Moana review: Slightly off the hook

Actor-co-producer Dwayne Johnson and Disney’s live-action adaptation of their 2016 animated musical, is moderately engaging.

Rating: (2.5 /5)

By Mayur Lookhar

In its century-long history, Disney explored Polynesian culture with its first Polynesian princess adventure film, Moana (2016). Its title may have been inspired by the 1926 documentary film, widely regarded as the first cinematic representation of Polynesian culture. (This was also the first film classified as a documentary). Following the success of Moana (2016), Dwayne Johnson was keen on a live-action film, but he had to wait until Moana 2 (2024) before that dream began to take shape. Johnson and Disney co-produced the project, with Thomas Kail making his feature directorial debut and original writer Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller penning the screenplay, with debutante actress Catherine Laga’aia playing the titular role.

The transition from animation to live action often begins by revisiting the origins. Thomas Kail’s directorial debut effectively becomes a live-action adaptation of the 2016 hit animated musical, with barely any changes to the story.

For those who haven’t seen the original, set in ancient Polynesia, the film follows Moana, the strong-willed daughter of a village chief, who is chosen by the ocean to restore a mystical relic to the goddess Te Fiti. She needs the help of the ancient demigod Maui, who has not been seen for thousands of years.

Ten years is a fairly long time for a first live-action film in a franchise, but with the second animated film arriving only two years ago, Moana would not trigger the same nostalgia as The Lion King (2019), which came 25 years after the original animated film. The challenge for Thomas Kail is not the story, but whether Moana can deliver a life-like version of the 2016 animated musical. This is where Kail’s film is likely to divide opinion. Though steeped in culture, the early drama feels staged, with the actors appearing Polynesian in skin but not in soul. It is only when Moana meets Maui that the real adventure begins. From there, although the journey is predictable, the visual action is likely to captivate audiences more.

Such tales and voyages are often about riding the waves, but what makes Moana stand out here is that the waves seem to be riding Moana, literally offering her a helping hand on this voyage. The visuals are brilliantly designed.

Distressed by the initial setbacks, Moana moans that the ocean was perhaps wrong to choose her for this journey. Well, early on, it’s a feeling that will be seconded by the audience too. Debutante Catherine Laga‘aia takes a while to get into the adventurous spirit and seems more comfortable once she forges a bittersweet relationship with the demi-god Maui. From there on, it is simply about enjoying the voyage, a true dream role for the debutante actress, and Laga‘aia makes a decent first impression.

Rather surprisingly, Dwayne Johnson lacks the energy that usually comes naturally to Maui, as seen in the previous two films. The curly hair seldom convinces, and perhaps that weighs on Johnson, who doesn’t quite recreate the magic of his voice performance as Maui in the earlier animated films. Strange as it may sound, the moving tattoos on Johnson’s bulky frame infuse more life than the actor himself.

The rest of the cast barely makes an impression. Surely, bearing the Tui name did not influence John Tui’s casting as Chief Tui. Though she plays Moana’s mother, Frankie Adams comes across as a mere passenger here. Rena Owen appears to be trying too hard to impress as Moana’s grandmother. The trio come across as Polynesian in skin, but with barely any soul.

The human hand appears a bit thin, but Kail and his animators do well to bring the animal characters Chicken Heihei, Pua the pig, and the coconut pirates, the Kakamora, to life. Jemaine Clement, returning as the voice of the shiny and pompous treasure-hoarding coconut crab Tamatoa, is always a delight.

Moana’s biggest strengths are its adventure-filled journey, delightful music, and special effects, particularly its chief antagonist, Te Kā, meaning “the burning one” in Māori. The visuals of pristine beaches and islands offer Polynesian travel goals. Amidst the beautiful landscapes, the film also delivers a message about preserving culture, tradition, and nature itself. Grandma’s words , “who we were and what we need to be”, lend the film a quiet note of introspection for the Polynesian people.While the original animated film set the bar very high, this live-action adaptation, despite its flaws, remains a worthy voyage.