Moana (2016) [Blu-ray]
Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical
Moana Waialiki is a sea voyaging enthusiast and the only daughter of a chief in a long line of navigators. When her island's fisherman can't catch any fish and the crops fail, she learns that the demigod Maui caused the blight by stealing the heart
of the goddess Te Fiti. The only way to heal the island is to persuade Maui to return Te Fiti's heart, so Moana sets off on an epic journey across the Pacific. The film is based on stories from Polynesian mythology.
Storyline: Moana Waialiki is a sea voyaging enthusiast and the only daughter of a chief in a long line of navigators. When her island's fishermen can't catch any fish and the crops fail, she learns that the demigod Maui caused
the blight by stealing the heart of the goddess, Te Whiti. The only way to heal the island is to persuade Maui to return Te Whiti's heart, so Moana sets off on an epic journey across the Pacific. The film is based on stories from Polynesian mythology.
Written by Anonumous
Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Martin Liebman, March 2, 2017 Though Disney regularly releases animated films, it's not a factory. It's instead an environment that produces genuine one-of-a-kind movie experiences that may
occasionally share core concepts or themes but almost every one of them feels unique, purposeful in their own ways, memorable beyond their core production concepts and characters. Whether cherished, timeless classics or brand-new masterpieces that have
left an indelible mark on both popular culture and on the heart, the studio always does its due diligence in making movies that are as finely intimate as they are grandly spectacular. Moana is the latest, and it's certainly not an exception.
Beautifully assembled and telling an exciting, large-in-scope story of inward and outward discovery, it champions comfortable but critical themes in a breathtaking world where the most impressive magic comes from within.
A young girl with an adventurous spirit named Moana (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) is chosen to take possession of the ancient stone of Te Fiti, a powerful symbol lost to the sea many years ago. But Moana's father (voiced by Temuera Morrison) deems her too
young to venture beyond the shores. She loses the symbol, it seemingly returning to its watery resting place. As the years pass, Moana matures and still yearns to escape the island's confines. And her father still rejects the notion. But her grandmother
Tala (voiced by Rachel House) encourages her dreams, teaches her of her land's and people's true history, and sets her off on an adventure to return the stone, which she has kept hidden for years, to its rightful owner. Along the way, Moana meets Maui
(voiced by Dwayne Johnson), an ancient demigod warrior, and eventually convinces him to aid her in her journey and the two embark on a dangerous quest that will lead them to the powerful dark monster, Te Ka.
Moana is, in many ways, a typical Disney animated feature. There's plenty of song and dance and music that help propel the narrative forward while lyrically establishing the world and characters and motivations. Several colorful animal sidekicks
are featured. Even many of the core themes aren't a revelation. But it's all done remarkably well, the latter in particular, which is of course the movie's integral element but one that's been finely interwoven through all of the color, the world, the
humor, all the little support bits that harmoniously jive with the animation and music. The movie easily blends its themes with well-realized, excitingly executed, and visually spectacular action. It's often larger-than-life, literally and metaphorically,
and set against a wondrous world of natural beauty that's hard to claim isn't the most visually arresting Disney has ever created, even considering some of the spectacular locations from movies like Beauty and the Beast. The digital animation is
top-notch, managing to blend cutting-edge technology with that classic, timeless Disney look and feel. Characters are complex, their worlds breathtaking, their actions purposeful and exciting. It's a complete package, not a repackage, even as those themes
are more fundamentally purposeful than they are contextually revelatory.
Indeed, the movie's core themes are its driving force, what sets it in motion, what's truly explored, what defines it. There's plenty of adventure on tap, but the story is more about the inward adventure of self-discovery, of confidence, of understanding
one's place in the world as it is battling enemies in new and exciting locations. Metaphors abound throughout the film, about what makes an individual who they are -- something internal or something external? -- and what they're capable of accomplishing
alone and together alike. The story explores the inherent good inside, a concept that becomes abundantly clear as the film moves forward. Its life-lessons on individuality may in some ways remind viewers of what The LEGO Movie has to say on the
subject, but Moana's filmmaking team has made it all feel fresh with new and exciting characters, a remarkable world, a movie that leaves a lasting impression on all fronts and embodies everything that's good about the classic Disney film in a
brand-new, cutting-edge way.
Character voice work is at the top of the industry's game, too, with leads Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, the latter perfectly cast as the mythical, musclebound hero Maui, leading the way. The actors bring a sense of real, organic life to the parts,
moving beyond vocal recreation and offering nuanced reflection along the road to discovery that, in conjunction with the gorgeous visuals, timeless themes, and high-energy story and song and dance, create full-bodied characters who are much more than the
sum of their external pieces and instead fully defined individuals who don't simply learn through the film but integrate what they learn into the adventure and their lives.
Moana is a great film. There's nary a misstep to be found. It covers all the bases: it's colorful and buoyant enough for the kids, meaty enough for the adults, richly animated and realized, strongly voiced, gorgeously presented...it's hard to find
any fault worth noting. Disney's Blu-ray is equally exhilarating, boasting one of the best 1080p transfers on the market, a solid 7.1 lossless soundtrack, and a hearty allotment of extras that offer a good mix of kid fluff and insightful adult-oriented
content. Moana earns my highest recommendation.
[CSW] -3.8- [CSW] -3.8- This reviewer "hit the mark" with a summation that says it all: Moana captures all the best of Disney's classic formula. However, that formula is still a formula, which means it will lose some luster the more it's
implemented. Moana's big, Broadway-esque songs fit the world perfectly, yet pale in comparison to the likes of Frozen or writer Miranda's Hamilton. It's funny, though not their funniest, too often relying on comedy tropes (anachronistic references, silly
side characters). However, it's still worthy of Walt's vault because of its boisterous adventure, engaging characters, & unique themes. Moana is the heir-apparent-chief of her Polynesian tribe when the ocean chooses her to find a legendary demi-god,
restore balance to the world and save her island. Through many plot contrivances and conveniences (hey, what do you expect? It's a Disney fantasy), Moana and her crew learn that there is more to this fable than they expected. While that story is
formulaic, the characters are a blast. Johnson is perfect as Maui, and the chemistry between he and Moana is wonderful; like lovingly bickering siblings. Even the ubiquitous, dim-witted animal sidekick (chicken Heihei) was funny enough to tamper my
cynicism…or maybe my 3-year-old's endless laughter softened me. The real standout here is the animation. Spectacularly beautiful, the attention to little details like the movement of sand and water make the cool character designs and action sequences that
much more involving. That aesthetic charm, mixed with tons of fun and a message that believing in others is just as vital as belief in ourselves, pushes this family-fantasy beyond its admitted clichés. Fans of Mickey's movies, specifically the ones of
late, will find plenty to enjoy here.
[V5.0-A4.5] MPEG-4 AVC - D-Box
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