On a recent date night with my husband, we went and saw the new Disney movie "Moana". I was incredibly excited to see this movie for several reasons. I haven't felt so much happiness at seeing a movie in a long time - I truly felt like a kid again. If you haven't seen it yet, regardless of age, you need to make it your next must see movie, and I'll tell you why. (Some people may consider some of the following information as spoilers - if you do not want to know anything about the movie before hand, please wait to read this article until you have seen it!)
1. Lin-Manuel Miranda's Music
As most of us know, Lin-Manuel Miranda is the genius behind such works as "Hamilton" and "In the Heights." The work he poured into "Moana" is just as miraculous. The songs are catchy, relatable, and the CD has truthfully been in my car playing for the last several weeks. If you haven't listened to any of the music yet, I'd highly recommend it. It's well worth the money!
2. The Importance of Tradition
In the movie, the traditions of Moana's people change. She grows up knowing that the sea is forbidden - no one is allowed to go beyond the reef. Eventually, she learns that her people are actually descended from voyagers of the sea. Her people used to go from island to island, searching for new places to surface. Another important tradition for Moana's people is the idea of storytelling. We see, even from the beginning, that the grandmother tells all teh children the origins of their people. Storytelling is important in order to pass down vital information from one generation to the next. Without this knowledge, Moana would not feel the need to voyage on the sea and save her people. Moana has felt a call to go for an adventure on the sea since childhood - which leads me to the last main point:
3. Following Your Dreams
Moana knows that she can find happiness at home. But she also knows that she has a calling to save her people and voyage the sea. By the end of the film, Moana has realized that the sea is not what calls her - it is a calling that is alive in her heart. No matter where Moana is, she can both find happiness and live out her calling.
As an adult, struggling to know if what I'm currently doing is what I really want, this movie spoke volumes to me. It's vital that I find happiness in tradition and in following my dreams. My calling is alive in my heart - I carry my loved ones with me - and eventually, I will learn how to find happiness whereever I am. Kudos, Disney. You still know how to tug at my heart strings and teach me lessons.
