Moana 2 (2025)

Description

Moana 2 – 4K Ultra HD Disc Review

Disney / Buena Vista | SteelBook Edition | 4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital | Released: March 18, 2025

Disc Specs (4K Ultra HD)

• Disc type: BD-66 (4K UHD)
• Resolution: 2160p (Upscaled from 2K)
• Aspect Ratio: 2.00:1
• Codec: HEVC / H.265 (~51 Mbps)
• HDR Formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10
• Region Coding: Region Free
• Audio:
  • English Dolby Atmos (TrueHD 7.1 Core)
  • English Dolby TrueHD 7.1
  • French, Spanish, Japanese: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
  • Descriptive Audio included
• Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish, Japanese

VIDEO QUALITY: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Despite being upscaled from a 2K digital intermediate, Moana 2 dazzles in 4K with its lush color palette, incredible animation fidelity, and precise HDR grading.

Highlights:

• Color Saturation: Deep blues, teals, and purples are absolutely vibrant, especially in underwater scenes and magical sequences.
• HDR Implementation: Dolby Vision brings a heightened sense of light and shadow, especially in moonlit scenes or moments involving glowing tattoos, bioluminescent ocean life, or Polynesian torches.
• Clarity & Texture: From the fine grain of sand to the embroidery on Moana’s costume, the disc preserves intricate details with superb sharpness.
• Contrast & Black Levels: Clean and inky, giving serious depth to nighttime sailing scenes and jungle sequences.

While animated in 2K, the upscaling is exceptional and enhanced by a flawless HDR grade, making this reference quality for family-friendly animated 4K content.

AUDIO QUALITY: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Disney discs often get criticized for quieter Atmos mixes — not this time. Moana 2 booms with a rich, immersive Dolby Atmos soundstage that fully showcases its sweeping score and layered sound design.

What Stands Out:

• Song Sequences: From a cappella openings to full-throttle ensemble numbers, the musical staging has spectacular verticality and depth. You feel like you’re inside the rhythm.
• Surround Effects: Birds chirp overhead, waves crash across rear speakers, and magical whooshes sweep across the room.
• Dialogue & Vocals: Clear and naturally mixed into the center channel, with perfect intelligibility — even during action or musical crescendos.
• LFE Channel: Adds powerful rumble to waves, thunderous deity reveals, and of course, Maui’s booming voice.

Top-tier Atmos, combining the energy of a stage show with the precision of a well-mixed blockbuster.

SPECIAL FEATURES (ON 4K DISC)

This disc is light on extras but offers a direct-access song menu:

• Song Selection Menu: Choose any musical number with a Play All option — a great tool for families or karaoke sessions.
• Main Feature Only: All additional behind-the-scenes features are reserved for the Blu-ray.

It’s not packed with content on its own, but serves as a pristine delivery system for the main attraction: the film and its music.

OVERALL SCORE: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

Final Thoughts

While the story may tread familiar Disney ground, Moana 2 in 4K UHD is a feast for the senses. Whether you’re drawn in by its soaring vocals, colorful oceanscapes, or the return of Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, this disc offers demo-quality visual and sonic immersion.

RECOMMENDED — especially for fans of Disney animation, Atmos-equipped home theaters, or anyone needing a slice of tropical joy.