The Review about Moana

 Every time I watch this movie I cry so many tears, it’s that good.

On the island of Motunui, the inhabitants worship the goddess of nature Te Fiti, who brought life to the ocean long ago. Maui, the shape-shifting demigod steals the heart of Te Fiti to give humanity the power of creation. However, Te Fiti disintegrates, and Maui is attacked offshore by Te Kā, a volcanic demon. He loses both his magical giant fishhook and the heart. A thousand years later, the ocean chooses Moana to return the heart to Te Fiti. Sixteen years later, a blight strikes the island, killing vegetation and shrinking the fish catch. Moana's grandmother, Tala, shows her a secret cave of ships, revealing that their people were voyagers. Tala explains that Te Kā's darkness is poisoning the island, but can be cured if Moana finds Maui and has him restore the heart of Te Fiti. Having been given the heart of Te Fiti by the ocean, Tala gives it to Moana. Tala later falls ill and, on her deathbed, tells Moana that she must depart to find Maui. Setting sail, Moana is caught in a typhoon and shipwrecked on an island where she finds Maui. He reluctantly agrees to help her. 

After regaining his fishhook, they arrive at Te Fiti's island, only to be attacked by Te Kā. Moana refuses to turn back, resulting in Maui's hook being badly damaged. Unwilling to lose his hook in another confrontation with Te Kā, Maui abandons Moana but eventually returns to help her. Moana realizes Te Kā is Te Fiti. Moana returns the heart to Te Fiti, who heals the ocean and islands of the blight. Moana bids farewell to Maui and Te Fiti, returning home where she reunites with her parents. She takes up her role as chief and wayfinder, leading her people as they resume voyaging.

Probably and most definitely one of the greatest films ever made. Certainly one of Disney’s masterpieces. Look…Zootopia is good but not as good as this film. We’ll forever live in a world where Zootopia won Best Animated Feature over Moana. Absolutely insane (and I’m not dissing Zootopia, that’s a really good movie just not on par with this one) But enough about other movies, let’s focus on this one. First things first I love the worldbuilding of this film. We open with Tala recounting all the important plot points of the world that are needed to build this story. From the life goddess Te Fiti and the demigod Maui we have a gripping narration that is immediately juxtaposed by the village crazy lady telling the story to kids. What follows is one of the best ‘growing up by a song sequences’ in probably any kid’s movie as Moana becomes a teenager. For such a short time with the character of Tala, her death really hits you in the gut and this is when the adventure aspect of this movie gets going. That’s not to say the parts before Moana leaves are boring, it’s all perfectly paced so the story is set up just right. 

After Moana teams up with Maui there’s this middle second act that is largely made up of side quests, but all of them build out the characters and world such as the Kakamora and Lalotai the Realm of Monsters, and Tamatoa. Then there’s that glorious third act that pays off all the character arcs so brilliantly while staying fresh in both pacing and action. That plot twist of Te Kā being Te Fiti absolutely dropped my jaw the first time watching and even on my probably millionth rewatch it still is super riveting. The ending is so beautiful as Moana’s tribe regains their seafaring ways with Moana at the helm. A beautiful, beautiful, beautiful story that is so well written and emotional.

Story: 10/10

Then there’s Moana one of the greatest fictional characters of all time. Her arc is so personal to me and so wonderfully written. It’s surprisingly basic too, but it’s the human emotion behind it that makes it and many other basic character arcs so beautiful. Moana had always wanted to go to the ocean, beyond the reef, and to see the world, and no matter how hard she tries she’s always had that calling. 

As she goes and out meets Maui, they strike up such a remarkable bond that is so wholesome as Maul teaches her about sailing and the wide world while Moana inspires him to overcome his hatred for humans and his selfishness. The literal best scene probably ever is right after the first attack on Te Kā and Maui leaves with his broken hook and Moana throws the heart into the ocean. At this moment she’s completely alone and questioning everything and that’s when the spirit of her grandmother visits her. What follows is one of the most beautiful songs probably ever written, “I am Moana”

“The people you love will change you, the things you have learned will guide you, and nothing on Earth can silence, the quiet voice still inside you…”

“I am everything I've learned and more, still, it calls me, and the call isn't out there at all, it's inside me, it's like the tide, always falling and rising”

The way I sob like a small child during this song. Moana is one of the most beautiful three-dimensional characters ever, who has gone through so much pain, struggle, and loss but still gets back up again. Such a beautiful, beautiful character. Maui is a perfect supporting character as he overcomes his selfishness to only serve himself and instead comes to save the day with Moana. His backstory is super tragic and I really love his ending. Honestly…there aren’t a lot of other characters. Te Fiti is more of a plot device. I love Tala and Moana’s parents in their small screentime. Tamatoa is absolutely hilarious and I love the animal sidekicks of Heihei and Pua. Just an utterly fantastic cast.

Characters: 10/10

And then we have an abnormally stacked voice talent with Auliʻi Cravalho playing her first actual role as Moana and she kills it. She’s such a star and I hope she goes on to voice many more great roles. Dwayne Johnson is not a great actor but his vocal performance here is outstanding and might be his funniest and most interesting performance yet. Temuera Morrison is awesome as always and Christopher Jackson's singing is perfect too. Lin-Manuel Miranda has a miniature role but it’s great to hear his talent as well.

Moana 2 Moana Cosplay Costume