When “Moana” arrived in 2016, it was a charmer – a Walt Disney ode to the Polynesian culture that was full of life, beautiful animation and a wonderful story that appealed to the whole family.

The sequel finally arrives after originally being conceived as a limited series for Disney+ before adjusted to a direct to streamer future to its final incarnation as a feature film.

“Moana 2” might have been best left to the original plans, with this sequel lacking the imagination and most of the charm of the first film. This isn’t a bad film, but in a year already full of amazing animation it all seems kind of middle of the road in comparison.

The sequel finds Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) exploring near her home island of Motunui in the hope of finding Motufetu – an island that disappeared along with all of its residents years ago after being cursed by the storm God Nalo.

When Moana has a vision from one of her ancestors that may guide her to the location of Motufetu she sets out with a crew on an adventure to find it – and in turn free the natives that have been trapped on the island.

Along the way Moana reunites with Maui (Dwayne Johnson) – teaming up to try and break Nalo’s curse.

“Moana 2” is only 100 minutes long, but it still feels like a razor-thin story has been stretched way more than it should have. There are a couple of musical numbers sprinkled in along the way, but they are all forgettable at best – cookie cutter songs that are quickly forgotten as soon as they are over.

Add to that an antagonist that really feels like an afterthought and it only adds to the shortcomings of the flimsy screenplay.

The film still looks good with the Polynesian culture depicted in beautiful animation that really showcases the location quite effectively. But it all proves to be nothing but window dressing for a film desperately in need of a better script.

It’s the kind of sequel that is probably the worst of them all – one that just feels like it is going through the motions with nothing much to offer.

In most years “Moana 2” might be able to coast by on goodwill. But in a year where we’ve already seen high quality animated entries like “The Wild Robot” and “Inside Out 2” (with a few smaller films about to be sprinkled in), “Moana 2” gets lost in the shuffle – a mediocre sequel that doesn’t live up to the original.

If You Go
“Moana 2”
Starring: Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson (voices)
Directed by: David Derrick, Jr. Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Rating: PG for action/peril
Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)
Grade: C