco Bell-sponsored production “Mexican Pizza: The Musical,” featuring Doja Cat and Dolly Parton. At the time of publication, both “Beyond” and “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” are available. A song from “Moana 2” has been nominated for Best Original Song in an Animated Film at the 2024 Hollywood Music in Media Awards, but in my opinion, the standout song on the soundtrack is “Get Lost.” Probably. “Don’t talk about Bruno” from “Encanto.”
Let me explain.
We should all be talking about “Get Lost”
Both “Beyond” and “Can I Get a Chee-Hoo?” are great numbers in their own right, and “Beyond” has a massive number for Disney’s female protagonist, with an impressive vocal range that’s central to the film’s plot. We are fulfilling a long-standing tradition of showing off. However, “Get Lost” is a somewhat mysterious number. The deception of “Mother Knows Best” in “Rapunzel,” Ursula’s fake empathy for “poor unfortunate souls” in “The Little Mermaid,” and the outright denial in “The Little Mermaid.” This song is like a cross between the two. The truth behind Megara’s “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” from “Hercules.”
“Get Lost,” starring Afimai Fraser as the shape-shifting Matangi, is a life lesson hidden beneath the guise of menace. Matangi tells Moana that she needs to embrace chaos, live dangerously, and stop being strict about following rules. This is either good advice or the perfect trap setup, depending on your intentions. The Polynesian musical style blends perfectly with the main themes associated with Disney villain songs, but as the post-credits scene shows, there may be more to Matangi than meets the eye.
I previously compared “Get Lost” to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” not because I think the song would give a similar Billboard chart-topping performance, but because it’s clearly a soundtrack. This is the best song of all time, but it will definitely surpass it. Through more familiar products. I can only speak for myself, but Barlow/Bear’s music for Moana 2 is incredibly strong, and part of its strength stems from a different approach to songwriting than Lin-Manuel Miranda’s style. It’s a unique approach. “Get Lost” is a prime example of this, and I apologize in advance if it ends up being sung over and over again at home.
