Disney's breezy animated musical set in Polynesia featuring the voice talents of Dwayne Johnson and Auli'i Cravalho
Disney's breezy animated musical Moana takes inspiration from Polynesian myth for its tale of a feisty young heroine (voiced by Hawaiian teenager Auli'i Cravalho) who sets off on an ocean-going quest to save her dying island. To do so, she must cajole shape-shifting demigod Maui (a perfectly cast Dwayne Johnson) into helping her return a precious stone to the heart of island goddess Te Fiti. Maui stubbornly refuses to help, but Moana has the spirit of the ocean on her side...
A successor to Frozen, Disney's latest princess-y adventure is another lively tale of girl power against the odds, but really picks up when Johnson's rascally demigod comes on board. His body covered with tattoos advertising his past exploits, he is boastful and selfish, but his amiably boisterous swagger makes him likeable all the same. The movie's songs - written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and Samoan singer-songwriter Opetaia Foa'i - are catchy, singalong tunes that you’ll be humming long after the movie is over.
The film's animation is splendid (the water looks amazing), its humour infectious, and the refreshingly unusual South Sea island setting makes up for the movie's more conventional traits.
