Author: Francine Brokaw

Christmas episodes of 2 favorite BritBox series launch their new seasons

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Two of BritBox’s beloved mysteries return in 2025 however they both have holiday episodes this month to whet your appetite for the upcoming season of Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise. 

Beyond Paradise

On December 25th BritBox will begin streaming the Beyond Paradise Christmas Special 2024. All of the cast has returned for this third season: Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman, Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd, Zahra Ahmadi as DE Esther Williams, Dylan Llewellyn as PC Kelby Hartford, Barbara Flynn as Anne Lloyd, and Felicity Montagu as Margo Martins.

The Christmas special has two main storylines running through the show. First, Humphrey and Martha are fostering a teenager. Fostering a child is not as easy as they originally hoped, and a teenager adds even more difficulties. As they try to forge a connection with Jaiden, Humphrey has another problems.

The Shipton Abbott police force has their hands full with a missing Virgin Mary mannequin that has been stolen from the church. Kelby is assigned “Virgin Mary” detail and goes off in search of the mannequin.

Meanwhile, Humphrey and Ester are mystified by a man who keeps seeing his dead wife. And not only that, there are traces of the woman around the house. Could it be a spirit? Most likely not, as Humphrey uses his intelligence to add up clues to discover what is happening to that poor old man and who is tormenting him.

Both mysteries are solved by the end of the episode, as is the relationship between Martha and Jaiden.

Beyond Paradise returns for season 3 next spring.

Death in Paradise

Photo credit: Lou Denim

The Death in Paradise Christmas Special 2024 premieres December 27, 2024 and it’s like a homecoming for fans of the show who have been anxiously awaiting the return of this colorful cast. The show takes place on the tropical island of Saint Marie with all the beauty of that island front and center. Even the wardrobes are colorful and tropical.

As fans of the series know, the show premiered in 2011 and has had a steady fanbase through the years even though the main Detective Inspector has changed several times. At the end of last season DI Neville Parker left the island so the police department in Honore is now down to DS Naomi Thomas (Shantou Jackson), Officer Darlene Curtis (Ginny Holder), Officer Dwayne Myers (Danny John-Jules), and Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington). 

They are desperately in need of a Detective Inspector when multiple Santas are murdered seemingly by the same gun at the same time. How could this be?

Enter DI Melvin Wilson (Don Gilet), who is on the island on his vacation from his job in London. He is a city boy and cannot adjust to the slower island life. He’s anxious to return to his beloved London but is asked by his supervisor to remain on Saint Marie to help them solve this strange case. Wilson is the only character not donning tropical attire as he refuses to get any more involved there than necessary. 

Needless to say, DI Wilson ruffles a few feathers and definitely gets on everyone’s nerves. He does not want to associate with his fellow officers or the people in the town. He just wants to solve the crime and get back to London.

It’s not like fans of the show aren’t used to a new DI coming in and being rather strange or unusual. There have been four DIs that have come to Honore, and each one has had his own quirks. (Humphrey Goodman is the only one to have a spinoff – Beyond Paradise.)

With the town on edge, it’s not a festive holiday season on the island until the mystery is finally solved. 

With Wilson entering the scene, viewers start the season with a new character who really doesn’t fit into the island at all, but it looks like it just might be where he belongs. And Dwayne is considering leaving the department. He’s a colorful character inside and out.

Also returning are Elizabeth Bourgnine as Catherine Borday, Mayor of Honore and owner of the local pub/restaurant, and of course Harry, the adorable lizard who lives at the beach shack given to the current DI.

Season 14 of Death in Paradise returns with new episodes in February 2025.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Images Courtesy BritBox

‘A Royal Christmas Ballet’ premieres on GAF

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

This is the season when kids and adults look forward to attending The Nutcracker Ballet in cities and towns across the country. For many families it is a holiday tradition. So having a Christmas movie focused on ballet is a treat. A Royal Ballet is filled with plenty of ballet sequences, Nutcracker and holiday music, and a fairytale storyline.

Brittany Underwood and Jonathan Stoddard star in this story of royalty, romance, and revelations. Underwood is Carrie, a retired ballerina who is now the creative director of a local dance company. Stoddard is Prince William who is asked by his mother the Queen, or rather requested by her, to accompany Medea (Daniela Couso), a ballerina from their country to America. She is going to perform in Carrie’s production as part of an arts exchange program between the two countries.

Medea is talented but she is also a snob and has her heart set on being Prince William’s girlfriend, although he is not interested in her that way. Medea jealousy of Carrie has her conniving and she tries various tricks to keep William’s attention while they are in America, however once William meets Carrie his attention is diverted and she is the object of his concentration, and affection.

There is an instant connection between Carrie and Prince William.

The prince’s aid, Colin (Allen Guy Wilcox), sees the attraction but stays out of the way of all three characters. His duty is to the prince.

While Carrie and William get to know each other, their attraction grows. She takes him to a tree farm where he has the unique job of chopping down a Christmas tree for the school. This is something new to him.  Also among the experiences Carrie introduces William to is the joy of riding on a carousel, something he has never been able to do. Of course he has, as he admits, cut ribbons and visited them, however William has never actually ridden on a carousel.

While Carrie entices everyone with all the baked goodies from her mother, she indulges in some sweets herself. And when she is disappointed when William has to break a dinner date – thanks to Medea’s interference – Carrie orders all the desserts in the restaurant. Who among us has had that idea at some time or another? Why order an entree when you can eat all the desserts? 

As with all the sweet (no pun intended) and heartfelt stories this time of year, A Royal Christmas Ballet does not disappoint. It ends exactly as we expect and want. 

A Royal Christmas Ballet premieres December 22, 2024 on Great American Family.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

 

Photos courtesy Great American Media

‘Panda Bear in Africa’ dropping January 2025

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

A new animated adventure is coming to digital and DVD.

Ride on an exciting adventure with a courageous young panda as he journeys across the world in the new animated feature, PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA. Thrilling wildlife such as lions, hippos, gorillas, and meerkats meets laughter and fun in this charming furry feature. On January 28, 2025.

An exciting and fun-filled family movie adventure that offers a colorful storyline, endearingly chaotic animal characters and a delightful blend of humor and hijinks…

…this rescue tale celebrates the values of friendship and bravery as Pang sets on a quest across the globe to save his best friend Jielong from kidnapping lions. The hero adventure offers uplifting messages emphasizing the importance of kindness, understanding, and acceptance of others, making it a great choice for family viewing.

The DVD version will be available in the spring.

Check out the trailer below.

‘Let it Snow’ on Great American Family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Candace Cameron Bure and Jesse Hutch star in this holiday film that celebrates Christmas to the “n”th degree.

Bure is Stephanie Beck whose father Ted (Alan Thicke) owns a big resort company. After he buys a charming little resort in Maine, he dispatches Stephanie up to the property to see how they can remake it into a resort that fits his company’s design. All of their properties cater to young couples without kids.

Stephanie is at first a stuck up executive but once ensconced in the atmosphere of Snow Valley and taken in by the current owners, she begins to feel the Christmas spirit and relive some of her few holiday memories. Having been somewhat distant from her father after her mother’s death when she was six, Stephanie does not have the closeness with him she desires. And Ted definitely does not have an ounce of Christmas spirit.

Tasked with turning the resort into the newest “hot spot” for young up-and-comers, she gets to work checking all the things that need to be changed. What she discovers is that the resort has 100 per cent occupancy for a great deal of the year, and that’s due to all the families that return year after year to celebrate the holiday with the Lewis family who go out of their way to keep the traditions alive that were established years ago. How can she change this when it’s proven to be a winning routine?

Brady (Hutch) is the Lewis’ son who, in the beginning, does not get along with Stephanie and who has no desire to remain at the resort once her father takes over. But little by little, as he warms to Stephanie and sees how she turns from a stuck-up executive from Phoenix into a caring, Christmas-loving woman this endears her to him as well as to his parents.

Stephanie’s dispute with her father about the direction in which the resort should go causes a further rift between them. Is there any way she can break the ice around his heart so they can be closer and share the holiday together? 

Brady and Stephanie devise a plan, but will it be enough to keep the resort the family-friendly place it is or will it fail and will Ted’s plan to tear it down and make it into a hot new destination win?

As the week goes on, Stephanie and Brady grow closer and realize they have more in common than they originally thought. Plus, yes, they do fall in love.

The story might bring a tear to viewers’ eyes at the end. After all, it’s a Christmas miracle.

Let it Snow premieres December 8, 2024 on Great American Family.

 
About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Photo courtesy Great American Media

Disneyland is going to be 70 next year – “Celebrate Happy!”

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

“Disneyland is your land.” Walt Disney spoke those words back in 1955. 70 years later Disneyland is thriving and growing. “Here age relives fond memories of the past – and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future.” 

in 2025 Disneyland will celebrate 70 years of making families happy and memories that last a lifetime. 

Beginning May 16, 2025 the celebrations begin and continue through summer 2026. What a party!

What’s in store for this big celebration? Plenty. Here are some of the new shows planned for the 70th anniversary.

During select nights in January through June 2025, Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., will host four themed soirées packed with unique entertainment, rare character encounters and distinctive menus of sweet treats and savory snacks. For additional information on festivals and limited-time events at Disneyland Resort, visit DisneyParksBlog.com. photo: Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort

    photo: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort

“Paint the Night” parade will return to Main Street, U.S.A. It’s a colorful and musical parade featuring floats and characters from Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, Cars, Monsters, Inc., Beauty and the Beast, and more.

Another nighttime spectacular, “Wondrous Journeys” celebrates Walt Disney and the creations, characters, and stories from the studio. Projections on Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, “it’s a small world façade”, and the buildings along Main Street, U.S.A. add to the music and storytelling projected through the park. And fireworks will also add a special touch to this spectacular on select nights. Guests will relive parts of Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Frozen, Peter Pan, Moana, Encanto, Big Hero 6 and more popular films families have taken to their hearts.

photo: Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort

“Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!” is a new parade winding through the streets of Disneyland. 

Disney California Adventure was a parking lot when Disneyland opened. It is now a separate park with attractions, restaurants, and shows. The all new “World of Color Happiness!” nighttime spectacular is inspired by the emotions from Inside Out and Inside Out 2. Plus there are nods to Turning Red, Tangled, The Lion King, and more. With music, lasers, flame effects, and colorful lights in Paradise Bay, this show is definitely going to impress guests of all ages.

“Celebrate Happy” is the new theme song for the anniversary event. After all, Disneyland is “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Walt himself would be proud by what is in store for guests of all ages to his park, or rather your park. It’s where dreams come true. 

It’s time to start planning your family vacation for Disneyland’s 70th year of magic and memories.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane’ airs on Hallmark Channel

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Hallmark Channel’s Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane expands the Cherry Lane films with three new stories all taking place on Christmas Eve in three separate decades.

Three stories about three different families all living in the same house at different times come together in this film about making new Christmas memories.  With a variety of Hallmark actors, these stories are separate however viewers will be delighted to see how they are connected – but that is only divulged at the end!

1960 is the year when Penny (Erica Durance) and her husband Eli (Benjamin Ayres) are celebrating the holiday with Eli’s father Walter (Serge Houde), who has moved into their house temporarily while recovering from a broken hip. Walter is not the friendliest man and definitely gruff. While Eli and Penny try to break through to his more gentle side, they all work together to help little Alex (Noah Bromley) with his Christmas school project. Alex is tasked with making a family time capsule which they will bury in the back yard and dig up in 10 years. 

Fast forward to 1998 when Regina (Catherine Bell) is living in the house and awaiting the arrival of her family on Christmas. A widow, she is content being alone however when Nelson (James Denton) arrives to help with her broken water line, Regina is happy to have the company. Nelson happened to be in the neighborhood when a call went out about the broken water pipe. And, well, since his car died and he is waiting for the tow truck, he offered his services to this stranger. The two spend the day talking, watching TV, and waiting for the tow truck as the storm rages outside. Will Regina finally let the walls down around her and open up to another man?

And in 2015 Jessie (Julie Gonzalo) is a bit panicked when her sister’s wedding venue goes out of business the same day of the wedding. Jessie is talked into having the wedding in her back yard. The officiant, Pastor Tim (Ryan Rottman) happens to be the guy who broke her heart 20-years ago when they were in High School, although he sees things differently. While the two work together to get this last minute wedding off the ground, they rekindle old feelings and learn about each other in a way that adds clarity to their past. 

These three stories have two things in common: they all take place on Christmas Eve and they all take place in the same house. Cherry Lane is the place where all kinds of things happen, especially on Christmas Eve.

Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane premieres December 12, 2024 on Hallmark Channel.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

 

Image courtesy Hallmark Media

‘The Art of Disney Moana 2’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Continuing with “The Art Of” books highlighting Disney animated films, “The Art of Moana 2” is a colorful and educational deep dive into the story, the animation, and everything it took to bring the story of Moana back to the screen.

Artwork, storyboards, designs of characters, scenery and wardrobe combine with commentary from those connected with the project. Even for those fans of the island princess who have yet to see the film, this book will not fail to disappoint as it gives plenty of backstory to the scenes and the various characters.

In the movie Moana is three years older than in the first film as are her parents. And now she has a three and a half year old sister, Simea, who will undoubtedly steal the show. She is adorable and a mini-Moana. The age difference between them coincides with the age difference between one of the filmmaker’s own children, and little Simea was modeled after the little girl. Her teeth are described as her iconic feature.

In this sequel, Moana goes from simply being “Moana of Motunui” to  Moana of the entire ocean as she sets out on a more involved adventure to look for other island civilizations. If she does not find any then Motunui will remain isolated, however if she does find other people this will be a blessing for everyone to band together and become a South Seas community.

The story, scenery, objects, and characters were designed after those in many of the Polynesian islands. Taking their cue from different islands in Polynesia, the filmmakers created a realistic look at life through the eyes of Moana and her friends and family.

Besides Moana taking this dangerous journey, there are several wayfinders who join her, and yes, little Pua finally gets to come along. Each of the characters are described in the book and their wardrobes were created to reflect various personalities and islands of the South Pacific. 

In the story the ocean does not divide the islands, it connects them. That is a theme of Moana 2.

In the “Preface” Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Executive Producer Jennifer Lee states, “Reigniting the magic of Moana has been a great privilege and joy for all of us at Disney Animation.”  

As the animators dedicated their work to design realistic canoes from the islands, they worked tirelessly to create a story that reflects not only the spirit of Moana but also the legacy of the islands.

In the film loved ones who have passed return as animals, and there are some pretty amazing animals in the story. Some of the history of various animals and island traits are described. Some of them never made it into the film but many did and the images in the book along with the descriptions take readers right into the story, the legends, and the history.

The Art of Disney Moana 2 is a beautiful addition to the series of books dedicated to the filmmakers who have brought fans many hours of enjoyment. Flipping through the pages is mesmerizing, and reading why and how the filmmakers came up with the people, places, and things provides a deep insight into the world of Moana.

THE ART OF MOANA 2 

  • Chronicle Books
  • By Kalikolehua Hurley, Jennifer Lee (Preface), David Derrick Jr. (Foreword), Jason Hand (Foreword), Dana Ledoux Miller (Foreword)
    11 x 9 in, 160 pp • Hardcover, jacketed
  • ISBN: 978-1797232713 • $45.00 

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment and has done so for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Photos courtesy Chronicle Books

Fun books for kids to celebrate Hanukkah

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Hanukkah (Chanukah) is late this year. The Jewish holiday follows the Hebrew calendar so it occurs at different times on our calendar each year. This year it begins the night of December 15, 2024 and runs through January 2, 2025.

The holiday celebrates the story of the miracle of the Maccabees, the ancient Jews who fought against the Greeks for their religious freedom. The oil in the Eternal Light was only supposed to last for one day but it miraculously lasted eight days, that is why the holiday is celebrated for eight days.

Each night a new candle is added to the Menorah, a prayer is said, and Jews around the world give thanks to God for the miracle and their freedom.

Here, courtesy PJ Publishing, are several books to celebrate the holiday with your children. They are available on PJ Library’s Amazon web store.(amazon.com/p.jlibrary)

From PJ Publishing:

BABY-AGE 2

You’re My Little Latke!

Written by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Natalie Marshall, Printers Row Publishing Group

Hanukkah is full of tasty treats and fun traditions, but the best part of all is sharing it with your little ones. From the best-selling You’re My Little series comes You’re My Little Latke, a sweet, festive board book with cut-outs and raised elements on every page, featuring everything from yummy latkes to golden gelt to shining menorahs, all paired with sweet rhyming text. ($9.99srp)

 

Jewish Cats All Year Round

Written and illustrated by Varda Livney, PJ Publishing

 Jewish cats (and their mouse friends) celebrate Jewish holidays all year long . . . and so can Jewish babies! This cozy board book takes you through the Jewish calendar year with adorable art and simple text. Babies will love seeing their own faces smiling back from the mirror at the end! ($9.99srp, available on the PJ Library Amazon Web Store)

 

AGES 6-8

Hanukkah Upside Down

Written by Elissa Brent Weissman, illustrated by Omer Hoffman, Abrams

 In this award-winning, delightfully upside-down picture book holiday story, cousins from opposite sides of the globe debate who can celebrate the best Hanukkah. Eight chances to prove it—may the best cousin win! From their homes in New York and New Zealand, cousins Noah and Nora decide to have a competition. Winter versus summer: Who can have the world’s best Hanukkah? But as the eight nights go on, the contest proves tougher than they imagined. A warm, witty holiday story from acclaimed award-winning creators Elissa Brent Weissman and Omer Hoffmann, Hanukkah Upside Down shows that while there are countless ways to celebrate Hanukkah, family is what matters most. ($18.99srp)

 

Onions & Garlic

Written by Rebecca Sheir, Illuatrated by Sabina Hahn, PJ Publishing

In this graphic adaptation of an old Yiddish folktale, Haskell masters the art of cooking onions, survives a shipwreck, and finds himself successful beyond his wildest dreams. Retold by public radio veteran Rebecca Sheir, with comic-format artwork by Sabina Hahn, Onions & Garlic is inspired by the first live episode of the award-winning podcast Circle Round (WBUR). A humorous tale about the realities of supply and demand, Onions & Garlic will delight readers of all ages. ($8.99srp, available on the PJ Library Amazon Web Store)

 

AGES 9-12

Detour Ahead

Written by Pamela Ehrenberg, Tracy López

Every weekday morning, 12-year-old Gilah takes the same public bus to her school in Washington, DC, and this year, she’s finally allowed to ride alone. On the very first day, the bus swerves too close to a bicyclist, and Gilah finds the courage to alert the driver to stop the bus. Without a bike, 13-year-old Guillermo starts riding the H4 with Gilah. This National Jewish Book Award finalist is the story of a Salvadoran-American boy who is a poet, a neuro-diverse Jewish girl who loves breakdancing, and how they navigate the detours of their families, their friendship, and their lives. ($9.99srp, available on the PJ Library Amazon Web Store)

Other fun suggestions:

***

For a gift that keeps on giving well past the eight days of Hanukkah, sign up for a free PJ Library subscription to receive a new, age-specific book each month. PJ Library inspires joyful Jewish experiences by sending free storybooks and activities to families with children ages 0-12 and offering ways to connect with community. The program was founded in 2005 by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) and, with the support of generous donors and partners, now distributes books in seven languages to more than 650,000 children in over 40 countries every month. The PJ Library family experience is built around the monthly storybooks and also includes family-focused holiday guides and other free gifts. Anyone who visits PJ Library’s website can hear original storytelling podcasts and explore a vast collection of Jewish parenting resources. The program is designed to be welcoming for families across the diversity of Jewish life. Learn more or sign up for monthly children’s books at pjlibrary.org.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Images courtesy PJ Library

‘Moana 2’ – Movie Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Moana 2 is getting mixed reviews because it was originally designed to be a limited series on Disney+ but was truncated into a feature film. The story itself is basically in tact however there are some parts that would most likely have been explored more in a series, mainly the background of some of the characters.

This story  takes place three years after Moana met Maui and the whole adventure of the island princess began. Moana is a Wayfinder and loves exploring the ocean.

She now has a little sister (little sis) named Simea who (as I predicted when I first saw the trailers) steals the show. She is adorable and hopefully her character will be explored further in future projects, whether they are for TV or film.

Moana gets a call from her ancestors to travel the ocean to find other people. If she does not connect to other island people, Motunui will be doomed. She is told to follow a comet to her destination.

Moana sets out on this dangerous journey with her beloved pig Pua, her chicken Heihei, and three others she selected to help along the way. These three people from Motunui – Mono, Toto, and Kele – are chosen for their individual qualities, but more back story about them would have been helpful to understand why she selected them to be her crew. And it would be interesting to know why Loto has a Australian accent when no one else does.

Her task is to set foot on an island that has been cursed. It was cursed to divide the island peoples and the only way to break the curse and unite the people of the different islands is for a human to touch it. But getting there is the trick.

First they confront the Kakamora (their story is from the first film). Then Moana and her crew, along with Maui, have to escape from a giant clam and then they must traverse violent waves and storms. Maui must raise the island from the floor of the ocean where it was sent by the curse, and then Moana has to touch it, which proves to be quite a feat for both Maui and Moana.

There are some cute aspects of the film. Moana has her fan group of little girls on Motunui who dress like her and have their own pig, which they named Pua. Simea adores her big sis and wants to go with her on the journey, but being only three years old it is too dangerous for her. 

Both Pua and Heihei add cuteness to the film, as do the kids on Motunui and especially Simea.

Moana’s connection to the ocean is imperative and continues in this film. Also, the scenery is magnificent. It’s like a travel log to the South Pacific.

I saw the movie with someone who had not seen the original film. She enjoyed it but would have liked to have known more about the aspects of Moana and Maui (and the Kakamora) that were in the first film. Although it’s not necessary to have seen Moana, it does help audiences to understand the characters and situations.

Spoiler alert – Moana does die in the film but is brought back by her ancestors and is now a demigod. 

Moana 2 is not as good as the first film and there are no songs that stand out like there were in Moana. Knowing the background of how this became a film instead of a streaming series I was prepared to be very disappointed. It was better than I expected. With the exception of some deeper dives into the characters and the lack of great songs, it is a decent attempt at a sequel. Disney is noted for sequels. This is not one of their best but it is okay. And Moana is a beloved Disney Princess so her fans will most likely enjoy the continuation of her story.

Moana 2 is rated PG for action/peril.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image courtesy Disney