The new Disney film, Moana crashed into theaters on November 30th on the same waves that flooded everyone’s emotions and tear ducts when it arrived during everyone’s Thanksgiving break. The film’s witty self-awareness of princess clichés and its ability to avoid them entirely brought a fresh outlook to the “run of the mill Disney princess” part of the franchise. The unique character designs that break away from Disney’s “same face syndrome” accompanied with the complex message left many stunned in the best way as they left the theaters.
As most movies reveal a character’s motivations as the screen time drags on, the movie takes the viewer on a chronological story through Moana and how she feels a different part of her life calling to her, despite the established familiar and cultural traditions of her island. The viewer grows up with Moana with every heartwarming song and reprise that works its way into the beautiful soundtrack. As Moana chases her dreams the reprises introduce new lyrics, which directly represent her growth as a person and in her morals. Every song has a meaning and the movie did not include any filler songs, which has been common lately in the overall soundtracks of Disney animated films.
As Moana begins to face tribulations that deter her almost to giving up, the movie’s lessons begin to show themselves. During Moana’s song “How Far I’ll Go”, she mentions how the sea calls to her and that she’ll eventually know what the voice inside of her is telling her to do. Instead of waiting around to find out, during one of her musical outbursts, she decides to venture off on her own. Moana was off into the sea to follow the path she had carved for herself rather than following her island’s traditions.
Enter Maui, the saving grace of the second half of the film that had the movie picking up its pace. Dwayne Johnson plays Maui, the “shape shifter, demi-god of the wind and sea, hero of men and women and all”. The burly, tattooed demi-god serves as a character foil to Moana, which has her questioning her motives for the second time on her journey. By looking inwards and remembering who she is and where she is from gives her new-found inspiration to finish her journey, with or without Maui’s help. It is the call inside of her that gives her strength, strength that she does not need by relying on anyone, even Maui. It resonates a message, out of the many involved in the story’s complex plot, that anyone can do what they set out to do if they believe in themselves.
The action sequences kept the audience involved with gorgeous animation to boot. Moana was an overall astounding animated film that brought a fresh wave of diversity, encouraging morals, and heart-warming soundtracks to theaters this year.
9/10
Hannah Makholm/Head of Graphics
