Review

“Moana” would have been enormously entertaining regardless of when it came out, but its arrival at this particular moment in history gives it an added sense of significance—as well as inspiration.

The latest musical extravaganza from Walt Disney Animation Studios follows the adventures of a young woman who finds her own voice and forges her own identity. She chooses to be a forward-thinking leader of her people on her own terms, rather than a stereotypical princess in need of rescue, which the film acknowledges in amusingly knowing fashion. She has both the wisdom to respect her people’s traditions and the bravery to blaze her own trail toward the future.

Moana is on the verge of becoming the first female chief in the proud history of her Polynesian tribe, shattering the glass ceiling under spectacular blue skies. Imagine that.

Sure, you could go see “Moana” for its dazzling visuals, catchy tunes, enjoyable performances, clever running gags and overall sense of fun. It’s all there, and—except for a few scary moments—it’ll delight viewers of all ages. But for some of us older folks in the crowd, it’s hard to shake the feeling of wistful possibility in seeing a woman assume the leadership position for which she was destined.

Moana (2016 film)

Moana is a 2016 American 3D computer-animated musical fantasy comedy adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 56th Disney animated feature film. The film was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker,^[7] and co-directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams.^[8] The film features music written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i, and Mark Mancina.^[9]
Featuring the voices of Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger and Alan Tudyk, the film tells the story of Moana, the strong-willed daughter of the chief in a Polynesian tribe, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with a goddess. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of Maui, a legendary demigod, in the hope of saving her people.

Moana was released theatrically in the United States on November 23, 2016 in Disney Digital 3-D, RealD 3D, D-Box, and premium large formats. The film, along with Zootopia, marks the first time since 2002 that Walt Disney Animation Studios has released two feature films in the same year. The film received universal critical acclaim, with particular attention directed to its animation, music, and voice cast. The film has grossed over $338 million worldwide.

A small pounamu stone that is the mystical heart of the goddess Te Fiti is stolen by the demigod Maui, who planned to give it to humanity as a gift. As Maui made his escape, he was attacked by the lava demon Te Kā, causing the heart to become lost in the ocean along with his magical fishhook.

A millennium later, young Moana Waialiki, daughter and heir of a chief on the small Polynesian island of Motunui, is chosen by the ocean to receive the heart. Her father, Chief Tui, gradually instructs her about Motonui's provisions and tradition. Years later, Moana has become a reliable problem-solver within their society, but is informed one day by the villagers that the fish have become scarce, and the island's vegetation begins dying. Moana proposes going beyond the reef to find more fish, but Tui dismisses her request as an excuse to venture the ocean, which is forbidden beyond the reef per island tradition. When her mother explains his frustration as guilt from losing a friend from a seafaring voyage years back, Moana still feels compelled to sail out on a small rafter. However, her first attempt ends disastrously and nearly drowns her.
Moana's grandmother, Gramma Tala, shows Moana a secret cave behind a waterfall, where a fleet of outrigger sailing canoes reveal that the island's ancestors were seafarers. Tala explains that the imbalance brought by Maui's theft of the Heart created a natural imbalance within the oceans, leading Motonui's past leaders to obscure their history and isolate their people. Tala gives Moana the heart of Te Fiti, having kept it safe for her granddaughter ever since she was chosen by the ocean. When Moana attempts to inform Tui, he dismisses the legend again, and first decides to burn the secret boats until he and Moana are informed of Tala's sudden collapse.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moana_(2016_film)