Jeri Jacquin
Coming to theatres from director Thomas Kail and Walt Disney Studios comes the live-action MOANA.
This film tells the story of Moana (Catherine Laga’aia), daughter of Chief Tui (John Tui) and drawn to the ocean. Growing up with village expectations continually keeps her away from the waves that she loves. Listening to her father about taking her responsibilities seriously, she stays away from the water.
But one person knows of Moana’s love of the sea and desire to see what is beyond the waves, Gramma Tala (Rena Owen), who shares the secret of the people. Deep within the island are boats once used by Moana’s people, who were explorers.
When the island harvest isn’t producing what it normally does and the fish are disappearing from the cove, Moana knows she must do something to help. Along with rooster Heihei, Moana takes a boat and hits the seas searching for demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson).
They work together to reunite the heart of Te Fiti and save the people of Motunui Island.
Laga’aia as Moana is strong-willed, filled with ocean-guilt, loved by her people, and carries a tune. Knowing that the responsibilities come with the job of being the Chief’s daughter, Moana tries to fill the shoes. It is difficult to follow in the footsteps of the animated Moana with the voice of Auli’I Cravalho. Laga’aia gives it her own interpretation, but something is missing in this character. Laga’aia seems more stoic with a lovely voice in her portrayal.
Johnson as Maui is back as the demigod of wind and sea! He’s big; he has wavy black/brown (it constantly changes) hair and a tattoo that literally is his conscience. Being the voice of Maui in 2016, stellar, and there is absolutely no one else who could have pulled it off. As the live-action Maui? Not so much. I love Dwayne Johnson- don’t get me wrong; I just think it was a body suit stretched too far. It is too difficult to go from being the animated voice to being the actual character. The performance is just…fine.
I have to take this moment to talk about Heihei the chicken. This bird is hilarious. Yes, the pig is cute, and the fish of the sea are awesome, but Heihei is the most unusually funny animal I have seen in Disney films.
Big shout out to Owen as Gramma Tala. She has such a big heart in this story. The relationship she has with Moana is tender and strong. Anyone who has that kind of relationship with their grandmother, Owen, will give you a reason to reach for a Kleenex. Beautiful performance.
Other cast include Emma Puahi-Shapazian, Amaya Masoli, Arya Kasarla all as young Moana, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa.
MOANA has, once again, managed to leave a sour taste in my mouth. I don’t know what it is that those handling films feel the need to take beloved animated films and ruin them. I just don’t see the need to make them live-action. It’s not like Disney has much success in this area, and someone needs to sit down with them and calmly say, “Stop it.” I volunteer to take the hit. With three generations sitting in the theatre watching, none of us were blown away by the film. It felt lifeless and too early to be made into a live-action. It’s only been ten years since the original release, and already a live-action? Why bother making animated films if the intent is to do it? When asked what I thought of the films, the only word I could come up with was - unnecessary.
What is the point of live-action when there are special effects and CGI, which is just a few steps up from animation? Even the actors have been tampered with, meaning Johnson’s character. So, what is the point? That’s the question I kept asking myself through the film. I giggled and laughed with the animated MOANA (and still do); the live-action version just had me wishing I’d stayed home.
Look, before anyone jumps on me, there is love, family, humor, friendship, suspense, adventure, and cuteness with the chicken. The colors are vibrant and make me wish our oceans looked like that again. That’s the takeaway from the film if one is looking for the positives. Yet, these are the same themes, songs, lines, etc., as the 2016 animated film.
Of course, you can’t have The Rock in a film where his character is not only narcissistic but also has tattoos that remind him of that fact, a cockeyed chicken, an ocean with attitude, and a young girl with determination bigger than the demigods' pecks, and not have a tad of family fun. It’s summer and families need to do things together, so MOANA it is.
In the end – the ocean is calling!
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