Pride - and criticism: reactions across the Pacific to Moana 2

Audiences across the Pacific have welcomed Moana 2 and cheered seeing aspects of their culture on the big screen, but Disney's portrayal of the demigod character Maui has drawn some criticism for reinforcing stereotypes.

- Tiare Tuuhia Tahiti Bethanie Harriman

A sequel to the 2016 animated film, Moana 2 reunites Auli'i Cravalho as the wayfinding title character with Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, on a voyage to break a curse and reunite the people of the ocean.

The original film was a huge hit with audiences and draws inspiration from Pacific mythology and culture. It follows Moana, a young islander who must voyage across the ocean to save her people from a terrible threat. She is helped along the way by Maui and other friends.

Disney's blockbuster sequel has already smashed records and grossed more than $400m (£310m) worldwide. Many people across the Pacific - a vast region that includes thousands of islands and is home to diverse communities, languages and cultures - embraced the film and how it reflects aspects of their way of life.

In Papua New Guinea's capital, Port Moresby, Lawrence Lahari took his three young children to watch the film, and they talked about it for days.

"Great humour... and it definitely pulled the heartstrings of our kids. The Polynesian storyline is very evident. We felt proud, at last a movie on the big screen that we can all relate to!," Lahari said.

The Samoan poet Penehuro Williams also felt that the film represented the Pacific well.