If Disney Pixar wanted to release something different, they certainly succeeded with their new movie, “Moana.”
The film stars Auli’i Cravalho as Moana, a young Polynesian princess, and Dwayne Johnson as Maui, her demigod friend. The two voyage across the sea to save her home from monsters.
This movie can be described as different from other Disney princess movies. There are similarities to princess movies of the past, but Moana feels different in a good way.
For starters, Disney has shown that they are continuing to further diversify their main characters. Instead of giving audiences more of the same European based stories, Moana is a Polynesian princess from the Pacific Islands. Even her voice actress, Auli’i Cravalho, is a 16 year old from Honolulu, Hawaii.
One thing I liked about “Moana” is that unlike Disney princess movies of the past, Moana has no singular love interpret, instead Moana only has love for her family and for her people. This allows the film to break from the typical Disney princess plot that we have seen in the past.
Visually, the movie is stunning. For anyone that appreciated Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch” for its tropical atmosphere, they will be pleased to find that ‘Moana has more of the same. The animation in this film is very enjoyable.
Dwayne Johnson also does an amazing job as Maui. Johnson brings a certain flair and comedic touch to the roll that helps to carry the film. Together, Johnson and Cravalho’s vocal talents compliment each other well throughout the film.
Like any other Disney movie, “Moana” features a lot of singing. Personally, I found some of the singing to at times be excessive. However, there were also scenes that had some genuinely catchy tunes. In this aspect, “Moana” follows the fanliliar singing formula that you will find in other Disney movies. For anyone who enjoys a Disney musical, this will be a good time.
Overall, I would say that “Moana” is a pretty good time. I really enjoyed that this movie feels different while maintaining all the fun aspects that makes Disney movies great. The duo of Cravalho as Moana and Johnson as Maui is entertaining and keeps the film fresh. Adding in the amazing animation of the Pacific Islands with an interesting plot makes “Moana” an entertaining film.