REVIEW: Moana

Courtesy of Disney

Because Disney has been making family entertainment for almost a century, time hasn’t been kind to much of the studio’s early output. Much like today, filmmakers were generally tasked with being as creative as possible while still adhering to current social norms. As those views shifted over the years, older films viewed several decades later often end up promoting embarrassingly outdated ideas about women’s roles in society (practically every princess movie) or – in the case of Dumbo (with a blackbird named Jim Crow) and Peter Pan (which features the song “What Made the Red Man Red?”) – exploit racism for humor.

Fortunately, instead of hiding from its past (well, other than keeping Song of the South locked in a vault for all eternity), Disney has recently sought to make up for prior mistakes by crafting much more diverse and inclusive narratives. That kind of storytelling often feels obligatory or pandering, but most of the studio’s contemporary films incorporate other cultures and modern gender roles organically.

Movies like The Princess and the Frog, Frozen (which contains a gold mine of subtext), Big Hero 6 and even Zootopia (with its surprisingly frank depiction of racism and sexism) have plots that rise far above the “princess finds her true love” or “conform so you can be accepted” clichés that Disney used to be known for. The studio’s evolution continues with Moana, a fable that makes up for a slight story with remarkably gorgeous animation and incredible songs.

For centuries, ancient Polynesians explored the Pacific Ocean and established societies on the various islands they found. But that changes after demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) steals a valuable gem that serves as the heart of the goddess Te Fiti (basically Mother Nature). The result is total devastation, which slowly spreads all over the globe.

A thousand years later, the blight reaches the island home of young Moana (Auli’i Cravalho), an adventurous teenager who uneasily observes crops dying and fishermen returning from the sea with empty nets. After the villagers try every solution they can think of, with no success, Moana decides – against the wishes of her anxious but well-meaning father (Temuera Morrison) – to embark on a dangerous voyage across the sea to find the missing Maui.

Once she locates the stubborn, egotistical demigod, with some help from an emptyheaded chicken and the ocean herself, Moana must convince him to help her return the heart of Te Fiti in an effort to heal their land. As she gets to know him better, she realizes it won’t be an easy task.
In its most basic form, Moana is a hero’s journey story that you’ve seen in a million other movies. However, screenwriter Jared Bush (working from a story by co-directors Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall and Chris Williams, along with Pamela Ribon, Aaron Kandell and Jordan Kandell) subverts the most overdone elements in delightful ways.

Most importantly (much like Pixar’s criminally underrated Brave), there’s no love interest for Moana. It’s not that kind of movie and she’s not that kind of character. The fate of her island is at stake, so she’s not going to waste time pining over some boy. She’s also presented as headstrong and confident, traits that the other characters don’t view as negative. Granted, Moana’s father isn’t happy that she wants to venture off the island, but that’s not because he wants her to act more “ladylike.” It’s because he fears for her safety, a perfectly normal reaction for a father to have.

Newcomer Cravalho is fantastic as the title character; her voice perfectly captures Moana’s emotions and ambition. Plus, she’s a terrific singer – that hasn’t always been the case with voice actors in Disney films. There are plenty of examples (Aladdin, Jasmine, Simba, Pocahontas, Mulan, etc.) of someone else stepping in for characters when it’s time to sing. Cravalho’s rendition of “How Far I’ll Go” – the movie’s big “I Want” song – might not gain the legendary status of “Let It Go,” but it’s just as powerful.

Also a surprisingly great vocalist? Johnson, who sings and raps delightfully on the humorous “You’re Welcome,” in addition to making Maui a worthy addition to the pantheon of iconic Disney characters. The guy is already handsome and a good actor. I’m starting to get a little ticked off that he’s talented at other stuff too. It just doesn’t seem fair.

Those two songs, along with several others, help Moana reach the exhilarating emotional heights we have come to expect from the best Disney films. Credit for that goes to Lin-Manuel Miranda, the literal genius who made Broadway history with his masterpiece Hamilton (if you haven’t listened to the cast recording yet, do so immediately – it’ll change your life) and applies that same talent for inducing tears and goosebumps here. He, along with collaborators Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina, have created one of the year’s must-buy soundtracks.

Moana hit theaters over a week ago and has already racked up more than $100 million worldwide, so it’s already making a huge impact on pop culture. But those who haven’t seen it yet should make plans to do so. The film deserves to be seen on the big screen, even if you don’t have kids. It’s that good.

(Note for parents with small children: this one gets a little intense, particularly several scenes featuring a genuinely frightening lava monster.)

Moana is rated PG for peril, some scary images and brief thematic elements.

Grade: B+