Moana (Live Action)

Currently only in theaters

Runtime: 1 Hour 56 Minutes

Rated PG

Nearly a decade after Moana became an instant Disney classic, the beloved adventure returns in live-action. Disney brings the story of the spirited wayfinder to a new generation while reimagining many of its iconic moments with real actors and stunning visual effects. Returning to the role of Maui is Dwayne Johnson, reprising the larger-than-life demigod he originally voiced in the animated film.

Themes:‍ ‍

‍ Hawaii, demigods, wayfinding, family, doing the right thing, tradition, happiness, our inner voice, doing what is right despite rules or tradition, longing for more or different, sailing, the ocean, fear, curses, learning, teamwork, growing, belief in oneself, admiring fault, and “you’re welcome”

Language:‍ ‍

Closet thing to a curse word is the expression, “son of a beach” is said.

Stuff to be aware of:‍ ‍(Some of this could be considered spoiler territory)

‍ ‍Alcohol/Drugs - None

‍ ‍Gross -

• Characters say things like, “fish pee in you all day” and “blow dart to my butt cheek.”

• Like in the original animated version, Maui pees in water that Moana has her hand in.

‍ ‍Religion - There is a story told about Te Fiti and how she created the islands and this is key to the overall story.

• Reincarnation plays a role in the story with Moana’s grandmother becoming a spirit mantaray.

‍ ‍Scary - The things from the original movie that would have been considered scary are now a bit more intense due to looking more realistic.

• The giant crab, Tamatoa, is more realistic, but still has a humorous look.

• There are a few monsters seen at the very beginning of the movie. Giant eels and a giant crab claw are among some of the monsters.

• There are no monsters in the realm of monsters, other than some dog-sized shrimp-looking crustaceous and Tomatoa.

• Te Kā for the most part looks the same as the animated versions. Maybe her lava skin looks a bit more realistic?

‍ ‍Sexual - Maui never wears a shirt; he is chiseled.

‍ ‍Violence/Gore - Expect similar content from the animated version, but this time, more realistic.

‍ ‍Other - None

Overall:‍ ‍

Seeing It With Your Family

The live-action Moana stays remarkably faithful to the original animated film. While a few lines of dialogue have been updated and a handful of scenes have been expanded or altered, everything remains true to the spirit and story of the original. Aside from the more realistic CGI, which makes certain moments feel more intense, there is nothing here that parents should find concerning that wasn't already present in the animated version.

The creation story in the movie is somewhat based on Pacific island folklore. Motunui and the creator goddess, Te Fiti, were created by Disney.

What I Thought

If you were hoping for a faithful adaptation of the original, unlike Alice in Wonderland, Mulan, and Snow White, you can rest easy. Disney's writers and directors stay firmly on the path laid out by the animated Moana. There are a few scenes that play out a little differently and some new dialogue sprinkled throughout, but for the most part, this is the same beloved story brought to life with live actors and lots CGI.

As of writing this review, my favorite Disney live-action remake is still Cinderella. It faithfully preserves the heart of the original while expanding the story in meaningful ways and offering fresh perspectives on familiar characters. I could say something similar about The Little Mermaid, but what held it back for me was how photorealistic many of the sea creatures and underwater environments looked. While visually impressive, they lost some of the charm, whimsy, and expressive fun that made the animated film so memorable.

Moana avoids that pitfall by embracing a more stylized, animated feel during several of its musical numbers. "You're Welcome" is an absolute highlight, capturing the energy and personality of the original while still feeling at home in a live-action film. It's exactly the approach I wish Disney had taken with songs like "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," "Be Our Guest," and "Under the Sea." Rather than grounding everything in realism, Moana isn't afraid to lean into the impossible, and both "You're Welcome" and "Shiny" are far more entertaining because of it.

I would have enjoyed seeing the filmmakers put a slightly more unique spin on the story, but this is still a strong adaptation. The music, in particular, does an excellent job of preserving the warmth, humor, and sense of adventure that made the original so beloved. I would have also liked to see a bit more water. It seems everything in the movie was made in front of a green screen. Don’t get me wrong, the visuals are impressive, but there is something that hits different about actually seeing a boat on the water.

Newcomer Catherine Laga'aia also shines as Moana. She captures the determination, heart, and optimism that made the animated character so memorable while bringing enough of her own personality to the role that it never feels like an imitation. Her performance strikes a wonderful balance between honoring the original and making the character her own.

If Moana is one of your favorites, you will feel right at home with this one.