When it comes to live-action adaptations from Disney, the hope is that it’s better than the original or provides new context that makes the story worth retelling. From their biggest box-office hits like The Lion King to bombs like Snow White, Disney showcases that more often than not, a bit of Disney magic can still get audiences back into theatres, like seeing Dwayne Johnson rock an interesting wig.
With the live-action reimagining of Moana, Disney attempts to make a shot-for-shot remake of a film that is much more recent from the line-up of animated films featuring their beloved princesses. Starring Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson, the live-action Moana embraces the magic but falls short of its animated counterpart.
‘Moana’ is Beautiful, but Struggles To Separate Itself From the Animated Film
Disney’s usual intent with its live-action adaptations is to improve its original storytelling, and while at times it works, other times it absolutely doesn’t. With Moana, rather than expanding on the story from the 2016 animated movie, the live-action version is a shot-for-shot remake of the original film.
Director Thomas Kail recreates the original with remarkable accuracy, and writers Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller bring back the same iconic lines from the original screenplay, too. However, that accuracy ultimately prevents this live-action adaptation from establishing its own identity, leaving viewers wanting more from a story that they’re already familiar with in animation.
The live-action Moana movie would’ve benefited from more time in development to at least flesh out the story by adding scenes featuring the supporting characters. For instance, broadening Maui’s backstory beyond the already included moments wouldn’t just strengthen Moana’s journey to save her island but also heighten the emotional stakes of why it’s meaningful for them to team up.
Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson Are Just As Charismatic as Their Animated Counterparts
As lovable as the characters from the animated movie are, seeing them brought to life in this adaptation is an added layer of enjoyment. Catherine Laga’aia flawlessly debuts on the Hollywood scene as Moana. She plays Moana with such courage, curiosity, and compassion that she matches her animated counterpart (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) well. Laga’aia is able to hold her own with pride, especially in scenes she shares with her much-famed co-star, allowing Moana not to be totally overshadowed by Maui’s larger-than-life presence.
By voicing Maui in animation, Dwayne Johnson, both as an actor and a producer, had a lot to live up to. Not only was he tasked with playing the exact same character he voiced, but also with allowing Maui to feel familiar yet different to viewers. Johnson brought a more “bro” energy to his live-action take as Maui compared to the anti-hero with a heart from the animated movie, which at times made Johnson feel like he was playing himself rather than the character he was portraying. Despite that, he still captures the charisma audiences adore in him from his role as the demi-god in animation.
On top of these actors breathing life into these characters, they are both given a magical boost thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s exceptional musical numbers. Laga’aia sings like an absolute angel, notably in Moana’s central song “How Far I’ll Go,” and Johnson never misses a beat singing (for probably his millionth time) Maui’s iconic hit “You’re Welcome.”
‘Moana’ is a Reminder That Faithfulness Isn’t Always Enough
Being faithful to the animation is extremely important, and yet there must always be a balance between originality and offering something slightly new to a story already so beloved. Moana is almost too faithful to a fault, missing opportunities to evolve the story and marking another lesson for Disney regarding their live-action adaptations.
Ultimately, Moana is beautifully brought to life through its ravishing visuals, epic musical numbers and charming cast, but it doesn’t do enough to justify its existence, as it offers audiences another viewing of the same story rather than providing a fresh reason to revisit it.
Moana opens exclusively in theatres everywhere on July 10. Stay tuned to Agents of Fandom socials for all the latest entertainment news and reviews.
'Moana' Review
'Moana' ReviewThe Good
- Catherine Laga'aia makes a wonderful cinematic debut as Moana.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical numbers are just as wonderful as they were in animation.
- The film faithfully remakes the classic animated film.
The Bad
- The film misses the opportunity to expand the story, leaving more to offer.
- Dwayne Johnson performs with charisma, but Maui is less endearing than in animation.
