Moana -review

By Nadia Ranaputri

Source: Collider
Directors: Ron Clements and John Musker
Voice cast: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nichole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk.

After hitting streaks with gems like the good ol’ The Incredibles (still waiting on that sequel now, Disney), Finding Nemo, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, and Finding Dory, Disney has managed to create yet another gem among their streak with Moana. It’s also Disney’s first venture into the Polynesian culture since Lilo and Stitch.

Moana is the name of its own title character, who is the daughter of the tribe’s chief. Learning the Polynesian myths as she grows up, Moana discovers her love for the ocean. When her island succumbs and is seemingly dying, Moana embarks on a quest that involves the demigod Maui, a silly chicken, and a mysterious stone.

Leading ladies are no stranger to films, especially with Disney, and Moana herself proves to be one of the best. She’s not your typical Disney hero to say the least, and princess is she not. Voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, Moana carries her own film with leading grace, grabbing the audience literally by the ear just as she did with Maui in the film, stating: “I am Moana of Motunui. You will board my boat.” And just as Cravalho said, Moana is also the hero of her own story.

Completing the striking duo of the film is Dwayne Johnson’s Maui, whose personality and story is as interesting as his many dancing tattoos that not only provide some of the film’s best laughs, but also a story and a lot of heart. He may seem cocky and narcissistic, and he definitely kept these traits even as he journeys along with Moana, but he has his heroic moments, too.
Source: NPR
The story follows a slight typical route for a Disney film, but that doesn’t mean that it drags the film down. Moana has plenty of fresh new beats to the story that you end up really enjoying the film as it sails along. Moana doesn’t beat Disney’s other streak this year that is Zootopia, but it's damn close; yet I found it more entertaining than Finding Dory. As a whole, though, Moana has aspects and story that you'd pretty much expect from a Disney film, but because it manages to have its own new beats, it's still a very entertaining film. There’s great action sequences that are swell and very, very fun. Rest assured, they’re as fun for the adults as they are for the kids.

Moana may have a few tropes on its run, but it also pokes fun at the typical tropes, kind of like how Enchanted poked fun at all the singing and fairytale tropes, like when Robert muttered out: “Oh, he sings, too” when Prince Edward reunites with Giselle. And of course, a Disney film is not without its humor. Moana is no exception. Many of the humor do hit, yet only a few don’t stick the landing.

Speaking of beats, the music in the film is a joy to the ears, with my favorite pieces from the film being We Know the Way, You're Welcome (which by the way, was a very fun sequence) and How Far I’ll Go. The songs elevate the film and I loved the use of the drums as well as the unique harmonization from the singers. Some are a joy to hear, and some add layers of emotions that really gave goose bumps for me, even if this was my first time hearing these songs (I did not listen to any of the songs in the soundtrack prior to watching the film).

Source: WRAL.com
For Disney’s latest venture of the Polynesian culture, it’s far more than impressive. Moana delves well into the Polynesian myths, complete with great songs, great characters, save for that chicken Hei Hei, who’s quite something; and another great story. It has its tropes and it can sometimes fall victim to the typical storyline from Disney, but when you’ve got a strong and spirited lead, a narcissistic demigod, and an idiotic little chicken; how hard would it be not to like it more than you should?

Stars: 4.2/5

0 Comments