Adventure
Comedy
Review: ‘Moana’ is a Note-for-Note Remake that has Nothing New to Offer to Fans of the Animated Original
July 10, 2026Ben MK
|
When it comes to modern-day family classics, they don't get more beloved than Moana. So, when Disney announced that they would be remaking their 2016 animated hit into a live-action blockbuster, moviegoers had a myriad of reasons to be skeptical. Unlike other live-action Disney remakes like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Jungle Book, the original Moana is so fresh in audiences minds that it's difficult to justify redoing it. That, however, hasn't stopped director Thomas Kail from taking the helm of this second voyage into the clear blue waters of the South Pacific, as a headstrong teenager named Moana (Catherine Laga'aia) and the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) set out to restore balance to the world by returning the all-important heart of Te Fiti to its rightful place. Just like its animated predecessor, the story follows Moana, a feisty young girl who was born and raised on the Pacific island of Motunui, a veritable paradise where its inhabitants have been fortunate enough to be provided with everything they need. From food to shelter, Moana and her people have always been able to rely on the gods to bestow upon them nature's bounty. But one day, when the fishermen of her village return with the troubling news that there are no longer any fish to catch, it marks the beginning of tough times and the fulfilment of a prophecy set into motion ages ago, when the misguided Maui — a shapeshifter, trickster, and all-around fun-loving demigod — stole the glowing green heart from the goddess of creation, Te Fiti, thereby unleashing the monster Te Kā. A destructive creature composed of burning hot magma, Te Kā infected everything it touched with a life-draining darkness that slowly spread from island to island. And now that that evil has reached Motunui, it's up to Moana to find Maui and convince him to help her return what he stole — an act that will finally put an end to the otherwise unstoppable malevolence wreaking havoc on the South Pacific. Chosen by the ocean herself, Moana is encouraged to pursue her calling by her grandmother, Tala (Rena Owen), one of the few people on Motunui who still remember that their tribe used to be voyagers who bravely sailed the ocean waves in search of adventure. All that changed with the arrival of Te Kā and the ensuing darkness, though. And despite the disapproval of her father, Chief Tui (John Tui), Moana will embark on a life-changing adventure of her own, as she sails out into the unknown to find Maui. Not seen by a single soul since his theft of Te Fiti's heart, Maui will require more than a little coaxing to convince him to join Moana on her quest to put things right. Once he comes around, however, will anything be able to stop this unlikely duo? Accompanied by her kooky pet chicken, Hei Hei, Moana won't just discover how awe-inspiring the world beyond Motunui is — she'll also come to realize how much she herself is capable of. And as for Maui, he might just learn something about himself as well, as he comes to realize that even demigods need a little help sometimes. A scene-for-scene remake that's virtually indistinguishable from the original, the result will have many moviegoers scratching their heads and wondering if screenwriters Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller didn't simply copy and paste Ron Clements and John Musker's screenplay from the 2016 version. Nevertheless, despite this new iteration's complete lack of deviation from its animated counterpart, at its core, this is far from a terrible film. From the same sing-along-worthy songs and charismatic performances to its coming-of-age story and hilarious side characters, this is exactly the Moana that audiences have come to know and love. Then again, on the other hand, this is exactly the Moana that audiences have come to know and love, a fact that ultimately begs the question — precisely who is this remake for and what's the point of this entire endeavor? Whether you're a dedicated fan of the 2016 movie or a complete newbie, Moana has precious little to offer audiences aside from the novelty of seeing its human characters in live-action form. So, really, when you think about it, there isn't very much reason to watch this one when its superior animated predecessor exists. Either way, no matter which version you choose, Moana still remains an engaging story filled with fun characters and catchy songs. As a remake, though, it's as superfluous as legs on a fish. Moana releases July 10th, 2026 from Walt Disney Studios. The film has an MPAA rating of PG for action/peril, some scary images, rude humor and brief thematic elements. Its runtime is 1 hr. 55 min. |
0 comments