Of Montunui and beyond.. Review on Moana

Disney has brought one more Princess to life, though she(Moana) doesn’t agree with it, she’s just the daughter of the tribe’s chief. This Polynesian lad(she ain’t like any distressed princess) is born with a wanderlust soul that wants to go beyond the reef and touch the line between the sky and the ocean.

Moana(Mwah-na), voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, is playful with the ocean and longs to sail in those waters. But her father is hammering her mind to stay where they are because the island provides for them and they have all that they need. Still, it’s Moana’s heart that draws her towards the ocean. Her Gramma, the village crazy lady, who talks to Moana about following her inner voice.

Everything is beautiful and dandy, when the crops of the island start turning into soot. Gramma tells Moana about Maui(Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), who stole the heart of Te Fiti, which cursed all the islands and ocean. Now it is upto Moana to take the heart, find Maui and sail across the sea to restore Te Fiti’s heart, along with her dimwitted chicken HeiHei(knocks on wood).

The journey of Moana from her island, discovering her roots, and sailing the ocean with Maui to give back the heart comprises of many hurdles, self-doubts, and learnings that makes up the character grow on you. Maui is the self-proclaimed coolest demi-god, evah! Tattooed for all that he has earned and accompanied by his fellow tattooed guy on his body makes for a wonderful add-on.

Moana is a princess that has evolved with the times. She is about to lead her village people and place her stone on top of the mountain. She is this generation’s princess who has Pua(the pig) and HeiHei to play along, ocean to protect her and Maui, the hero of all(men and women), who is the bickering brother she never had.

This musical movie has the magic brought once more by Lin-Manuel Miranda lyrics(remember Hamilton, if you don’t check it out). The unique distinction that Hamilton brought for him became a cultural phenomenon, though many didn’t witness it. With Moana, he is going to become a household name, and am crossing my fingers for Oscar.

Moana’s success as a musical shouldn’t surprise anybody, after all, it has been directed by masters, Ron Clements and John Musker, the two names that also directed Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. Impressive, eh?

Maui, is the demi-god which is drawn just for The Rock. He is himself all the while and “you are welcome” for that. Auli’I Cravalho is endearing, warm, and spunky, goes perfectly well with today’s rebellious-for-no-cause teens. She has the charismatic spark that wants to do things but still a little frighten by the unknown. Moana and Maui bring the best in each other’s characters. Ain’t no one chicken apart from HeiHei(got to watch the movie to understand this).

In short, Moana is the movie for all ages. Everyone can enjoy the sail and know more about the struggles of young life. It is muffled with tradition, showing both the legendary predecessors and celebrating the colourful culture.

Watch it with your young ones and see yourself, as well, while Moana takes you across the reef to fight for what she has been chosen for.