Moana (2016)

Released in November 2016, Moana is a Walt Disney Animation Studios production set in ancient Polynesia, following a chief's daughter who must cross the open ocean to find the demigod Maui and lift a curse threatening her island. The film arrived during a particularly productive run for the studio, slotting into a period that had already produced Frozen and Zootopia, and it brought with it a genuine attempt to root its world in Pacific Islander culture and mythology, with Disney consulting widely with communities across the region during production. The result is something that feels, at least visually and musically, a fair distance from the studio's usual European fairy-tale comfort zone. The songs were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i, and Mark Mancina, which partly explains why the soundtrack lodged itself so firmly in the heads of every parent of a young child in 2016 and stayed there.

The film was co-directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, a partnership with deep roots in the Disney renaissance. Musker and Clements previously gave us The Little Mermaid (1989) and Hercules (1997), so the duo know a thing or two about building an animated adventure around mythology and a determined protagonist with a big musical number or three. Their visual instincts are all over Moana, particularly in the ocean sequences, which are polished but never showy for the sake of it. The film runs 107 minutes, a comfortable length that keeps things moving without overstaying its welcome.

On the voice cast, newcomer Auliʻi Cravalho leads as Moana herself, bringing a warmth and conviction to the role that belies the fact it was her first major screen credit (she was still in high school during production, which is remarkable when you hear how assured the performance is). Dwayne Johnson voices the shape-shifting demigod Maui, leaning into a broader, more self-mythologising energy that suits the character well. Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, and Jemaine Clement round out the principal cast, with Clement in particular having great fun in a glam-rock-inflected villainous turn. If you want to see how Cravalho carries the character across into a sequel, there is a look at Moana 2 (2024) elsewhere on the site.

My daughter was like 3 when this came out. I can hear it in my sleep. Moana is Disney doing what Disney does best; gorgeous animation, catchy songs, and a strong lead character that kids absolutely adore. The Polynesian setting feels fresh, the visuals are stunning, and honestly this is probably the only Dwayne Johnson performance that doesn't FEEL like The Rock. That alone deserves a round of applause. It’s a great adventure, and my kids love it. They belt out How Far I’ll Go like it’s the national anthem and laugh every time Maui’s tattoos move. Personally, I think the story plays it a bit safe, but the charm and energy carry it through.

I will say, having lived with this film on near-constant rotation for the better part of a decade, my view of it has softened in some ways and sharpened in others. The safe story beats are something you notice more once the novelty of the setting wears off, and there are moments in the second act where you can feel the formula asserting itself a little too tidily. But then the animation does something extraordinary with light on water, or the next song kicks in, and it is genuinely hard to stay cynical. It is the kind of film that earns its place in your household without you quite noticing until it is already there. Sometimes that is enough.

Rating: ★★★½  | Year: 2016  | Watched: 2018-02-01

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Trailer

▶ Watch the official trailer for Moana (2016) on YouTube

Where to watch

Watch in the UK
Stream: Disney Plus
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK · Zavvi

Watch in the US
Stream: Disney Plus
Rent: Amazon Video · Apple TV Store · Google Play Movies · YouTube
Buy: Amazon Video · Apple TV Store · Google Play Movies · YouTube
Physical: Amazon US

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Related on Movies With Macca

More from John Musker: The Little Mermaid (1989) · Hercules (1997)
More with Auliʻi Cravalho: Moana 2 (2024)
More from the 2010s: Wonder (2017) · Beautiful Boy (2018) · The Witch (2015) · What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
More adventure: Alice in Wonderland (1951) · The Eagle (1925) · Louisiana Story (1948) · The General (1926)
More comedy: The Eagle (1925) · The General (1926) · Americana (2023) · The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)