Currently showing at the Lyric Theater, Moana is the Disney tale of a Polynesian chieftain's daughter, drawn to the sea despite her father’s wishes. Ultimately, she strikes out on her own in search of her life’s purpose. Danger ensues, along with several surprisingly good musical numbers.
With a simple plot steeped in Polynesian mythology and combined with engaging dialogue, artistry and music, Moana delivers all the enjoyment expected from a children's animated film.
Moana (voiced by newcomer Auli’i Cravalho) doesn’t ever fully lose faith in herself, despite facing intense criticism and suffering significant setbacks. Moana's believe in herself, and her dreams, is unrelenting.
This confidence sets her apart from other Disney heroines and makes her a fantatstic role model for children who want to stay true to themselves but it doesn't say much for basic obedience. The movie really points out to parents the difference between what they want for their children and what it takes to achieve it.
Cravalho’s performance was spectacular, especially for a teenager without industry experience. She sounds every bit a professional.
The portrayal of Māui (voiced by Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson) was also surprisingly good. Johnson does an excellent job of capturing the demigod’s playful persona and his singing isn't too shabby either.
While rich in Polynesian cultural references, Moana doesn’t alienate audiences from outside the culture. The island lifestyle is essential to the story, and the visuals - rich ocean blues, vibrant reds and greens - are a welcome relief from the dreary wintry landscape of a typical Iowa winter.
Similar to Zootopia and Big Hero 6, Moana might not enjoy the lasting popularity of other Disney films, but it is a pleasure to watch and worth a trip to the theater with the family.