I'm a sucker for a good Disney movie. I loved "The Little Mermaid" growing up and cried at "Frozen" when I was in high school. I loved "Frozen" and "Tangled," and when I heard those creators made another movie, I knew I had to see it. I was expecting another great Disney movie, but I got so much more. I went to the movies, took a seat as one of the oldest in the theater, and watched an amazing movie.
Moana is the daughter of the chief in her village, making her a "princess". She is beautiful and adventurous. She is a Polynesian princess, making her one of the few ethnic princesses Disney has. I have never seen such beautiful animation in a Disney movie before. The ocean was breathtaking and the sunlight seemed so real. The colors Disney used were perfect, and I was at a loss for words at the graphics. However, it was not the beautiful princess or the stunning water that made this movie amazing, but the message that I loved the most.
Moana is the daughter of the chief in her village, making her the heir ruler of her village. Her father always told her she would take over, and not one word was said about her being a female leader. She was the heir and would take over no matter her gender, and nothing was said about her needing to marry either. Long story short, Moana is chosen by the ocean to return Te Fiti, a goddess's, heart. She seeks the help of an egotistical demigod Maui. He pushes her aside and wants to the mission himself. But Moana and the ocean are persistent, so she joins him. She believes she is there to just to help him, but she is the one who does it herself. Moana had a strength in her she didn't know about. She learns on this journey the power of her own strength. She herself is the one in the end that returns the goddess's heart.
I really loved the message Disney portrayed in "Moana." Moana had no love interest at all. Moana was going to take over her village by herself. She saved her island by herself by returning the goddess's heart. She had some trouble, like her father telling her not to go to the ocean and Maui telling her she is a child and cannot do it. But, she realizes her own strength and powers. I loved this because Disney is telling young girls that you may be a girl, but you can do it. You do not need a man to become powerful or to do a big job. You will have those telling you that you cannot do it, but you can. This is a very powerful message that I think every little girl should learn. There are so many princess movies out there portraying a damsel in distress needing rescuing and a man by their side to be in charge. However, Moana is a strong and beautiful girl who finds strength in herself and is successful on her own. Every little girl should go see Moana, and while they may not need to return a stolen goddess's heart, it will teach them they can do amazing things with their own strength.
