My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analyses

fredag 31. januar 2025

Jiminy Cricket - The First Disney Sidekick Who Manged to Live a Life of His Own

Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies.

Make sure to leave a comment if you like this site! And if there's something you think could be improved, please let me know. But in a constructive way, please. And just a note; I'm not a Native English writer, so my incorrect grammar may be notable.

And finally; If you haven't seen the films, beware of spoilers! And the funny lines aren't meant to be nothing than funny. So I hope you won't find them offensive. If so, I apologize

Before starting this entry, I just wanted to state that this year marks the 10th Anniversary of my blog (forgive me for hightlighting this remark). First of all, it`s incredible how time has passed. I remember the excitement of starting my very first entry in January 2015, finding my audience and afterwards getting my following. Afterwards, I`ve been hooked on blogging ever since. Secondly, I want to give a huge shoutout and thanks to all my readers. As hokey as it sounds, without you, my blog wouldn`t have functioned at all.

Being a blogger during a decade has taught me a lot of valuable things. And it would`ve taken me all day long to summarize everything that I`ve learned. But perhaps the biggest thing that it taught me, is to have a passion and dedication to what I`m doing. Sure, it`s sometimes been hard work, but the love and passion for what I`m doing have surpassed the hardship. As for the timing, it`s a synergy that this entry marking this anniversary has a connection to my previous entry that marked my fifth year anniversary of my blog. Which is Pinocchio. But while that entry was about the movie itself, this entry will be about it`s sidekick, Jiminy Cricket.

Don`t worry, my hat doesn`t have any germs :)

When Walt Disney released Pinocchio in 1940, it was coming of the heels of the very successful Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Which was a sensation, for being perceived as Disney`s folly, but afterwards became positively received and exceeding all expectations. Therefore, the expectations for Walt`s follower, Pinocchio, was high. Unfortunately didn`t ended up being the big hit that Walt had hoped for. However, fortunately fate had another plans for Pinocchio, at it ended up being more successful in re-releases (as with most of his animated features for his first Golden Age). But also perceived as being the Citizen Kane of animation.

However, while Pinocchio was cherished for most of it`s components, it was essentially particularly cherished for one specific thing: It`s sidekick, Jiminy Cricket. Sure, Pinocchio was not the movie who eventually invented what is known as the Disney Formula. Which usually contains the funny Disney sidekick. But at least Jiminy Cricket is perceived, by many Disney historians, as being the first and best sidekick. But also being the kind of sidekick who had a life of his own and managed to feature in movies beyond Pinocchio. Sure, Jiminy isn`t the only Disney sidekick who`s essentially done that (cough, Tinker Bell from Peter Pan, cough). But at least he has the honor of being the first sidekick to doing so.

The Origins of Jiminy Cricket

My size may be small.
But my anger is stronger.
Right, Powhatan? :)

The position of Jiminy Cricket is extremely funny and also somewhat contradictory. In the original novel of Carlos Collodi, the nameless cricket is basically just a character who made a cameo. But was crushed by Pinocchio with a hammer at the end. And afterwards appears as a ghost. So it`s safe to say that Jiminy was given more prominence and significance in Walt`s version (where he was actually given his name, Jiminy. Deriving from the old expression Jiminy cricket, which meant Jesus Christ). He was added to the story to give more warmth and heart and showcase a friendship. Jiminy was designed by Ward Kimball, who was sullen by his soup sequence for Snow White was dismissed and wanted to quit the studio. Until Walt gave him the task of supervising Jiminy. However, the irony is how Jiminy doesn`t really resemble a cricket and is more anthrophomorphized. Kimball was repulsed by the ugly nature of real crickets and deliberately wanted him to look funny. However, Walt didn`t wanted him to look like a clown and instructed Kimball to have him look cute. But when Walt saw the final design, he told Kimball that he looked like his uncle Ed. Kimball himself was pleased with his final look. Actor Val Stanton did the live action reference for him. Jiminy was also animated by Ollie Johnson (in the scenes where he`s helping Pinocchio out from the cage) and Woolie Reitherman.

And I`m proud of being
a part of that society :)

Originally Jiminy was going to live at a crack behind Geppetto`s hearth and only appeared after Geppetto went to bed. It was in January 1939 (a year before Pinocchio`s release) that it was proposed that he could be the narrator. Despite how some people were against it, as it could seem confusing. It was a storytelling device used in the French movie Le roman d`un tricheur (1936). Having Jiminy talk to the audience was taken from Eugene O`Neill`s 1928 play Strange Interlude. But Walt didn`t want Jiminy to be the narrator the whole movie. To make it less annoying to the audience. But to have Jiminy be Pinocchio`s conscience was added after Pinocchio was retooled. And it made the movie work. Give a Little Whistle was added in order to make his lecturing more entertaining. It was Joe Grant who came up with the idea of him sleeping in a matchbox.

My aunt gave me this
sweater in advance,
so I can grow into it :)

As for Jiminy`s voice actors, he was originally performed by singer Cliff Edwards. Edwards was known as Ukulele Ike and was a huge star who was on Broadway, Vaudeville and even had his own radio show (and introducing Singing in the Rain). And was the first major star to be ever cast in a Disney feature. But he was cast for his lively and charming voice (and yes, the audience recognized him). Edwards voiced the character until his death in 1971. Clarence Nash voiced him for a brief period, until 1973, when Eddie Carroll took over the role. Carroll played the role for 37 years, until his death in 2010. Actor Hal Smith voiced Jiminy in the Pinocchio Read-Along Storybook in 1992. Afterwards, actor Phil Snyder voiced him for Kingdom Hearts video game series, until retiring from voice acting in 2014 to become a teacher. Actor Joe Ochman took over the role, starting with Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix's on Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. And has been the voice of Jiminy since 2014.

Jiminy Cricket`s Personality & Family

Cinderella made this outfit for
me :)

As for Jiminy`s personality in Pinocchio, he comes across as frankly a well-rounded character with many aspects to his personality. He serves as being wisecracking and talking directly to the audience. But also comes across as contemporary (at the time). Still, his snark and sarcasm is mostly good natured. However, Jiminy also comes across as cranky, short-tempered and assertive. But remarkably enough, he`s also a character who`s instantly smitten by human women (despite remarkably enough not getting any). But overall, Jiminy`s comes across being an elderly, guiding, semi-fatherly figure to both Pinocchio and the audience. Despite how he narrates the story, he`s also a character who functions within the movie.

I wanted to be a bull bug ;)

However, Jiminy has a arc of his own, as he learns to take responsibility for Pinocchio, as being his sidekick. But what really gives Jiminy the most weight, is how he sings When You Wish Upon a Star. Who became the biggest anthem of the company. As for Jiminy`s family, his nephew Wilbur the Grasshopper appeared in the Goofy short, Goofy and Wilbur (and he`s Jiminy newphew, according to the 1956 TV special, On Vacation with Mickey Mouse and Friends). In The Giant Walt Disney Word Book (1972), Jiminy family tree was published in a poster. Which showed his parents, siblings and all his family generations up to his great-great-grandfather.

The List of Franchise

Didn`t your mom tell
you that it`s rude to
wake up an old duck?
:)

Since Jiminy Cricket was the first Disney sidekick who lived a life of his own, it`s mandatory to summarize his list of franchises. Jiminy hosted a one-hour segment ABC Radio special in 1947, about the year 1960. After Pinocchio, Jiminy appeared in Fun and Fancy Free (1947) as a host (where he sings I`m a Happy Go Lucky Fellow, which was cut from Pinocchio). In the 1950s-1970s, he appeared in four educational films for grade-school kids. In the I'm No Fool series, he advised children to steer clear of many types of danger. The second show, You, taught about the human body. The third show, The Nature Of Things, combined live-action and animation. And the fourth show was named Encyclopedia (where he taught audiences to spell the word). All of them were shown on The Mickey Mouse Club from 1955 to 1959.

It`s not mythical ;)

In the 1950s, he sang two songs related to safety on Stop, Look, And Listen, and Safety First on Mouse Club. Jiminy also appeared in the opening at the Mickey Mouse March, with Dumbo and Timothy Mouse. However, Jiminy also hosted some Disney television specials. As On Vacation with Mickey Mouse and Friends (1956) and This is Your Life, Donald Duck (1952). But of course Jiminy is known for hosting From All of Us to All of You Christmas special. Jiminy also appeared in Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Jiminy was also part of Mickey's Magical World (a compilation to Mickey Mouse). Jiminy was sometimes a host of Disney Sing Along Songs show. Jiminy made a cameo in the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). In Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, he appeared with the toons bootlegged by Sweet Pete.

Look at this, The
Weeknd :)

Jiminy also appeared in the House of Mouse (2001-2003) and the direct-to-video 2001 film Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse. Where he`s advising Mickey that he can solve it by wishing on a star. In the The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse show, he was in the Disappearing Act episode (2021), where he`s alongside with the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty, Merlin from The Sword in the Stone, and the Blue Fairy. To help Mickey realize he had magic inside him. And of course Jiminy reappears in a new rendition in the Live Action Remake of Pinocchio. Voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Treasure Planet). Jiminy was also in Once Upon a Studio (2023), singing When You Wish Upon a Star (with archival recordings of Edwards).

Jiminy`s Appearences in Other Forms

Guess who`s magical of us
and who`s not? :)

However, as for other types of appearances, Jiminy Cricket also appears in Kingdom Hearts. As a chronicler of player character Sora's travels. In the first game, he`s on the segment based on Pinocchio. Jiminy is also in Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (2012), a spin-off to Epic Mickey, where he acts as Mickey's sidekick. Jiminy alo appears in Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour (2000). He`s a main character Disney's Villains' Revenge (1999), where he helps to save the stories of Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from their villains. Jiminy is a playable character in Disney Magic Kingdoms (2021). To unlock for a limited time, in an event focused on Pinocchio. Jiminy Cricket makes an appearance in Disney Infinity as a townsperson. In the 3DS version; he welcomes user's team to Story Mode and the first game board.

We wanted to give Radiator
Springs some competition ;)

Jiminy appears at the Disney Parks as a meetable character, mostly at Disney's Animal Kingdom at Rafiki's Planet Watch. He also appears in Pinocchio's Daring Journey, a dark ride themed to the film. A small version can be seen on the It's a Small World ride in Disneyland. He and the Blue Fairy hosted Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams fireworks display at Magic Kingdom. Jiminy also hosts the Nighttime parade, SpectroMagic in the Magic Kingdom (replaced in 2010 for an updated version Main Street Electrical Parade). He also appears in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom. Jiminy also appears as the pace of play ambassador at Walt Disney World Golf Resort. And in Fantasmic.

Epilogue

No, my hat ain`t glued to my
head. Despite how it looks like
so :)

At the end, Jiminy Cricket is regarded of being one of Disney`s most beloved characters and icons. And it`s right to say that it`s deservedly so. It would be tempting to wonder if Jiminy is forever going to labeled for Pinocchio. Or if he truly is labeled for standing on his own right. However, despite that scrutiny, he`s always going to be a Disney Icon, no matter how time and fate treats him. As for my own personal opinion of Jiminy, the truth is that despite that he`s never been my very favorite character, I still respect and admire him for what he is.

Don`t worry, Rihanna. It`s not
your umbrella ;)

And for what he`s done and how he`s representing the company. And sure, he`s an honorable and dignified character as a whole, despite his flaws. And it`s hard to believe that he`s been a part of the Disney company and people`s consciousness for so long. And due to how he technically has his 85th Anniversary this year (alongside with his movie), there`s nothing left than to wish Jiminy Cricket Happy 85th Anniversary and may you continue to have many more.

Blame Billy Idol, Elsa and Snow White, not me ;)

Give a little wistle to my updates on https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035703494050 and https://twitter.com/NerdyLunada.

References:

Pinocchio Platinum Edition DVD

Pinocchio The Making of the Disney Epic (J.B. Kaufman)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiminy_Cricket

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Jiminy_Cricket

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_Cricket

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/On_Vacation_with_Mickey_Mouse_and_Friends

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/This_is_Your_Life,_Donald_Duck_(Walt_Disney_Presents_episode)

mandag 30. desember 2024

"Moana 2" - The Surprising, But Mandatory Sequel To The Most Streamed Disney Movie To Date and The Third Revival Princess Hit Movie From Disney

Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies.

Make sure to leave a comment if you like this site! And if there's something you think could be improved, please let me know. But in a constructive way, please. And just a note; I'm not a Native English writer, so my incorrect grammar may be notable.

And finally; If you haven't seen the films, beware of spoilers! And the funny lines aren't meant to be nothing than funny. So I hope you won't find them offensive. If so, I apologize

This is what happens when you let a woman steer :)

This is the new Power Pose :)

As the old Greek statement once said: Desperate times craves for desperate measures. With this new decade, it`s been clear that Disney has once again entered another Dark Age. It would be easy to call this cycle a sheer synergy, since the Disney Revival era followed the 20th year cycle (and synergy) of the Renaissance. Both Raya and the Last Dragon and Encanto were downright flops, but were ufortunately hampered by the pandemic (despite how Encanto eventually found it`s audience on Disney Plus). Later on, we saw the release of the underrated and frankly forgotten Strange World. A male centered adventure movie who followed the footsteps of Atlantis The Lost Empire and Treasure Planet and also became an outright flop (which is a pity, since Strange World was a good movie). And last year came Wish, a female musical that was deeply steeped in Disney`s traditions. And while it did better than Strange World, it was still somewhat a flop (despite how all of them found their audience on Disney Plus). But still, regarding these new post-Revival movies, the truth is that they`re not as radically different from their Revival predecessors.

Enjoy our play while you can.
Afterwards you`ll become my
food :)

In fact, most of them seems like they`ve could`ve fit into that mold (despite how both Raya and Encanto were tweaking on the female musical formula. As Raya was daringly enough a Princess movie that wasn`t a musical. And Encanto was a female musical not starring a Princess. And sure, it would`ve been easy to also put Wish into the same category. But let`s face it, Wish is technically more a Princess movie than Encanto. As Wish had more of it`s elements). But regarding the new direction Disney is taking, they`ve now once again been stuck in a mold that they were five years ago: The sequel mode. And yes, it`s simply needless to say that this mold is thanks to how desperate times craves for desperate measures. And while it would`ve upset purists who`ve always loathed the idea of Disney being on a sequel mode, the truth is that we`ve gotten one now with Moana 2.

The Surprising Announcement and General Information About Moana 2

In fact, the announcement of Moana 2 was nothing but a sheer surprise. For the underperformances of Disney`s movies of this new decade, there were speculations if Disney were going to lay down their big release for 2024. But sure, they were just vague rumors. In fact, the expansion of the Moana franchise was to make it a Disney Plus series. Of course to give it a full-length, Theatrical sequel is very questionable. Since Moana was a modest hit and wasn`t the behemoth that was Frozen was. But still, Moana has gained it`s audience on home releases (being the most sold movie of 2017) and streaming devices (being the top-streamed film for kids and families in 2023, with 11.6 billion streams), Which answers the corporate decision to give it a sequel.

Released eight years after it`s predecessor (which makes it almost a decade between the two films, which was a bigger gap between the two Frozen movies). But at least Moana 2 is a first for a John Musker and Ron Clements-property: Being a movie that got a Theatrical sequel (and yes, let`s exclude the cheapquels to their Hand Drawns properties, shall we?). But also for being a Musker and Clements-sequel that wasn`t directed by them (despite how Clements came to Disney to attend the launch for the Moana series).

Directed by David Derrick Jr. (who came to Disney to work on Moana and storyboarded How Far I’ll Go and the reprise), Jason Hand (story artist for the first film) and Dana Ledoux Miller. But what`s also truly noteworthy is how Lin-Manuel Miranda, who helmed the original songs, was suprisingly enough not behind the songs (for being busy with Mufasa). As Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (from The Unofficial Bridgeton Musical) made the songs (as they were approached before Miranda). But Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa'i returned to the score. Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, and Alan Tudyk have returned to roles. But at least Moana 2 is noteworthy for being another Princess movie who`ve followed a previous movie about a heroine, Wish. Where there was a three year gap between the three Princess movies in the Revival era that were in CGI (Tangled, Frozen, Moana, Frozen II), at least this new Era haven`t truly followed that rut. And yes, Moana 2 was released on IMAX.

The Innovations of The First Moana

The thing behind us isn`t
actual water. Fortunately :)

In many ways, this entry is somewhat of a full circle for me. Since Moana was frankly the first entry that I wrote that was about an upcoming project. And which I`m now returning to. In fact, while Moana wasn`t particularly distinctive from it`s Revival Princess Counterparts, it still had a few innovations of it`s own. It was the first of these Princess movies that was not based on an existing fairy tale and was an original story. It was the first Princess movie starring a Princess who had no love subplot whatsoever (and while both Merida from Brave and Elsa from Frozen were preceeding Moana, let`s remember that Merida was rebelling against her suitors. And Elsa was a secondary character, after all). It was also the first of the CGI Princess movies that was centered around a non-White heroine (and yes, The Princess and the Frog doesn`t count, as it was a Hand Drawn property).


I`m dressed in leaves, to make Pocahontas proud :)

And sure, just as with it`s Revival predecessors, Moana had the trope of the sparring dynamic of a male and female lead. But for once with a male and female who weren`t love interests (despite how Zootopia was technically preceeding Moana). But what made Moana different from the previous Disney Princesses, is how she was allowed to have slightly more meat on her body than her predecessors (and yes, I`ll say slightly). And despite how Moana was pretty episodic in nature and structure, at least it was a Hero`s Journey-story. And despite how Moana wasn`t the first heroine to think about her duty to her people, she still was innovative enough to actually have her movie centered around it first and foremost. But while Moana was another movie with a Polynesian setting (after Lilo & Stitch), at least Moana was centered around the tribal aspects and the mythology of the culture. Not that Stitch wasn`t a valentine to the culture, but perhaps not in such a way as Moana was.

The Differences and Similarities Between the Two Movies

This is the way you raise kids,
parents :)

To analyze Moana 2 to it`s predecessor, what`s noteworthy is how Moana herself have been allowed to look different. As she definitively looks both older and a little more plumb. Which is essentially bold and daring, to age a Disney Princess a bit (and certainly something that Disney didn`t do with the sisters in Frozen, besides giving them new hairstyles). But what makes Moana 2 more unique is how Moana is given a little sister, in Simea (which was going to be in the series). Sure, it`s questionable and also mandatory. To wonder if the sister dynamic in Frozen is the reason for why Moana was given a little sister. And for the pure commercial reason to sell dolls of her (director Derrick Jr. based Simea on his own daughter by the same name. And the affection between his own kids and to give Moana a reason to return in Motonui). But at least it gives another synergy to Lilo & Stitch, who also had a sister dynamic. But what makes Moana 2 unique, is that for a rare time, a Disney feature is centered around an older sibling and not the younger one (as it`s usually is with Disney).

I know that you think my
necklace is candy, but I`ll give
ya one of candy afterwards :)

But what also makes

Moana 2 remarkable is it`s soundtrack. Despite having a different songwriting team, it manages to recreate the sound of the first soundtrack similar to it`s predecessor. And sure, both We`re Back and Beyond are structured in the same way as their stock songs in the first movie. The new songs serve the stock songs that from the original: The introductory song, the "I want"-song, the comedy song for Maui and ect. But what also makes both soundtracks similar, is how the songs are essentially variations and reprises of each other. But since the "I want"-songs from Disney have managed to become even bigger after Frozen`s Let it Go, it`s needless to say that Beyond will be the standout song from the movie. And what`s even more remarkable is how Cravalho herself recorded the end credit version of Beyond. But unlike Frozen II, Moana 2 reuses songs from it`s predecessor. Like Tulou Tagaloa, Innocent Warrior and We Know The Way. Cause it`s remarkable that Frozen II (with the exception of Reindeers are Better than People) didn`t.

Comparisons to Frozen II

I wanted to look cute in the
storm :)

In fact, since Moana 2 is the Second Official Disney Sequel to a Princess Movie (sorry for using that term, folks, but we know that that`s why they are), a comparison to the previous Princess sequel Frozen II is superfluous, but also inevitable. As known, Frozen II was a mandatory sequel for the enormous and surprising success that the first Frozen was. But what made Frozen II surprising is despite following the footspets of a behemoth, at least surprisingly enough tried to be it`s own movie. It didn`t rehashed the storyline of it`s predecessor, or reused the musical themes so much. Even the settings were modeled to look different to the first movie.

Don`t worry, this is just a
rehersal :) I`m not actually
being doped by the
injections :)

But Moana 2 happens to share many similarities and differences with Frozen II. Just like Frozen II, it takes place three years after it`s predecessor. And like Frozen II, it takes our friends on a new quest. And ike Frozen II, it introduces new characters to the franchise (a new squad to Moana and a semi-antagonist, Matangi). And like Frozen II, it gives our heroine a divine power. But unlike Frozen II, it doesn`t start showing the heroine as toddlers. And unlike Frozen II, Moana 2 feels essentially a rehash of it`s predecessor. And unlike Frozen II, Moana 2 didn`t seem to bother to fix all the scrutinies lobbed at the original (cause if you think about it, Frozen II was). And unlike Frozen II, the title wasn`t with Roman numbers. But unlike Frozen II, which was mostly received well critically (as somebody called it an improvement over it`s predecessor), the critical reception to Moana 2 has been inferior. As the overall reception of it have been mixed.

The Information About Moana 2 Revealed to The Public

Yes, we`re competing of
who`s the coolest of
us :)

Regarding the information of Moana 2 revealed to the public, Disney still has their policy of revealing most of the information at the very end, But the first hint of the sequel was during an short interview with Cravalho in 2019 at The Little Mermaid Live. Where she was surprisingly coy about a sequel. The show was announced during the Pandemic (as a part of the Investor Day 2020). But the sequel was suddenly announced on YouTube in February this year. And afterwards with a official picture of Moana`s new squad. In April, the first official still of Moana herself was released. And the official synopsis. A picture of our heroine was shown during the upcoming releases for 2024 at CinemaCon. Where We’re Back back shown, and Johnson presented the movie. And a group of Hawaiian dancers and percussionists performed. The teaser poster and trailer debuted in May (making the trailer the most viewed Disney trailer ever). In June, more clips were shown at Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Like We’re Back, Simea`s introduction, Moana getting her vision and a brief clip of Maui.

Don`t worry, ADX
will be way worse
than this :)

In July, some new promotional images were released. With Moana and
Maui. And Moana and Simea. And a interview with Cravalho, alongside with some book covers and a Japanese poster. In August, a TV spot was released. Moana 2 was presented at this year`s Disney D23 Expo (where Cravalho sang We`re Back), where the second trailer was released and a new poster. And a interview with Johnson and some new stills. The Japanese trailer was also released, alongside with a interview of the director, both on YouTube. A picture of a new Calendar was also revealed. More interviews with Cravalho were released, alongside with German book covers and a bag. Also revealed in August was a painting of Moana and Matangi and some French books, with some synopsises. And also some Spanish book covers and some cliparts. In September, more book covers were shown, both American and French ones. And some reveals of dolls and playsets. And a new article. An artwork about Moana and Simea was shown. As well as a Cover story from Entertainment Weekly and other articles from that site. As well as another trailer and a new poster. And a sneak peak of We`re Back. And a video of Cravalho unboxing some toys. And an article with a new still and the cover for the Art of-book. And some new links to more toys. And some funko pops.

Yes, a bat is the new
and cool villain
sidekick now :)

In October, a new look was released on YouTube, as well as a new poster. And some new stills of Matangi. A new Japanese trailer was released. Alongside with some new TV spots and a new article from Total Film Magazine. And some information about new books. The directors showed more scenes at Animation Is Film Festival in Hollywood, California (the same scenes shown at Annecy and the scene with Kakamora and Maui and Matangi). Where the directors answered questiona and signed posters. Disney EU revealed some dolls. A new TV spot was revealed, as was an article. An interview with Nicole Scherzinger on YouTube was posted. As well as character posters and a concept art drawing. And a new interview. And a "Moana is Back"-featurette. And Exhibitor-exclusive posters and related articles. In a press event in Burbank, Disney screened the first 30 minutes of the sequel. And more video interviews and more promos. And a Japanese video of Beyond. And another pre-screening. And an article how it setted records of first-day advance ticket sales. And even more articles.

In November, more articles arrived. And the maquettes arrived at Disney`s Hollywood Studios. And the end credit version of Beyond. And more TV spots and promo`s. And new character posters. Moana 2 was shown at the Brazilian D23 Expo. Johnson talked about his song on GMA and presented a short clip. A featurette about Beyond was released and a video of the composers playing it on the piano. And some more clips. Matangi's song Get Lost and Maui's Can I Get A Chee Hoo? were played by the composers on a video. And a new interview with Barlow and Bear from Access Daily. And a interview with Hualalai Chung (Moni) and producer Christina Chen. And some Japanese posters. Clips from We're Back and Beyond. Johnson shared a promo with Chee Hoo. And even more videos, with "Answer the Call"-featurette and "Boat Snack" pre-show to World of Color: Season of Light at Disney California Adventure. Some information at Disney Company’s website, as a 4.5 minute interview with crew. And more videos of music featurettes and a World Premiere recap were posted. And also new articles. And a picture of the sticker album. And a new clip, pictures and videos of the display at Hollywood Studios. And a NFL promo.

Behind the Scenes Information

I`m so excited and I just can`t
hide it :)

As known, Moana 2 began as a Disney Plus show, just simply titled
Moana. With a massive budget of $150. It was originally slated for 2023. While there`s little information about the show, there was more room to play with the ensemble. And gave deeper, more involved arcs (and musical moments) to these characters. But unsurprisingly, the switch was set not long before the announcement. Disney kept the Thanksgiving 2024 date open, in case for other projects, like Zootopia 2. However, neither Johnson or Cravalho were involved on the picture until February. Bob Iger really had to announce Moana 2. Only problem was, Dwayne Johnson’s deal had to be redone to account for the change in format, a fact that Ari Emanuel and his WME team leveraged to get the star both a $15 million up-front fee and elevated box office bonuses, per one source. Animation was handled at Disney Vancouver studio when it was a series (the first feature film made there). While pre-production and storyboarding was done at Burbank.

I`ve been cursed by Snow
White and Elsa :)

Hand

was desperate to work on it for his love to the world. Mini Maui was once again animated by Eric Goldberg. Disney worked once again with Oceanic Cultural Trust, and Nainoa Thompson and Polynesian Voyaging Society to the trust (who`ve reclaimed the artistry of wayfinding). While one of the research trips was a localized one. The Hōkūleʻa (double-hull canoe) was actually in Marina Del Rey in California and we got to go down there and speak with Nainoa Thompson. But Derrick went to Samoa for research. As for the theme of the story, it came from when Derrick realized that you're always growing and changing. However, the entire third act of Moana 2 was still in storyboards in September and the movie has to be done in 16 weeks.

This is going to be the hip and
cool way of slaying fish :)

Simea`s personality and teeth was based on Derrick`s own Simea. And her movements was based on his own daughters clumsy movements. As for Matangi, the screenwriters deliberately wanted her reasons to be complex. To make the Kakamora more sympathetic at the time was a deliberate choice. Bear and Barlow are the youngest composers to work on a animated movie. A song was written just based on percussion loops from the first Moana as inspiration. Can I Get a Che-Hoo was hard to write. But it stayed the same from the day they wrote it. Barlow and Bear threw out a some songs before landing on it (including a number they loved). Chee-Hoo was the last song written, because it took them time to find the balance of heartfelt encouragement and Maui's personality. And every time they tried to write something motivational, it sounded cheesy. So the song took place when it was about Moana starting to believe in herself.

Every club is going to hire me
as their new bodyguard :)

Johnson admits that Che-Hoo? was difficult for him to get right, for going into a lot of different places. But he loved the challenge. Barlow and Bear chose to infuse the song with a Jawaiian beat, a sub-genre of music from Hawaii that combines reggae and hip-hop. That was part of their collaboration with the Oceanic Cultural Trust. Who would review each song the duo wrote them and offer feedback. As for the Oscars, the studio is submitting just two: Beyond and Chee Hoo? The release date of Wicked was moved up to avoid Moana 2 release date.

Epilogue

Yes, these numbers are
heavy :)

At the end,

Moana 2 is another entry into Disney`s evergrowing library of animated movies. But at least it`s notable for two twings: Of being another sequel to the previously non-sequel company Disney. And being a sequel to one of the modest hits of the Revival era. And sure, it`s also milking the formula that Disney are practically synonymous with: A Princess movie that`s a musical. But Moana 2 has been a huge, financial success so far. And while Moana 2 is a result of how desperate times craves for desperate measures (which may be upsetting to the purists who loathes sequels), we`ll have to remember that Hollywood is what it is: A place where finance and success talks and where money does mean everything in such a defining and cynical business. And sure, since Disney has entered another Dark Era financially, it would be tempting to wonder if the following movies of this decade will be as successful as Moana 2. Or if Moana 2 will be the lone huge hit during the dark era (despite how it`s going to be followed by two sequels that will sure become hits, Zootopia 2 and Frozen III).

Yes, we`re trying to make a
pig eat a rooster. It`s
delicious :)

But due to Moana 2 opened strongly, a third movie has been confirmed and it will follow the rut of Frozen. And sure, the success of Moana 2 confirms the stigma of Hollywood of how original properties don`t have any chance to stand on their own. But since Disney have been badly stuck last year (2023), they deserve to have a comeback, anyway. As for my experience of Moana 2, I did actually like it. Despite how it was mostly as expected, I found it to be better than it`s predecessor, due to how the soundtrack was better as a whole. And despite how the songs were from a new composing team, they still felt like they belonged in Moana`s universe. And while it was made by commercial intention, it was still an honorable product. However, whether Moana 2 will stand the test of time and manage to become a classic of it`s own right, there`s nothing left to welcome it to Disney`s evergrowing jungle of animated movies.