Moana, make way, make way…
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It’s time you knew there’s now a live-action adaptation of Disney’s Moana (2016). Directed by Hamilton’s Thomas Kail, the film stars Catherine Laga'aia in her film debut as the titular character alongside Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui, Rena Owen, John Tui, and Frankie Adams. Jemaine Clement also returns to voice the sassy and villanous coconut crab Tamatoa.
Disney’s live action Moana (2026) follows the original to the beat. Set in old Polynesia where its inhabitants worship Te Fit – the goddess of nature, a shape-shifting demigod Maui changes the course when he steals her “heart” – a stone that is the source of Te Fiti’s powers. Despite his good intentions of taking the heart for humanity’s sake, his actions awaken the volcanic demon Te Kā – a darkness that slowly destroys nature.
Years later, Motunui is striked by a blight that threatens the wellbeing of its villagers. Enter Moana, daughter of the village chief, the mystical ocean's chosen one to save her people. Her mission is to find Maui and have him right his wrongs by restoring the heart of Te Fiti.
It’s every Disney fan’s wet dream – an exciting adventure film with a heroine at the forefront and a catchy soundtrack to boot. (Did we forget to mention this is also a musical with songs from Hamilton maestro Lin-Manuel Miranda?) Unfortunately for fans who may be all too familiar with the original, this version offers nothing fresh or new. The most interesting (yet subjective) part may just be the cursed image of a nipple-less Johnson with long luscious locks, animating himself to replicate the cartoon character he famously voiced. You’ll never really get used to the hair but Johnson’s unwavering charm is enough for you to not care.
Needless as this may have been, this film is not without its saving graces – namely Laga’aia who makes a triumphant debut portraying a prolific character with little wriggle room. Her singing abilities matching that of original Moana Auliʻi Cravalho’s and instant likeability makes this adaptation less droll and unnecessary.
One of the original film’s strongest elements were Miranda’s songs, which thankfully hold up in this version – another saving grace worth mentioning. It should come to no surprise that music be Disney’s saviour when it comes to the live-action adaptations of their musicals.
Disney’s Moana putting Samoans on the map once again is the strongest argument we have for this film’s existence. It’s never easy to catch lightning in a bottle twice, but at least they did their best with retaining the heart 2016’s Moana is so beloved for.
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