Moana (2026)
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
I don't get all the grumbling about Disney's new live-action take on MOANA. It's stunning to look at, happy, hilarious and heartfelt. What more can you want in family entertainment?
I think a lot of people just like to complain. Our preview night crowd absolutely loved every minute of the film, led by Dwayne Johnson at his absolute best and incredible newcomer Catheine Laga-Aia. She's a gifted performer with a superb voice and screen presence, well directed by the sure hand of "Hamilton" director Thomas Kail in his film directorial debut.
We all know the story of young Moana, the daughter of Chief Tui (John Tui) who longs to search beyond the reef for the world beyond.
Her grandmother Tala (the scene stealing Rena Owen) recognizes Moana's destiny and provides a sure hand to her future.
When their Island is threatened, Moana must sail across the ocean to fund demi-god Maui, played to perfection, just as in the animated original, by Johnson. Freed up by the live action format, Johnson is having a great time and its impossible not to have one with him, unless you're allergic to happiness, like the numerous online trolls.
The songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Polynesian musician and singer Opetaia Foaʻi, and composer Mark Mancina are all here, beautifully sung by the new cast and orchestrated on a grand scale for the new versions.
Some of the scenes, especially the opening with Moana's entire island population and the seabound action sequence with the invading Kakamora are jaw dropping in their scale and staging.
This is a massive production in all the right ways.
As in the original, the film also has great villains and Jemaine Clement is back as the rogue thief Tamatoa, the shiny crab with riches piled up in his lair. Clement defines hilarious voicework.
Laga-Aia is brilliant casting as our title hero. She's perfect in the role and conjures up plenty of suspense and emotion, even if you've seen the original many times. She reportedly beat out 32,000 other applicants for the role. The reason why is right there on screen throughout.
The quickest of the Disney live-action adaption remakes, released just a bit under ten years after the original animated version, the film seems to be meeting a lot of resistance from critics. I've only seen the original once nearly a decade ago, so maybe I'm less wedded to the animated version, but I can't imagine not being thrilled by the finest moments here.
The live action creation of the sailing Wayfinders, the ocean voyages and the battle against lava spewing Te Ka are all visually spectacular. We saw it in IMAX and the film looks amazing. The finale with Te Fiti, the Mother Island is a jaw dropper. Superb visual effects from start to finish.
Do you remember back in 1989 when James Cameron first made water appear to make shapes and interact with people? WOW, how far we've come with CGI and digital effects.
Moana's pet chicken HeiHei is hilarious and got belly laughs from all the kids in the seats too many times to count.
Miranda has written a new song for the film, "Along the Way" that plays over the end credits. It's classic Lin-Manuel, storytelling, rap and a hook you wont forget.
MOANA is one of the best Disney live-action remakes, bringing new life and big heart to an animated classic. Ignore the whiny critics and see this one on the biggest screen you can find this weekend. You'll thank me.
You're welcome!
MOANA gets an A.
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