Stunningly beautiful

Rating: 8/10 (20 March 2017)

Like much Disney animation, it's plagued with forgettable (very un-polynesian) songs I could have done without (with the singular exception of a very-listenable tip of the hat to David Bowie).
And the story isn't the strongest - deriving from past Disney and more than a little Miyazaki (which isn't necessarily a bad thing...)
But visually, this movie is breathtaking, perhaps in league with Bambi. There are some points where the motion study is so natural and fluid you ALMOST forget you're watching animation, truly "the illusion of life". And despite its non-western mythology and absence of white folk, I think old Uncle Walt would have approved.
Disney uses Pixar technology, and they've got skin and hair and smoke and clouds nailed. Still some problems with water and especially fire. Textures are looking very natural, the tropical colors clean and saturated.
Oh, and there are some points where the motion study is so natural and fluid you ALMOST forget you're watching animation.