If you're a 90s baby like me, you grew up watching all of the classic Disney animated movies: "Aladdin", "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast", "Cinderella", "Snow White"... the list goes on and on.
The past few years, Disney has released even more classic movies: "Tangled", "Frozen", "The Princess and the Frog", and most recently, "Moana". All of these movies have been great; I'm no film critic, but Frozen changed my life. So when I saw Moana this past week, my expectations were pretty high.
"Moana" centers around a teenage girl (Moana) who happens to be the daughter of the village chief. The movie is set in the pan-Pacific islands, and Moana and her people live off the land. When her island starts dying, Moana sets off across the ocean to restore life to the islands, and picks up her companion Maui, a demi-god, along the way. This movie is filled with humor, beautiful animation, and a singing crustacean who is definitely nothing like Sebastian.
Guys, "Moana" is one of the best movies I have seen in a really long time. Not even just the best Disney movie I've seen in a while, I'm talking about movies in general. First off, "Moana" is a big step for Disney regarding diversity: she's the first Polynesian character in a Disney movie! I love how Disney is taking a step into the twenty-first century, and celebrating diversity by making the main character someone you don't normally see on the big screen. Second, there is no romantic plot line! Moana doesn't sail across the ocean to rescue a handsome prince, or go searching for her true love; she travels across the ocean to save her people and to discover who she really is. It is honestly so refreshing to see a movie that is centered around a heroine who is searching for a way to help the ones she cares about.
Besides the catchy songs, adorable pig, and having major hair envy over Maui's hair, the main reason I love this movie so much is the message. Moana is on a journey to find out who she really is. Her whole life, her identity has consisted of what other people expected her to be: the daughter of the village chief, a leader for her people, and someone who the people can trust. But it's only when Moana follows her passion and calling that she discovers who her true identity is. Moana realizes that she isn't defined by who's daughter she is, how good of a leader she'll be, or even how well she can sail.
Basically, go see "Moana". You won't regret it. Plus, the songs were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (the genius who wrote Hamilton), so you know they're going to be good.
