The reviews are in for the live-action adaptation of Disney’s Moana.
Catherine Laga’aia takes on the role of the titular character, while Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as demigod Maui.
Moana answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.
Who’s in the cast?
The cast also includes Rena Owen as Moana’s revered Gramma Tala; John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; and Frankie Adams as Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina.
Jemaine Clement reprises his voice role from the animated movies as the giant, glitz-obsessed crab Tamatoa.
Dwayne and original Moana voice star Auli’i Cravalho serve as executive producers.
The live-action Moana hits theaters on Friday (July 10), and the first reviews are in.
Here’s what the critics are saying…
What are the critics saying about the new Moana movie?
Overall, reviews have been mixed, with many critics praising the performances and visuals while questioning whether Disney’s latest live-action remake justifies its existence.
TheWrap says: “Moana is far from the worst Disney live-action remake, but it’s arguably the most redundant. I’m sure there are people who will enjoy paying extra, again, to watch a recent movie they already liked, again, but longer and not as good, again. If Disney insists on wasting the audience’s time, there are worse ways they could do it. Heck, they’ve already done worse. They’ll probably do worse again.”
Rolling Stone says; “The live-action Moana is simply spectacle that’s indistinguishable for any other generic spectacle out there — it’s peak Disney déjà vu.”
Collider gave it 5 out of 10, writing: “Moana ultimately fails to capture the magic of its animated counterpart. Everything it does well, the 2016 version already did better.”
The Guardian gives it 2 out of 5, writing: “An actual stage musical version would be a different proposition and that might give the musical numbers more of a platform. This feels like a superfluous piece of monetisable content.”
Polygon says: “For those familiar with the animated version, though, this is yet another case of a Disney live-action remake that feels entirely superfluous and reductive. It isn’t grossly offensive and misguided like some of these remakes, or ambitiously weird like others. It’s just… the same thing we already got, repeated and repackaged in a pricey, glossy form.”
Variety says: “Moana never makes live action more captivating than animation. On some level these movies will always be unnecessary. The remake of Moana can’t, and shouldn’t, replace the original. But it earns a place alongside it.”
THR says: “There’s been some online indignation — when isn’t there? — about it being too soon to remake a widely adored film from 2016. In principle, I would agree, but the new Moana is a captivating family entertainment that deserves to find an audience — brimming with visual interest, vibrant color, gorgeous design elements (the fine detailing in Liz McGregor’s costumes is exquisite) and alluring tropical settings.”
IndieWire gave it a C, writing: “The live-action Moana just further highlights that, for all the promise the original film’s ending had for further trials and tribulations for its characters, Disney doesn’t quite know what to actually do with this franchise, and how to expand meaningfully on its themes of duty, legacy, and wanderlust.”
ScreenRant says: ” If the animated movie didn’t already exist, this would be a triumph. Instead, it’s a fine recreation that I’ve made peace with by reminding myself that the works of William Shakespeare and Jane Austin have been adapted dozens, if not hundreds of times over. Moana deserves the same kind of treatment.”
IGN says: “Moana offers a visually pleasing live-action outing for the Polynesian heroine while being constricted by its faithfulness to the original storyline and camera beats…a technical feat but not nearly as iconic as the original.”
The Independent gave it 1 star, writing: “Moana’s a waste of everyone’s time and talent. Let this be a warning. And, for that – you’re welcome.”
Radio Times gave it 2 out of 5 stars, writing: “Unfortunately, Moana’s desperately unambitious approach is its undoing, it’s a tale of great courage told with creative cowardice, that’s so in thrall to the masterful, much too recent original it’s impossible to see it as anything other than a financially motivated facsimile.”
Nerdist gave it 3.5 out of 5, adding: “Like with How To Train Your Dragon remake, the live-action Moana is essentially a faithful cover of a classic song. It’s good for all the reasons the original song is good. But it’s not better because it’s not trying to be better. And because it’s not even trying to be different, it’s impossible for the live-action Moana to be great on its own. It both succeeds and doesn’t because it is, intentionally, an inferior version.”
Vulture says: “The live-action Moana, directed in his feature debut by theater vet Thomas Kail (of the stage versions of In the Heights and Hamilton), lays bare the actual motivations: to squeeze as much revenue as possible from the existing hits because the powers that be no longer have confidence in their ability to turn out new ones.”
Moana 3 is also in the works.
Posted To:Disney Moana Movies Reviews
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