Naturally, like many other Disney-loving college students, I went to see Moana over Thanksgiving break. I'm always a sucker for a good Disney movie, which is pretty much all of them, and I've been looking forward to this one for quite some time. Especially after I learned that Lin-Manuel Miranda (the genius who brought us the hit Broadway musicalHamilton) had collaborated to write the music. Disney, Lin, and a Polynesian theme - what could go wrong?

So, I walked into the theater with my sisters and friend with the highest of hopes. The movie did not disappoint. Don't worry, I won't spoil it. Though, being a Disney movie, you can just about assume it has a happy ending. Right from the beginning, when all you see is the Disney logo, you hear the music and immediately you're on a nice, sunny island somewhere in the Pacific ocean. After the trademark ominous prologue, you're left with the scene that sets the stage for the protagonist's home. For any Pocahontas fans out there, you'll definitely see some similarities in terms of the film showing all the jobs that people have in a village. Told, of course, in song form. And, for those of you who make fun of Disney and say that the movies are the same (they're not), there are some lines that poke fun at Disney princesses so you'll probably appreciate those.

Though I don't anticipate any of the songs becoming as big as "Let it Go" the music in Moana will leave you smiling, dancing, and subsequently wishing you could dance as well as the characters on screen. Instead of a film packed with many different songs, Moana opted to go with a handful of songs that have small repeats throughout the film. The recurring melodies and words provide a familiar feeling and you find yourself humming along or moving to the beat in your seat. The songs themselves are upbeat, featuring a lot of percussion and lyrics that promote a sense of belonging and finding who you are.

The theme of the songs can be translated to the overall themes of the film. From the previews, one can gather that Moana takes place on and among various islands and that Moana goes on an adventure of some sort with Maui, a demigod. After seeing the film, I can say that I believe it to be a movie about being yourself and finding the path that was made for you. I love that it conveys the idea that everyone has a purpose and sometimes it takes a lot of courage to do what you know is right. In a world where a lot of people seem to give up if something seems too difficult, it's important to see someone persevere and stand up for what they believe in.

All in all, go see Moana if you get the chance. You won't regret it.