Reasons to See Disney’s Moana

Moana (voiced by Auli’I Cravalho) gives a refreshing take on the Disney princess trope – all her actions are inspired by her own dreams and aspirations, and the film doesn’t even feature a love interest. But Moana’s people distrust the ocean and outsiders and keep themselves isolated from the rest of the world. She’s the type of heroine one hopes little girls will want to be like – empathetic, self-reliant, skilled, hard-working, driven to help others.

Loving: Joel Edgerton (“The Gift”) and Ruth Negga (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) star as Richard and Mildred Loving, a real-life interracial couple whose marriage was illegal in Virgina. And her titular movie is not just old-style Disney, but in the proudly modern tradition of “Mulan” – gently adding diversity without turning everything into multiculturalism lecture. Once she does, the determined but slightly naïve Moana and the arrogant, vain Maui have a fun (if predictable) chemistry, and the story’s message about self-confidence and bravery is welcome (if also predictable). The story is full of Disney fantasy, but Cravalho says her character’s journey toward self-discovery – and the fact that she makes that journey alone – is relatable to everyone. That theme of identity plays out even into the film’s climax, with Moana using the lessons that she’s learned to save the world in a way that hasn’t quite been done before. While she’s not the first athletic female Disney character, she is further proof that handsome doesn’t always mean exaggerated, lithe and curvaceous. And if you’re not singing “You’re Welcome” on the way out, you’re a stronger person than I am.

Moana sets off into the unknown and quickly learns just how unprepared she is for this task. Just as well, Moana’s grandmother encourages Moana to go out to sea and find Maui, but in doing so, she puts an undue pressure on Moana to be “the chosen one”. Her fierce tenacity and desire for adventure provide flawless motivation for her journey to save her people. Alongside your turkey and stuffing, be sure to save room for Disney’s latest, Moana.

The story begins with a prologue provided by Moana’s Gramma Tala (Rachel House) explaining how thousands of years ago, demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) stole the Heart of Te Fiti, a powerful gem that enables the creation of life.

Three primary characters dominate the vibrant animated adventure comedy, “Moana”.

The gorgeous, lush animation in this South Seas saga pays tribute to the natural beauty of the Pacific Islands.

As a caricaturist, Musker admitted he tends to “exaggerate features”. So we deliberately wanted to be kind of inclusive of the Pacific.

It’s pretty hard to dispute that Disney has been absolutely killing it with their animated films ever since Pixar’s John Lasseter took over the entirety of Disney’s animation department.

Below, read our John Musker and Ron Clements interview. The depiction of Disney princesses – and the effects they’ve had on girls growing up – has been increasingly explored in recent years in academia, studies and the media. She does all the Disney Princess™️ things, has the Disney Princess™️ longings, looks after the Disney Princess™️ animal sidekick and sings the Disney Princess™️ songs.

“Moana”, which was produced for $150 million, has a stellar Rotten Tomatoes score of 99 percent.

Moana is an episodic quest tale, but it’s also a buddy movie, as the demi-god and the princess bicker and fight and come to understand one another. Look to other studio output where this line is blurred too much, where there’s a sense of childishness of imagery, or too much attention to detail with regards to crafting a style. It’s something I think that is getting a dramatically positive response, and rightfully so.

Terri Schwartz is Entertainment Editor at IGN.