Moana, the newest Disney movie to enter the franchise, has definitely made a splash in the last week that it hit theaters. I personally went to go see it over Thanksgiving Break with my mom, and it was everything I was hoping it would be and more.
Here are the 9 reasons why you should go watch Moana as soon as possible! You're welcome!
1. Strong independent female protagonist!
Gone are the times a woman needed a man to get things done. Moana doesn't even have a love interest! The movie is all about Moana discovering herself and her love of the ocean. The movie even pokes fun at princesses at how all you need is a dress and an animal sidekick, and you are golden. Moana is not a princess by any means, and strives to be the voyager she was destined to be.
2. And she's a waterbender...kinda
Katara 2.0? Moana and the water have a special relationship very early on, and that continues throughout the whole movie. It's so cool to see her interact with the water, as they become intertwined.
3. Family is an important part of the movie.
As with most Disney movies, family is a big force behind the movie. Moana has her parents, her village, and her wacky eccentric grandmother who all try to help her in different ways. While there is conflict and struggle, Moana depends on her family to help her succeed.
4. The Rock!
A Moana list would not be complete without one of the biggest stars of the movie. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays Maui in the film, a self-centered demigod who loves himself way too much. It isn't until Moana appears in his life where he starts to peel the layers and reevaluate what is most important.
5. Nature is its own character.
As previously stated, nature has a mind of its own, especially the water, but also the land and trees around them. Nature is the biggest obstacle in the movie, how to preserve it, how to protect it, and how to interact with it, and enforcing this in the movie is very beneficial so we can evaluate our interactions with nature in the future.
6. Amazing soundtrack.
Thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda's amazing work, Moana's songs get the richness that Hamilton has caused all over the globe. The songs range from catchy, to powerful, to silly, and there is not one misstep. Unlike most Disney movies where there is 1 big song and the others fail in comparison, each song really comes to the front table, and really drives the plot along.
7. A great Polynesian tale.
After some controversy with a Maui Halloween costume months ago, I was intrigued, yet hesitant, on how the movie was going to accurately incorporate the Polynesian culture that it is based in into the movie. And I was pleasantly surprised. The writers did a lot of research before crafting the movie, and it all worked out very well. It wasn't stereotypical, and it wasn't the main focus either. The culture was a nice backdrop that helped craft Moana's story to perfection.
8. The animal sidekicks
Every good Disney movie has some wacky and cute creatures to obsess over, and Moana is no exception. With a confused and naive chicken named Hei-Hei and an adorable pig named Pua, animal lovers galore with fall in love with these creatures at first sight.
9. Great theme of finding who you are.
The best part of any Disney movie is truly the overarching theme that continues throughout, and for Moana, it is finding yourself, your identity, and your purpose in this world. Moana originally struggles with this, as her father wants her to be one way while she wants to be another. Throughout her journey, she builds confidence and discovers why the ocean chose her to be the savior after all.
