Moana

"Okay, first, I am not a princess.  I'm the daughter of the chief."

"Same difference."

"No."

"If you wear a dress, and have an animal sidekick, you're a princess."

Many years ago, the heart of goddess Te Fiti was stolen by demigod Maui (Johnson).  As he escapes, he is attacked by lava demon Te Ka, which causes him to lose the heart and his magical fishhook. Decades later, this story is told to the children of the island of Motunui by Tala (House).  Her stories scare all of the children, but her granddaughter Moana (Cravalho).  Moana is fascinated by the ocean and dreams of life off the island.  Her father, Chief Tui (Morrison), enforces the main island rule: do not go beyond the reef.

Years later, Moana has accepted her role as the future chief of the island.  She still longs to go out on the water and gets the chance when the fish when the fish and plants that they depend on start dying. She is chosen by the ocean to find Maui and return the heart to Te Fiti.

Accompanied by dense rooster, Heihei (Tudyk), she takes a boat and lets the ocean guide her to Maui.  Maui is not interested in helping, he just wants to get his hook and get back to his life.  Can they find Maui's hook and save Moana's people?


This is the 56th animated feature film made by Disney.  And the second Disney animated film released in 2016 (after Zootopia).  It is a computer-animated musical... similar to a Disney Princess film.

Directors Ron Clements and John Musker have been working with Disney since 1986.  This is their seventh time directing a Disney animated film, following The Great Mouse Detective in 1986, The Little Mermaid in 1989, Aladdin in 1992, Hercules in 1997, Treasure Planet in 2002, and The Princess and the Frog in 2009.  In 2011 they were drawn to Polynesian mythology and started writing an original story, based on the legends of demigod Maui.  They consulted with experts from the South Pacific to keep the film accurate.  The main cast is comprised of Polynesian actors.

This is the film debut of Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced Moana.  She has a beautiful singing voice and keeps Moana tough and independent.  Dwayne Johnson is perfectly cast as Maui, and is clearly enjoying the part.  Temuera Morrison and Nicole Scherzinger voice Moana's parents, with Christopher Jackson providing Chief Tui's singing voice.

All of the songs were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa'i.  They used background vocals from Foa'i's group Te Vaka and a choir from Fiji.  The songs fit the movie and are fun.  The most infectious song is Maui's "You're Welcome."  Johnson is not a trained singer, like his co-stars, but he gives his all and it is a catchy (and contagious) song.  The song "How Far I'll Go" was nominated for an Oscar.

The film was nominated for 2 Academy Awards: Best Animated Film (it lost to Zootopia) and Best Original Song.

It is a fun and moving film... Moana is a strong lead and everything is gorgeous.

Moana (2016) 107 minutes
Director: Ron Clements & John Musker
Starring: Auli'i Cravalho as Moana
Dwayne Johnson as Maui
Rachel House as Tala
Temuera Morrison as Tui
Christopher Jackson as Tui (Singing voice)
Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa
Nicole Scherzinger as Sina
Alan Tudyk as Heihei