Moana Is A Hit

Rating: 9/10 (5 December 2016)

Disney has produced another hit with "Moana." Playing the title role, Auli'i Cravalho is a princess of a South Pacific island. Kind, intelligent, brave and adventurous, her desire to see what is beyond her island home is impeded by her father's warnings of the dangers that are out in the deep ocean and Cravalho's duty to stay home and learn how to be the next chief of the people. She reluctantly gives up her dream of sailing into the ocean far from homeuntil the plant and fish that Cravalho's people depend on to survive either die off or disappear.
Learning of an ancient tale of a demigod named Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) who stole a precious stone that provided life to the ocean and islands, Cravalho goes on a treacherous journey to find Johnson and force him to put the stone back; and hope that would bring balance, peace, and life back to her world. There will be many challenges for the young princess: she lacks knowledge of deep ocean sailing; she has a mentally challenged chicken as a stowaway; Johnson does not share Cravalho's eagerness to return the stone back to where it belongs; a swarm of tiny, coconut-headed pirates roam the ocean; Johnson's magic hook must be taken from a giant crab who will not give it up so easily; and a fearsome god made of lava guards the entrance to where the stone must be returned. Yup, it's going to take a team of brilliant writers to get her through all this!
My most memorable, movie moment of "Moana" is the scene when the princess gets a visit from her grandmother at a time when the princess is at her lowest, ready to give up and go home. It is a touching scene, especially to viewers who have lost a loved one and believe that our spirits go on, and one day we will see them again.
Fully realized, likable characters; a great story; positive messages; amazing animation; scenes that are very funny and scenes that put a lump in your throat; catchy songsthese are all present in "Moana." Bottom line, it's a great movie that adults will enjoy with their children because, like most Disney movies, it just makes you feel better about life.
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