Recently added to Disney’s repertoire of animated films, "Moana" is a shining star packed with action and boasting cutting-edge visual effects. Set in a picturesque Polynesian setting, it tells the story of a young girl’s quest for independence and identity against all odds with a message that hits close to home.
Visuals
"Moana"'s visuals were breathtaking from the very beginning, drawing heavily from the rich artistry of Polynesian cultures and environments. Both land and sea were filled with a striking level of detail, from foliage to hair textures, giving the film a healthy dose of realism without compromising any of the magic of Disney animation.
Other scenes took a more surrealistic flavor, using masterfully-designed paintings, tapestries, and even moving tattoos to drive the action. Such a move had another purpose: that of emphasizing the importance of storytelling through visual aids in the islands’ culture.
My only complaint is the inconsistent designs of the monsters encountered by Moana and her crew. While some were taken straight from Hawaiian mythos, others just looked like stylized sea creatures. I half-expected Flounder of "The Little Mermaid" to make an appearance. This did not detract greatly from the film’s quality, but the inclusion of more folkloric creatures would have added an extra helping of accuracy.
Music
"Moana" leaves little wasted space in terms of its soundtrack. Relying on drum beats and Hawaiian chants, the music immersed me in both the action and the scenery. Each critical scene was accompanied by rousing instrumentals, helping to supplement the emotions expressed on screen.
In the Disney tradition, "Moana" is a musical film, including several ballads. Each served a clear purpose and varied dramatically in tone, ranging from a snappy swing tune to a heartfelt solo. This is a positive step from Disney’s previous film Frozen, which received criticism for the inclusion of seemingly useless, but catchy, songs. There is also another refreshing departure from the typical princess mold: Moana doesn’t sing in the characteristic high soprano style. My alto vocal chords rejoiced.
Did I mention that one song was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda himself?
Character Development
Minor spoilers ahead.
At first, I was afraid that Moana would become yet another Mary Sue who, with an unbelievable amount of courage and a suspicious lack of character flaws, saves the day while suffering as little emotional turmoil as possible. I was pleasantly and thoroughly surprised.
Moana begins as a curious young child in an island paradise with a promising future—as the only daughter of the chief, she is next in line to lead her people. But destiny calls her elsewhere. Against the wishes of her parents, she leaves the safety of her village to set off on an adventure to halt the evil spreading across the ocean.
Along the way, Moana learns valuable lessons about purpose and self-reliance. A fledgling explorer, she develops an arsenal of talents, from sailing to tactful negotiation, which help her complete her mission. Every obstacle she clears gives her a renewed sense of confidence and courage.
But she is also burdened with glorious purpose. Carrying the fate of her village on her shoulders, she is under an enormous amount of pressure for such a young girl. Part of her journey involves her coming to terms with her own limitations and understanding that hers is not one to be traversed alone.
The Message
"Moana" carries an uplifting message for its young viewers: it is okay to admit that you cannot do everything yourself. We often feel the need to hide our weaknesses in the face of life’s challenges, but weakness is not shameful—in fact, it is part of the human experience. It is the lessons you learn from those failures that will help you find your way through even the roughest of seas.
