Moana (2016)

Animation | Comedy | Adventure

The story of an ancient Polynesian tale, a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain’s daughter’s island, she answers the Ocean’s call to seek out the Demigod to set things right.

MG – “This review is long overdue! I watched this when it came out, but I’ve been slack, so here it is!

Moana: Great story, visually stunning, cool characters and catchy tunes. Disney Pixar have delivered another well rounded and entertaining animated feature. It’s funny and feel good, with catchy songs to carry you along the ride for this traditional Polynesian legend. 

The characters are engaging and vocally entertaining, which is so incredibly important being an animated film. Through the vocals is where the expression of character comes to life. Young Moana is played by the gorgeous and talented Auli’i Cravalho who has a fantastic set of singing pipes on her. And cheeky co-lead character Maui is played by Dwayne Johnson who can really hold a tune, and both fit these roles so well. You’ll immediately notice the popular animated vocal talents of Jemaine Clement as the big lobster-ish character Tamatoa. Jermaine as an artist is great. But here in Moana, I really found he didn’t fit this character. The song didn’t suit and the character Tamatoa didn’t really suit. Something different here would have got the full 10 out of 10. But that’s where the half mark got deducted. 

Visually this film is amazing. The water of the ocean is crystal blue and just beautiful. And my jaw dropped when Moana bursts up from the sand, after being washed onto the beach, with all these sand granules in her hair. This is 3D detail insanity! It’s brilliant!

A beautiful, enlightening, feel good adventure that’s nice and different to the norm.”

MG 9.5/10