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The Rotunda
Tuesday, July 29, 2025

The Reel Life: "Moana"

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Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures and Walt Disney Animation Studios.

From the directors of “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Hercules” comes “Moana,” a Disney film that will truly go down in history as one of the studio’s all-time greatest.

The film centers on Moana, a 16-year-old girl who is also the future chief of her island. She leaves the island after darkness finds it to restore balance to the Oceana and save her island by finding the demigod Maui.

First off, this film is one of the most beautifully animated films I have ever seen; not just in terms of the water, but every detail from the stars to the way Moana’s wet hair moves has intense features, allowing the gorgeous colors and crisp environments and characters to shine.

Speaking of character, Moana feels like a truly realized, three-dimensional character. She has no love interest, and often must explain to Maui why he is wrong and pigheaded. Moana's character is that of a warrior and a leader- not a princess.

Her first-time voice actress, Auli’I Cravalho shines as this quirky and odd heroine, and Dwayne Johnson gives a charismatic and hilarious performance as the demigod Maui. It’s also worth noting that every character in the film is voiced by actors of Polynesian or New Zealand descent, adding true depth and realism to the film.

Lin Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, gives us some instant hits as his writing shines through, giving us modern Disney classic songs such as Johnson’s “You’re Welcome,” Cravahlo’s “How Far I’ll Go” and the title track, sung by Manuel himself with co-writer Opetaia Foa’i, “We Know the Way.”

Initially the film seems to be following a typical Disney plot, but the film subverts expectations. From the very beginning, the audience is shown something they wouldn’t have guessed would have happened, and this subversion of norms continues with Moana herself, even in the film’s climax.

Disney has not only given us a new heroine, but has also managed to stray from audience expectations by giving us a gorgeous film with its own distinct identity. “Moana” is truly a triumph in animation, in a year that has given us a multitude of successful animated films.

Even with the quality of this year, however, nothing comes close to the gorgeously animated, deeply written, wonderfully sung and all around brilliant film that is “Moana.” Set sail, and see this immediately.

5/5

Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures and Walt Disney Animation Studios.