Perhaps one of my greatest regrets in life will be watching Moana in my own home for the first time and not the theater. Pathetic for a regret? Maybe, but once you go full on Moana manic, you can’t go back. It’s little wonder that Disney studios desired to make this film in the early 2000’s, but they knew it needed to wait until the technology could be harnessed for all the water animation. Naturally, water is the most difficult element to animate!
Here are my top reasons to watch Moana.
- The Culture. John Lasseter, animator, filmmaker and former chief creative officer of Walt Disney Studios, had two words for the creators of Moana, Ron Clements and John Nusker: Go research.” In this shining technological age where the world has become more connected and diversified, Disney is doing it right with its recent cultural sensitivity. In 2011, Musker and Clements journeyed to Polynesia where some islands are still living just as they do in Moana. From historians to linguists to anthropologists, the Disney team crossed their t-s and dotted their i-s. From islander living to the art of wayfinding, Polynesian culture is reflected in Moana. Perhaps not perfectly, but that’s the beauty of artistic license. Selecting Auli’i Cravalho, a native born Hawaiian, as the main actress was a significant touch. Mahalo, Disney.
- The Storytelling. True to form, Disney is renowned for their attention to detail. I love how Moana opens with fine tapestry craftwork and its ode to 2D artistic animation before leading to its vivid and impressive CGI 3D. It’s also a less cliche to have the grandmother telling the story to a group of children. It’s a classic touch but a eccentric grandmother brings a sweet spin that hooks one from the beginning. Embedding cultural mythology into world-building elements are pretty much perfection and I can watch this film every time and learn something new. The story has all the Disney elements: Female lead, sidekick, big strong man, and older role model. But let’s try an upgrade: strong female lead of Moana, silly sidekick and big strong man the lead must rescue again and again. A bonus: the older role model of a grandmother has more purpose than just propping the female lead up and telling her to follow her heart. Gramma Tala encourages and gives Moana direction without telling her what to do and during Moana’s lowest moment, said older role model simply promises to be with her and does not pressure her at all. Throw in some mythological and fantastical elements, a wicked lava monster, and the beauty of tropical Polynesia, and you can’t go wrong!
- Main Character. “See the line where the sky meets the sea, it calls me…” There is seriously nothing not to love about Moana. She has a voyager’s spirit but a heart that loves her island and her family. Despite a lifetime call toward the sea, Moana accepts her responsibilities as future chief and works hard for her island. Her role model is her grandmother, whom she honors with her time, attention, and respect. But when her island and her people are in jeopardy and the Ocean itself reveals Moana’s calling to restore the heart of Te Fiti, Moana boards a boat to sail across the sea. From her resourcefulness that enables her to learn the art of wayfinding to her courage and skill in tackling on obstacles from coconut pirates to a giant, treasure-wearing crab, Moana saves the day time and time again. But in the end, it’s her heart and the ability to see one’s true identity and show love that ultimately saves the world. Though not officially coronated into the Disney princess line, Moana will always be a princess at heart in my book. And finally, for the first time in Disney history, we have a princess with a REAL body. In keeping with the Polynesian proportions, Moana has thick calves (I have thick calves!), muscular arms, shorter frame, and my, oh my, can this girl wield a working bun when it’s time to get down to business!
- The Theme. If Moana can be boiled down to one theme, it’s identity. During the course of the film, Moana wrestles with her identity. “I’ll be satisfied if I go along, but a voice inside sends a different song, what is wrong with me?” In the beginning, Moana remains at war with herself. Is she the future chief and leader of her people which means forsaking her love of the sea and desire to go beyond the reef? Or is she truly a voyager like her ancestors of old? Ironically, Moana is expert at unearthing others identities from recognizing worth in a seemingly ignorant and useless chicken, HeiHei, to encouraging Maui so he may regain the use of his hook. In the climactic scene, we hear her inner voice ring true. “I am the girl who loves my island, I am the girl who loves the sea, it calls me…And the call isn’t out there at all, it’s inside me! Come what may, I know the way. I am Moana!” And of course, we learn the word Moana means “ocean”. Only when understanding her true identity can Moana face the lava monster, Te Ka. (Not spoiling).
- The Music. It was a short time after I watched the film that I realized how epic the score was. Not annoying unlike its “chilly” forerunner, Moana’s music itself evokes the ocean. Moana’s opening song, How Far I’ll Go reminds one of the rolling surf “I’ve been staring at the edge of the water long as I can remember…” with its ebbing and flowing opening. I love how it picks up tempo like rippling waves, “See that line where the sky meets the sea…” slow the waves, “and no one knows how far it goes…” For one who was terrible at sight reading and recognizing notes, being able to detect these watery elements in the music alone speaks to the genius of Lin-Manuel Miranda and the stunning powerhouse of a voice, Auli’i Cravalho.
I could list off a variety of other reasons I love Moana from its well-timed humor that doesn’t resort to fart jokes or the stunning usage of 2D animation from the original Aladdin’s Genie animator to messages that reiterate the importance of family, honoring one’s ancestors, doing what is right, and love triumphing over hate, i.e “They have stolen the heart from inside you, but this does not define you.” In conclusion, you won’t be sorry!