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That makes this film no less than an egregious downgrade.
To be fair, the firstMoanais a tough act to follow.
Its soundtrack, including the Oscar-nominated How Far Ill Go, helped buoy the title princess to Disney-icon status.
In the years since, as is so often the case, Mirandas unprecedented success birthed a backlash.
Whats often lost in the critiques of Miranda being cringe (still not a crime!)
is that hes also an exceptionally gifted artist.
And the failure ofMoana 2s bland mimicry is a reminder that we must not take him for granted.
Even more than withMoana, the music ofEncantois its strongest selling point.
Let It Go wishes.
No song inMoana 2will come close toFrozenorEncantochart numbers.
but theirMoana 2offerings are unlikely to win them any new fans.
Even with Mancina and Foai back, the soundtrack is constantly grasping for something well out of reach.
Comparing these two numbers offers a clear distillation of what Miranda brought toMoanaand what Barlow and Bear lack.
The new composers understand the function of an I want song but not how to make it sing.
Getting these musical moments right is crucial.
I want songs are not a Disney invention theyre fundamental to musical-theater storytelling.
(Sample lyric: Moana, come on-a, unlock your destiny.)
Miranda is not perfect, of course.
(Let us not forget The Scuttlebutt, performed by Awkwafina as a CGI gannet.)
Its time to push past any negative Miranda feelings and let him help right this ship.
