Moana (2016)

John Musker and Ron Clements are something of a Disney institution, the directing duo responsible for The Little Mermaid (1989) and Aladdin (1992), and Moana marked their return to the studio after the modest Treasure Planet (2002) and The Princess and the Frog (2009). Released in late 2016, the film drew on Polynesian mythology and was developed in close consultation with a cultural advisory group (the "Oceanic Story Trust") to avoid the kind of representational missteps that had dogged Disney productions in earlier decades. The studio committed a reported $150 million to the production, with Lin-Manuel Miranda (fresh off the Broadway phenomenon that was Hamilton) co-writing the songs alongside Opetaia Foa'i and Mark Mancina. It was the feature debut of Auliʻi Cravalho, a Hawaiian teenager discovered through an open casting call.

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.

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

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Where to watch (UK)

Stream: Disney Plus
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
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Physical: Amazon UK

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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)