Post-Frozen, entertaining Disney with stunning visuals – but slightly lacking plot-wise.
Veteran Disney Directors, Musker & Clements (Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules) dive into an ocean of Polynesian mythology as protagonist Moana seeks to re-unite a mystic stone with a Goddess.
Beautiful animation. An excellent music score from amongst others Mr “Hamilton” himself, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Good vocal work from Dwayne Johnson and newcomer Auli’i Cravalho. All the elements are here, plus a real effort to avoid the ‘Disney Princess’ cliches of old – through a story of female-empowerment.
Hats off to the makers – this is imaginative animation with the Ocean becoming a real character in the film. And it’s Moana’s relationship with the sea and her people, which is core to the story. Abandoning the romances of old is a bold and positive move, but the story is not always as engaging as the more recent Disney classics.
But of course, I’m still singing those very catchy tunes. Moana – “You’re Welcome!”
