Moana

“Moana is more a self-conscious teen than a carefree spirit. Laga'aia, making her debut, also struggles to hit the right note of chutzpah that marked her animated version. Her eager-to-please smile is the biggest detractor.”

“This live-action Disney film reimagines their 2016 animation classic, Moana, without consciously trying to surpass or belittle one of their finest animation exercises. One of the finest Disney scripts ever, the narration does not offer a standardized template wherein a princess has to deal with evil forces and win the heart of an eligible suitor. At 115 minutes, it is one relentless cinematic feat and feast, a seamlessly perfect amalgam of content and form, all anchored by some incredible writing.”

“The remake delivers spectacle and sincerity, but its safest choices leave Johnson's Maui doing much of the heavy lifting.”

“Moana is almost a frame-for-frame recreation that struggles to justify why it exists in the first place. A live-action retelling that brings nothing new to the table.”

“The live-action Moana faithfully recreates the original, but rarely captures its magic. It just can't justify its own existence, much like the Mulan remake. It is just Disney flexing that whatever it creates will be consumed by nostalgia-fueled audiences.”

“Same map, same reef, but the tide just isn't the same”

“Now comes a live-action remake of the animated film, which is stunning only in its soulless replication of frames. The songs, action, and jokes all give as much joy as microwaved curry puffs from yesterday. Moana was an animated gem, which did not need this flat rehashing.”

“Disney's live-action Moana brings back beloved songs, Dwayne Johnson and stunning visuals, but offers little beyond the animated classic. Catherine Laga'aia shines in this family adventure, though the remake struggles to match the original's charm.”