As of late, Disney’s main animation studio has alternated between more unconventional stories (Wreck-It Ralph, Zootopia, Big Hero Six) and princess themed stories that call back to Walt’s golden era of the studio. Moana, a magical epic journey that draws influence from Polynesian culture, is their first of this kind since Frozen became a pop culture phenomenon, and much like that film it has its own twists on the formula. Like the 2013 hit, there are some slight moments of self-commentary and wry humor, its sensibility is very much current. However, one thing I also enjoyed about Frozen was how despite those few subversive ribs, at the end of the day it was still a proudly traditional Disney film. And Moana has a similar earnestness and sincerity about its themes.
One of the most notable aspects is how its title heroine does not have a love interest they pine for, simply a sense of duty to the tribe she was raised to lead. What Moana (Auli’I Cravalho) does have in common with many cartoon princess is a desire to journey beyond her island home, which was created by the goddess Te Fiti. Her frustration is expressed in one of many musical numbers, also emphasizing the objections of her chieftain father (Temuera Morrison). This honestly reminded me of the dynamic between The Little Mermaid’s Ariel and the stubborn but still caring King Triton.
There’s a good reason for his fear- a strange mystical force that’s cursed their harvest and is draining life from the islands, thanks to the demigod Maui’s theft of a pounamu stone. After her grandmother (Rachel House, who has some really funny delivery) reveals a previously unknown legend to Moana, she sets sail (along with her dimwitted rooster sidekick) to find Maui and save her people.
However, wrangling the help of the tattooed shapeshifting warrior proves to be harder than our plucky lead realizes. If you grew up a pro wrestling fan, you’re probably already aware of Dwayne Johnson’s astonishing levels of charisma. Fortunately, as Maui the former People’s Champ gets to show off some surprising range in his performance, along with his trademark charm.
At first the fallen demigod isn’t willing to brave the fierce oceans to help the island princess, but the two eventually form a strong relationship. A hulking mass whose body art comes to life in elaborate illustrations (with one tiny Maui caricature acting as his personal Jiminy Cricket), he’s an entertaining combination of the Genie’s barrel chested gregariousness and Gaston’s massive ego, expressed quite well in his number You’re Welcome”.
It’s one of a number of hummable songs on the soundtrack from Opetaia Foa’I and Hamilton’s Lin Manuel-Miranda, along with Moana’s stirring “How Far I’ll Go”. Cravalho’s performance of it is particularly moving, and alongside Johnson she’s able to bring both poignancy and self-deprecating humor to her character. Both Moana and Maui are allowed moments to look heroic and also have slip-ups, and neither of them feel like a burden or too idealized. Rather, they’re allowed to grow and develop alongside each other.
They’ll have no choice but to work stronger together if they want to get past their adversaries, some of which are visually stunning and only add to what’s already a vividly colorful and well-designed film. A couple of my favorites were a band of small pirate creatures who use coconuts as armor, and the massive crab Tamatoa. He’s a flamboyant ham voiced by Jermaine Clement who sings a catchy glam rock themed villain song as Moana and Maui try to steal back the latter’s magical fish hook from him. That’s not to say the film isn’t impressive throughout though, it certainly is! The opening where a young Moana interacts with the ocean for the first time I predict will definitely be memorable.
Disney’s films have had a profound impact on not just pop culture, but in the instance of its Princess line also the childhoods of many people. Luckily, Moana is as good a role model as a kid and their parents could hope for- courageous, kind, flawed and vulnerable, with a lovable right-hand man to boot. Her debut film is a deceptively basic quest story, but there’s a lot in terms of the emotion, humor and moments packed into it. Easily recommended- it continues the high-quality streak for what’s certainly been one of the Mouse House’s strongest years in a while.