Moana dir. by ,

15 January 2017


Genre: , ,
Script:
Cast: , , ,
Setting:
Rated :

Moana, a spirited teenager and born navigator, sets sail from the ancient South Pacific islands of Oceania in search of a fabled island. During her incredible journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui, to traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore.

The first film I watched in the cinema in 2017 got me off to a good start. I really enjoyed Moana.

I really liked the character of Moana herself, she is called to the ocean but is also aware of what her duty as “chief’s daughter” is, and is determined not to let down either her people or her father. Only when she feels she has no choice does she take to the sea.

And the fact that she made the choice, rather than being yet another moany whiney chosen one1.

Loved the relationship she had with her family and where she came from, and the one she developed with Maui. But most of all I loved the Polynesian setting, the myths and legends and histories of Moana’s people. That was awesome! I don’t know a huge amount about Polynesian culture, I took one history class on Polynesia at college, and another on New Zealand, and they were great, but only scratched the surface of the topic.

I have to say that the songs as a whole didn’t really grab me though. Maybe I need to hear them again though, because it often takes me a few listens to a song to really fall in love2 with it.


  1. not that I don’t love a good chosen one, but it is nice to see a different take on the trope 

  2. or hate 

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