Moana

“Moana,” released last month, would have been hugely entertaining whenever Disney decided to release it, but the time it was released, which was at a certain point this year, gives it an added sense of importance – including inspiration.

The latest animated musical hit from Walt Disney Animation Studios tells about the journey of a young woman who finds her own significance and creates her own identity. She decides to be a responsible chief to her tribe in her own way, rather than a stereotypical princess who is a damsel, where the film jokes about it in a hilarious way. She has both the wisdom to respect her tribe’s traditions and the bravery to go her own way toward the future.

Christy Lemire stated in her review, “Moana is on the verge of becoming the first female chief in the proud history of her Polynesian tribe, shattering the glass ceiling under spectacular blue skies. Imagine that.”

Obviously you can see “Moana” for its stunning visuals, great music, enjoyable performances, smart running jokes and the complete enjoyment. Everything is there, and – despite a few frightening scenes – it’ll impress any child or adult. I agree with Lemire when she said, “But for some of us older folks in the crowd, it’s hard to shake the feeling of wistful possibility in seeing a woman assume the leadership position for which she was destined.”

This is an absolute must for everyone to see. It also has the surprisingly confident, fortunate debut from Auli’I Cravalho, a Hawaiian teenager showing such an amazing talent would take voice actors years to perfect. While voicing the main character, Cravalho showcases style, excellent timing and a catching energy. On top of that, the film has the directing team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin”) and a small variety of writers to give her so many opportunities to be excellent both individually and as part of such an amazing cast of characters.

You can guess the giant name is former WWE wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the muscled demigod Maui, who Moana has to team up with to return the heart of the ocean to the island and correct a mistake he made a millennium ago that’s gradually diseasing the Pacific islands since than – including, most recently, her island. Being one of the most appealing actors in the business, Johnson impresses with all the arrogance you’d think, and he also has the ability of playing his tough-guy as we’ve seen since he was a wrestler. (A running joke where Maui’s number of tattoos comes to life to comment on the action – and insult him – gives a constantly hilarious Greek chorus.) However, Johnson doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to channel friendlier, dramatic moments, and “Moana” gives him the chance to showcase that side of his talent, as well.

The two enjoy so many highs and lows as they sail out into the ocean, learning to work together and navigate so many obstacles and outsmart their enemies. (Lemire said, “If you’re thinking about bringing very young children, a giant lava monster might seem frightening to them, but everything else is pretty darn delightful—including a pirate armada of evil coconuts who attack in a hilarious and thrilling sequence that’s straight out of “Mad Max: Fury Road.”)

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda co-wrote so many of the songs that help advance the action, including Moana’s main theme, How Far I’ll Go, and Maui’s hilarious introduction song, You’re Welcome. Moana’s song talks about her longing to leave the island and journey beyond the island’s reef, something her father (Temuera Morrison) and mother (The lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger) have insisted her not to do because of fear of the dangers out there. Lemire noted, “While it (mercifully) lacks the same persistent earworm qualities of the ubiquitous “Let It Go” from “Frozen,” its message of female assertiveness makes it infinitely more worthwhile.” Another great song is “Shiny,” a cheesy little song sung by Jemaine Clement as an evil crab with a fascination for everything shiny and gold. Lemire mentioned, “It’s hard to ignore the modern-day political figure he calls to mind, too.”

Lemire noted, “The details in these production numbers are just decadent; the colors are a million shades of green blue, and the underwater creatures and settings have a wonderfully immersive, tactile quality.” It could be that the movie went the easy, physical jokes way too many times, like when you look at Moana’s animal friend, an absent-minded chicken named Heihei, voiced by Alan Tudyk, who accidentally joins her when she goes to sail across the ocean.

However, Moana – a strong, curvy girl and not your typical, skinny princess – is ready for any challenge that comes her way. Even a crazy sidekick.

In the end, I highly recommend this movie. My whole family went last night to the theaters to see this and all of us absolutely loved it. This easily makes another one of my favorite Disney movies, and you need to go to the theaters to see this. Seeing how Disney has not made a movie set in the Hawaiian islands since “Lilo & Stitch,” it’s nice to see them come back to that again, and making it successful. If only Disney would just continue doing this instead of making live-action remakes to their animated classics, but that’s not something we’ll get to now. That will come at a later time. Thumbs up all around Disney, keep making us love your 3D animated films.

Alright everyone, check in tomorrow for the next installment of “Disney’s Pixar Month,” where I will defend another movie which people called a clichéd Princess Story.