Vaiana 2it really looks like Vaianareleased in 2016, with its sublime settings, its good-natured humor and its funny or moving characters. And we couldn’t pay him a greater compliment.
Here we are heading back to Tahiti with the young adventurer, her cute pig and her rooster so stupid that we can’t help but find him cute. She has become more mature but has lost none of her strong character.
“Certainly the public wanted to see more Vaianaexplains director Jason Hand at the Annecy Festival. It was both exciting and terrifying because this wait put a lot of pressure on us.” Supported by David G. Derrick and Dana Ledoux Miller, he sends the heroine back out onto the waves in search of new peoples.
Pay homage to local culture
“The most important thing for us was to pay homage to the local culture while building on a solid history,” says David G. Derrick. Vaiana is therefore charged with a perilous mission allowing her to meet new characters while remaining surrounded by those the viewer adores. New and old in a good balance: the recipe is certainly not original but it remains as effective as ever.
“Our secret is that we work like crazy,” admits David G. Derrick, “and that we take advice from competent people so as not to do stupid things. We are constantly correcting every detail with the help of specialists.” Hero tattoos are, for example, finely studied in order to correspond to reality.
We have a weakness for those of the demigod Maui (who has the voice of Dwayne Johnson in English and that of Anthony Kavanagh in French). As in the first film, they come to life to advise and reward this frankly dissipated hero.
Water and songs
“The immense respect we have for our subject has not stopped us from putting entertainment at the center of our concerns,” insists Jason Hand. Our advisors were not surly and everyone was united to try to make a good film.” The almost photo-realistic settings are as sumptuous as ever, particularly when Moana interacts with a living ocean which supports her in her ordeals. “It’s magical,” admits Jason Hand. It feels like she’s handling a gem. It was, for me, one of the strongest elements of the first film.” Vaiana 2 is a real feast for the eyes.
By singing!
Obviously, Disney obliges, Vaiana (to whom Cerise Calixte still lends her voice) regularly sings songs to express herself. His comrades do the same. “We are aware of having made a musical,” insists David G. Derrick. Singing is a good way to convey strong feelings.” And the songs – notably “Aller plus loin” – are still as successful as ever.
Even before its release, Vaiana 2 is already announced as a future triumph at the international box office. We hope so with all our heart because a not-to-be-missed post-credits sequence gives hope for a new sequel.
