Moana: Movie Review
Prof. Scarlet Leslie-Lewis
January 2017
Since we were already out one morning to ensure we had a car to use later that day, Cody and I decided on a whim to go see Moana. Both of us may have napped at different points during the movie, but not because Moana wasn't enjoyable. Though this soundtrack isn't a bad one to fall asleep to, we definitely plan to watch it again when we're more awake!
As a child, Moana Waialiki is drawn to the ocean and is selected to receive the heart of the mystical goddess Te Fiti. Growing up on the Polynesian island of Motunui, Moana is told that the island provides everything the villagers need. By the time Moana turns sixteen, that no longer appears to be the case. Fish are scarce and the coconuts on the island are inedible. Moana insists that there must be more fish in the ocean, but her father, Chief Tui, reminds her that sailing beyond the reef is forbidden.
Gramma Tala provides Moana with evidence that their ancestors were seafarers. She returns the heart of Te Fiti to her granddaughter, explaining that Moana was chosen by the ocean to restore this heart that was stolen by the demigod Maui centuries ago. Ignoring her father, Moana sets off on the journey of her life to find Maui and force him to correct his error, hopefully saving her people and her island in the process.
Moana may simply be the newest Disney princess in a coming of age story, but she is delightful. Determined and resourceful, she learns the art of wayfinding through trial and error. She has the spunk to go toe-to-toe with a demigod and her only love is her island. Like every Disney princess, Moana has an animal sidekick, though hers is a bit unconventional, joining her by accidentally stowing away on her boat.
The male counterpart to Moana is the boisterous Maui, appropriately voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who has provided humans with gifts for thousands of years. Maui is capable of shape-shifting, but only if he has his fishhook. Moana and Maui must venture to Lalotai, the Realm of Monsters, to retrieve the hook from Tamatoa, a giant coconut crab who likes all things shiny. I love the symbolism of Maui's tattoos. All of his adventures are physically represented on his skin, reminding us our past actions are always a part of us.
As you may expect in a cross-ocean adventure, a lot of time is spent traveling. When you travel, you sing to pass the time! Before Hamilton became a smash hit on Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda was asked to join Opetaia Foa'i and Mark Mancina to write the music for Moana. They were impressed with the way Miranda was able to transition from language to language in his other musical, In the Heights. The Moana soundtrack meshes English with the Tokelauan language. The songs range from fun and upbeat to calming like the ocean. It is possible to detect Miranda's influence in some of the Hamilton-esque harmonies.
What better way is there for a young woman to discover herself, but through a voyage to restore the balance of the ocean? Moana teaches us that sometimes it is necessary to take risks to save the things that are most important to you. Even though it might take you far from home, you have the knowledge to navigate your way back.
Since we were already out one morning to ensure we had a car to use later that day, Cody and I decided on a whim to go see Moana. Both of us may have napped at different points during the movie, but not because Moana wasn't enjoyable. Though this soundtrack isn't a bad one to fall asleep to, we definitely plan to watch it again when we're more awake!
As a child, Moana Waialiki is drawn to the ocean and is selected to receive the heart of the mystical goddess Te Fiti. Growing up on the Polynesian island of Motunui, Moana is told that the island provides everything the villagers need. By the time Moana turns sixteen, that no longer appears to be the case. Fish are scarce and the coconuts on the island are inedible. Moana insists that there must be more fish in the ocean, but her father, Chief Tui, reminds her that sailing beyond the reef is forbidden.
Gramma Tala provides Moana with evidence that their ancestors were seafarers. She returns the heart of Te Fiti to her granddaughter, explaining that Moana was chosen by the ocean to restore this heart that was stolen by the demigod Maui centuries ago. Ignoring her father, Moana sets off on the journey of her life to find Maui and force him to correct his error, hopefully saving her people and her island in the process.
Moana may simply be the newest Disney princess in a coming of age story, but she is delightful. Determined and resourceful, she learns the art of wayfinding through trial and error. She has the spunk to go toe-to-toe with a demigod and her only love is her island. Like every Disney princess, Moana has an animal sidekick, though hers is a bit unconventional, joining her by accidentally stowing away on her boat.
The male counterpart to Moana is the boisterous Maui, appropriately voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who has provided humans with gifts for thousands of years. Maui is capable of shape-shifting, but only if he has his fishhook. Moana and Maui must venture to Lalotai, the Realm of Monsters, to retrieve the hook from Tamatoa, a giant coconut crab who likes all things shiny. I love the symbolism of Maui's tattoos. All of his adventures are physically represented on his skin, reminding us our past actions are always a part of us.
As you may expect in a cross-ocean adventure, a lot of time is spent traveling. When you travel, you sing to pass the time! Before Hamilton became a smash hit on Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda was asked to join Opetaia Foa'i and Mark Mancina to write the music for Moana. They were impressed with the way Miranda was able to transition from language to language in his other musical, In the Heights. The Moana soundtrack meshes English with the Tokelauan language. The songs range from fun and upbeat to calming like the ocean. It is possible to detect Miranda's influence in some of the Hamilton-esque harmonies.
What better way is there for a young woman to discover herself, but through a voyage to restore the balance of the ocean? Moana teaches us that sometimes it is necessary to take risks to save the things that are most important to you. Even though it might take you far from home, you have the knowledge to navigate your way back.