Disney’s Moana 2 takes viewers on a vibrant journey across the ocean but falls short of the groundbreaking charm of the original. While it retains much of the magic that made Moana an instant classic, this sequel is a lighter, less impactful voyage.

The original Moana set an almost unattainable standard. As one of Disney’s most celebrated animated films, it earned praise for its refreshing Polynesian mythology, dazzling animation, and unforgettable characters like Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson). Critics hailed its originality and ingenious songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, placing it near the top of Disney’s cinematic pantheon.

The sequel begins with Moana leading her people as voyagers, following the first film’s conclusion. The story takes an intriguing turn when she learns of Motofetu, a cursed island that once served as a hub for ocean civilizations. The premise gives Moana a compelling reason to reunite with Maui and set out on a high-stakes quest to restore the island’s legacy. Yet, despite this promising setup, Moana 2 doesn’t capture the same sense of urgency or wonder.

The film retains its bold, colorful animation and lively pacing but leans heavily on broader humor and less substantial storytelling. The songs, while enjoyable, feel more obligatory than integral, lacking the emotional depth that defined the first movie. They serve more as filler than as moments of revelation or character development.

While the journey is entertaining, it lacks the fresh sense of discovery that made its predecessor so beloved. The stakes feel lower, and the humor, though fun, occasionally overshadows the heartfelt moments that made Moana a standout.

Sir Elton John has revealed that his upcoming album is on hold due to ongoing struggles with his eyesight following an infection in July. The legendary singer shared on ABC’s Good Morning America that he has been unable to see out of his right eye for four months, while vision in his left eye has also been impaired.

Discussing the challenges, he explained, “I can do something like this [interview], but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start.”

Elton expressed frustration, saying, “It kind of floored me… I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.”

While he admitted he’s currently “stuck” and hasn’t worked on the album recently, he remains hopeful about his recovery. He shared that ongoing treatments have brought “hope and encouragement” that his condition will improve.

For now, the 76-year-old icon is focusing on his health, with optimism that his creative endeavors will soon resume.

Drake has initiated legal proceedings against Universal Music Group and Spotify, alleging that the success of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us was inflated through artificial streaming tactics. Filed by his company, Frozen Moments LLC, in New York, the claim accuses the companies of employing bots, payola, and other means to amplify the song’s reach.

• Drake’s legal team claims Universal orchestrated a campaign to manipulate streaming data, ensuring Not Like Us dominated platforms like Spotify.
• It is alleged that Universal slashed royalty rates for the track by 30% in return for enhanced Spotify recommendations.
• A purported whistleblower claimed on a podcast they were paid $2,500 to set up bots to stream the track repeatedly.

The diss track achieved remarkable milestones, amassing 96 million streams in a week, topping the U.S. charts, and becoming a top 10 radio hit—success that Drake’s lawyers argue was not organic.

Universal Music called the allegations “offensive and untrue,” emphasizing that fans independently choose their music preferences. Neither Spotify nor Kendrick Lamar has publicly commented on the lawsuit.

The filing is a “pre-action petition,” a legal step allowing Drake’s team to request the preservation of documents and evidence before pursuing a formal lawsuit.

The petition also references online user complaints that Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, played Not Like Us when prompted to stream Drake’s album Certified Loverboy. Drake’s lawyers argue this could be part of a wider scheme to overshadow his work.