Paralleling her physical voyage across uncharted waters and the real world obstacles she must overcome, Moana is faced with an internal journey where she questions not only her heritage, but also her sense of self. Like any good Disney movie worth its salt, Moana tethers its lighthearted comedy and rousing action to a central, uplifting theme. To save her people, Moana sets sail to find Maui and force him to return the heart of Te Fiti back to its rightful place. The ensuing darkness that sweeps across the waters threatens the well-being of the many islanders who call the Pacific Ocean home. In the opening scenes, the legends of Oceania are unraveled for viewers via a mesmerizing sequence of animated paper cuts that tell the tale of how shape-shifting demi-god Maui (Dwayne Johnson) once stole the heart of Te Fiti, the mother island. Moana follows its titular 16 year-old character Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) as she struggles to come to terms with her ever-present yearning for the open waters, and her responsibility as the next chieftain to stay behind with her people. With Moana, they have done an astounding job of subverting these criticisms while still maintaining the fun spark that makes Disney movies so universally beloved. However, Disney has sustained quite a bit of flak over the years for propagating racist, sexist, or generally non-inclusive undertones in some of their older films. Start with a strong, young female protagonist (usually a princess), and a trusty animal sidekick, sprinkle in a generous dose of family-friendly humor, throw in an internal conflict that is cleverly mirrored in an external struggle, add a deliciously theatrical villain, round it out with a collection of toe-tapping songs, and garnish with a few sprigs of magic and messages of self-empowerment. The recipe for a hit Disney animated film is no trade secret. Starring Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk Moana follows its titular character on both a literal and figurative journey of self-discovery.Ĭourtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios

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