As a cinema enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the magical world of Disney animations, I must say that the release of “Moana 2” was a momentous occasion for me. Having grown up with Polynesian traditions and stories, seeing a character like Moana resonate on the big screen was truly heartwarming.
Eight years following the groundbreaking debut of Moana as Disney’s Polynesian Princess, the sequel graced the silver screen, shattering box office records while expanding the enchanting realm of this beloved franchise even further. Unlike its acclaimed predecessor, Moana 2 didn’t receive the same wave of critical praise; however, it has still managed to captivate whole families and fill cinemas with laughter and song. Among the fresh talent is Nalo, a formidable deity brought to life by a Samoan celebrity.
WARNING: MOANA 2 SPOILERS!
In “Moana 2”, the main character, Moana (voiced by Auli‘i Cravalho), uncovers that the deity of storms, Nalo, has cast a spell on mankind. Desiring human history to be erased, Nalo has sunken the legendary island of Motufetu, which is the source of ocean currents. With these channels gone, human tribes are destined to stay divided until isolation eliminates them all. The sequel chronicles Moana and her companions confronting a sentient storm that protects Motufetu while they work together to lift Nalo’s curse.
In the movie, the ominous figure of the storm deity isn’t fully unveiled as a danger until after the closing credits, where Nalo – towering and menacing – vows retribution against Moana. The impact of this revelation lies in Nalo’s booming voice. Interestingly, the actor lending his voice to Nalo is renowned for his comedic roles instead.
From Comedy to Villainy
In the upcoming movie “Moana 2”, it’s Tofiga Fepulea’i who lends his voice to the character Nalo. Tofiga is widely recognized as one of the two members, or half, of the comedic duo known as the Laughing Samoans. Born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1974, it was during church events and White Sunday celebrations that Fepulea’i found his knack for making people laugh. This innate talent eventually paved the way for him to form the Laughing Samoans alongside Eteuati Ete in 2003.
The comedy duo, The Laughing Samoans, exploded onto the cultural scene, creating annual productions such as “A Small Samoan Wedding” (2004), “Old School” (2005), and “Fobulous” (2013). Their popularity extended beyond New Zealand, captivating audiences in Australia, the United States, Cook Islands, Hawaii, Fiji, and England. After a 13-year run and a TV series titled “The Laughing Samoans at Large“, they called it quits in 2016. Subsequently, Fepulea’i embarked on his solo career with “I Gan’t Believe It” in 2017 and expanded his horizons with supporting roles in films like “Three Wise Cousins” (2016) and “Take Home Pay” (2019), focusing on Pacific-centric narratives.
Despite being an exceptionally skilled artist, Fepulea’i has managed to avoid Hollywood’s limelight until the upcoming “Moana 2”. Now, there’s much curiosity surrounding the man who lends such weight to Moana’s new main antagonist. A post-credit scene doesn’t fully utilize Fepulea’i’s voice-acting abilities, but with the potential for even greater exposure in “Moana 3”, he may shine even brighter when it graces the big screen. Given that a post-credit scene hints at Walt Disney Animation’s intentions to produce a sequel, and possibly a third installment, there’s hope that Nalo might have a larger part to play in future stories.
Moana 2 is currently playing in theaters worldwide.
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2024-11-28 21:13