Review of Moana (2016) by James S — 01 Apr 2017

Coming off of the critical and commercial success of Frozen, Disney had a lot to live up to. They could have played it safe, but playing it safe is not what got Frozen to where it currently is. Hiring a 16-year-old unknown to play the lead, and a man famous for writing raps about a treasury secretary appears to be Disney's way of broadcasting their bold new direction.

What sets Moana apart is her total lack of a love interest. She is not defined in any way by any one person; rather, she is connected to her people. However, in order to keep that connection, she must leave the safety of her island and engage in adventure.

The creative team worked very hard to give her an identitiy of her own. Despite being paired with a much more powerful co-star, she has her own will and a sense of agency. Yet, beneath all that, there is a vulnerability and uncertainty that makes her so very relatable.

The music is good, although it does not soar to the heights of Disney's best. "How Far I'll Go" is the most prominent, getting a reprise later in the film. There's a lot of the trademark Disney silliness in with the lyrics, as you would expect from a songwriter who specializes in fast-talking text.

A fine entry into the stable, this keeps Disney clearly at the front of the animation pack.