Moana Review: A Dazzling Animated Adventure

The narrative stays remarkably faithful to the source material. Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia), the strong-willed daughter of Motunui’s Chief Tui (John Tui), feels the ocean pulling her toward a destiny beyond the safety of her island’s reef. When a creeping blight threatens her people’s food and fish, she defies her father, heeds the dying wish of her grandmother Gramma Tala (Rena Owen, delivering a tear-jerking turn), and sets sail to find the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson). Together, they must cross the vast Pacific to restore the heart of Te Fiti and bring life back to the world. The beats are familiar: the reluctant mentor, the “I Will Go” anthem, the living ocean, the giant crab. But Kail’s script (a tight 115-minute package) adds subtle depth to Moana’s relationship with her mother, Sina (Frankie Adams, commanding in a role previously confined to a few lines), giving the heroine’s departure a more palpable sense of familial loss.

Let’s get the biggest question out of the way: does the live-action format ruin the magic? The answer is no, though it does change the magic. The ocean itself, once a hyper-expressive cartoon character, is now a stunning blend of practical water photography and CGI. It looks real - a churning, blue-green force that feels both majestic and terrifying. Gone are the googly-eyed waves and the playful slapstick; in their place is a more elemental, respectful relationship between the water and its chosen vessel. This works in some scenes (the silent, stormy voyage is breathtaking) and feels slightly less whimsical in others.

Catherine Lagaʻaia is the film’s beating heart. She captures Moana’s teenage stubbornness and her aching vulnerability with a naturalism that eludes many child actors thrust into blockbusters. When she sings “How Far I’ll Go” (still the film’s emotional peak), she doesn’t just belt; she aches. Dwayne Johnson reprises his voice role in the flesh, and it’s a smart move - he is Maui. He’s charismatic, funny, and gives the demigod’s self-doubt a grounded heft lacking in the animated version. His miniaturized tattoos, however, look distractingly like an Apple Watch animation stuck on his forearm; the magic of the ink feels lost in translation.

The supporting cast is stellar. Jemaine Clement’s Tamatoa is a slimy, glittering nightmare as a practical puppet/CGI hybrid, and his “Shiny” number is the film’s most dazzling technical achievement - a bioluminescent Cabaret of the Deep. Emma Puahi-Shapazian and Amaya Masoli, playing Moana as a toddler and eight-year-old respectively, bring a heartbreaking sweetness to the opening flashbacks. The only real misstep is the pacing. The first act, while visually lush, takes a long time to leave the island; the middle drags slightly as Maui tries to escape. By the time the climactic confrontation with the lava monster Te Kā arrives, the film hits its emotional stride, but some viewers might feel a bit weary.

Pros

• Catherine Lagaʻaia’s star-making performance; she owns every frame.
• The ocean cinematography is some of the best in modern blockbuster filmmaking.
• Dwayne Johnson and Jemaine Clement bring song-and-dance charisma to the fore.
• The expanded role for Sina (Frankie Adams) adds welcome dramatic weight.
• The final act recaptures the original’s spiritual, tear-jerking power.

Cons

• The first act is too slow; the island of Motunui feels idyllic to the point of stalling.
• Maui’s animated tattoos - a beloved detail - look incongruent and less expressive in 3D.
• A few musical numbers feel slightly reined in for “realism,” losing their anarchic joy.
• The runtime, while standard, feels longer due to uneven pacing in the middle.

“Moana” (2026) is not the definitive version of this story - the 2016 animated film retains that crown for its sheer, unburdened joy. But Thomas Kail and his cast have crafted a lush, respectful, and occasionally breathtaking new interpretation that stands on its own. It honors the culture, the music, and the core message that “the call isn’t out there at all; it’s inside me.” For families looking for a summer blockbuster with soul, or fans who simply want to see the ocean one more time, this is a voyage worth taking. Just be prepared for a few choppy waters before the wind fills your sails.