Moana is about to set sail right into audiences hearts (on Thanksgiving Day)! As part of a special media pass, Macaroni Kid - Walnut was lucky enough to preview the movie before its T-day release, and share our thoughts with you.
Moana is Disney's first animated film based on a Polynesian folktale / legend, and tells a story that many can relate to. In Moana, Disney tells the story of a Polynesian island chief's adolescent daughter who's been raised to become the next leader of her people. Moana has always had a special relationship with the ocean and has grown up believing her grandmother's tales about how shape-shifting demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson) cursed the islands by stealing a special rock (the ancient Heart of Te Fiti) that grants the power of creation. When the island becomes threatened by famine (coconut harvest fails and the fishermen return with empty nets), Moana takes her grandmother's advice and sets sail against all odd's and her father's rules to find the exiled Maui, and ultimately save her people. I am very proud of Disney portraying Moana as such a strong heroine figure. Having 3 daughters of my own, it was refreshing to see such strength, determination, and leadership from a female character that was not your typical Disney "princess." (I found it especially awesome when even my son cheers for Moana (who I thought reminded me of my oldest daughter, or my son's sister).
All throughout the movie, I kept telling myself how beautiful and life-like the graphics and CG were done - I truly believe Disney achieved their goal of celebrating the Polynesian culture it which it was representing. The art and music were intertwined so well that you actually felt you were sailing in the ocean! I later found out that Moana utilized technology that had never been used before, but still included a throw back to the traditional hand drawn animation that made Disney famous. Disney never seems to disappoint with animation, and Moana is an excellent example of this very point.
The music is absolute perfection. To give you an idea, my 7 year old son (who is not a big fan of singing) was humming the theme songs from the movie all the way home and well into the evening. Fans of Hamilton on Broadway will see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s finger prints all over the music. You even get to hear Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson sing and rap…that alone is worth the ticket, right? Opetaia Foa’i, a Polynesian musician, worked with Miranda to create an authentic vibe (with music feel) which exceeded my expectations even for a Disney musical. If there's any justice to this world, the movie's main theme song entitled, "How Far I'll Go" will be the new "Let it Go" this Christmas season.
Having come back from the movie just a few days, many parents have already wanted to know how scary the movie was given the the movie's rating was PG. While for the most part, the movie is inspiring, uplifting, and fun, there are some scary moments that are both questionably exciting and fierce. Some examples included bad guys that consisted of a tribe of coconuts that were a bit more fierce than they sound or looked, a determined lava monster that looked really scary and angry, and one death (off camera) that is heart-breaking, but necessary to the story (warning: tears may fall). Thus, having not explained what "demigods" are before, or the differences between folktales and legends, or what a "curse" or "spirit" might be, my kid(s) had a lot of questions during (and way after) the movie. As such, it goes without saying that the PG rating is fair, but parental guidance is definitely needed.
As another example, there's also a bit of language along the lines of "butt" and "dumb" that Disney attempts to illicit laughs...but otherwise, the movie should be fine for younger viewers, offering a positive messages of self-discovery and empowerment. (My personal opinion was kids ages 7+ should be okay, while younger kids should probably have the parent(s) watch it first to determine its appropriateness since each kid can be different).
All in all, my son and I loved this budding adventure. The story was great and the film's musical numbers are well paced and wonderfully sung (although I may have questioned their placing and transition into the songs). Moana is not the first Disney "princess" to rebel against either her parents or "her society," nor will she be the last, but Moana certainly will strike a chord with audiences (kids and adults) alike.
Added Bonus
Make sure to get to the theaters early to see an animated short called, "Inner Workings!" This was my son's favorite bonuses of seeing a Disney film in the theater, and this one was definitely worth it. Inner Workings is fun and insightful. For those of you who can't wait, or want to know, the main character, Paul, is someone works a little too hard, worries a little too much, and allows too much of life just pass him by. The story then comes along for the day, and looks inside at how he feels. It is clever and sweet, and will make you want to enjoy life a little more after watching it!
