Movie Review: 'Moana'
By Bill Wine
KYW Newsradio
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Three primary characters dominate the vibrant animated adventure comedy, Moana.
One is the title character, a self-possessed teenager destined to lead her people from impending doom who embarks on an ambitious quest to save her ecologically threatened island.
The second is her hero, Maui, a tattooed, shape-shifting, legendary demigod – hey, nobody said documentary reality was the intent here -- who dedicates himself to keeping Moana out of harm's way.
And the third is the "location" in the South Pacific on the fictional island of Motundi, supposed to be one of the over-a-thousand islands that comprise Oceania.
Moana (which means "ocean" in Maori) is a colorful, joyful, delightful, and tuneful 'toon about this young woman, voiced by Hawaiian newcomer – a talent hunt winner who beat out thousands for the role – Auli'I Cravalto, who is drawn to the ocean despite being forbidden to travel beyond the reef that surrounds their island by the stern, protective island chief, her father (Temuera Morrison), who wants to keep her safe, knowing that one day this Polynesian princess will be the chief.
So she uses her navigational talents to set sail for a fabled island of mysterious secrets in hopes of restoring the world's balance as her village decays because of a curse it's been burdened with.
Joining Moana on her spirited trip is the disgraced Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson – who does his own singing, by the way, as does she – who helps to make Moana's journey one of valuable self-discovery and hopes to reverse the curse.
The gorgeous, lush animation in this South Seas saga pays tribute to the natural beauty of the Pacific Islands.
And while the structure of the tale doesn't take us into any unfamiliar or surprising waters, the aesthetic execution from beginning to end is absolutely first-rate, resulting in another girl-powered myth in the making that suggests itself as a companion piece with Frozen.
A quartet of directors collaborated on Moana: Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, Treasure Planet, The Princess and the Frog), John Musker (The Great Mouse Detective), as well as co-directors Don Hall and Chris Williams (Big Hero 6) – and they've done a commendable job of mixing the theme of voyaging with spectacular visuals, an engaging narrative, and a set of stirring songs, including "How Far I'll Go," "You're Welcome," "Where We Are," and "We Know the Way," compliments of Hamilton creator Lin-Manual Miranda, along with Opeataia Foa'i and Mark Mancina.
The film deftly juggles reality and fantasy without falling back on the expected and sometimes obligatory romantic staples.
But intergenerational family love comes through loud and clear, effectively tugging at the heartstrings, the few action scenes are appropriately exciting without being overdone, and neither the striking sense of place nor the film's ready sense of humor ever falters.
As for the voice work by Foa'I and Johnson, it's on the money, with each of them creating and sustaining vivid characters and convincingly delivering the enjoyable platonic relationship of mutual respect, affection, and assistance between Moana and Maui that the film rests on.
Moana registers as if it were an elaborately produced stage musical and it certainly seems on its way to becoming just that, perhaps with a few songs added.
But first, after we swim toward 3 stars out of 4, it will take its place in the movie marketplace as a thoroughly pleasurable, admirable, and durable gift from the demigods of animation.
