'Moana' Brings Disney Closer To Its Former Glory Than It's Ever Been

Rating: Null/10 (4 February 2017)

Adventurous, endearing & delightfully amusing, the latest feature film from Walt Disney Animation Studios finds the legendary studio at the very peak of its Revival Era and closer than it's ever been to its former glory, for Moana is another excellent blend of first-rate storytelling & dazzling animation that promises plenty of fun & enjoyment to viewers of all ages and skilfully delivers it.
The story of Moana follows its titular character, the only daughter of a Polynesian tribe's Chieftain who's always been curious about what lies beyond the reef surrounding her island. And when their crops begin to fail, she sets off on an epic journey across the ocean to find the demigod Maui, who caused the blight by stealing a mystical relic from a goddess, and persuade him to return it.
Directed by Ron Clements & John Musker, the film quickly glances over its mythology & Polynesian tribe's way of life before moving ahead with its main plot, and maintains a steady pace & fun vibe throughout its runtime. The direction is neat, plot is expertly handled, humour is finely applied even though it goes overboard at times, and the characters of Moana & Maui are handled with elegance.
The animation is absolutely gorgeous, decorating the film with sumptuous set pieces and employs some hand-crafted magic as well on its CGI canvas. Every image brims with vibrant colours, sharp outlines, terrific lighting & a sense of depth. The soundtrack is beautifully composed & seamlessly integrated into the narrative, and while the musical numbers aren't catchy, they do carry a melodic tune.
It's quite impossible to not like a film that has Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, playing a demigod, and singing songs. Bringing Maui to life with finesse, it's evident that Johnson had a lot of fun voicing this character that seems tailor-made for him in more ways than one. The character of Moana is voiced by a newcomer and she does an outstanding job at it, wonderfully balancing the vocal tonality to fit the particular moment.
On an overall scale, Moana is a musical that has something in store for everyone. Not everything works out in the film's favour though, for the sentient coconut pirate scene was quite unnecessary and the sidekicks overstay their welcome but it offers consistent delivery of laughs, a welcome depth in its plot & characters, and wonderfully carved moments of genuine warmth to finish as another high-quality addition to Disney's repertoire. Definitely recommended.