Disney’s latest remake gets closer than ever to cracking the code, but Moana may have sailed into theatres a little too soon.
Disney has been on a mission to bring its animated classics — and even some newer favourites — into the live-action world. The problem is that many of these remakes have struggled to capture the magic of the originals. Some have been visually impressive but emotionally empty, while others have simply failed to leave much of an impact. However, the live-action version of Moana might just be the film that changes that conversation.
Releasing worldwide this weekend, Moana stars Catherine Lagaʻaia in the titular role, with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui. The film is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s beloved 2016 animated classic, which was praised for its story, music, and especially its representation of Polynesian-inspired culture.
The original Moana only came out 10 years ago. Usually, Disney’s live-action remakes revisit films that have had decades to become cultural classics. A remake of something like The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast makes sense because those films had time to become part of multiple generations’ childhoods. With Moana, that nostalgia factor is much weaker.
Ten years is not a very long time, especially when the original is still easily available, still loved, and still feels relatively modern. The remake feels like it arrived before audiences had enough distance from the animated version. Waiting another decade might have given the live-action version more purpose and allowed it to feel like a true reintroduction rather than a retelling.
Moana proves that a strong story can still work in a different format. One of the biggest strengths of Moana has always been how it celebrates Pacific Island culture. The story blends Polynesian societies, including Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Hawaii, and Māori culture. It draws inspiration from real traditions such as ocean navigation, respect for ancestors and nature, village life, tattoos, dances, clothing, music, and mythology.
The character of Maui itself comes from Polynesian traditions, although Disney adapted and changed elements of his stories for the movie. The filmmakers also worked with Pacific Island cultural advisors to help keep the representation respectful and authentic. Of course, Moana is still a fantasy film rather than a documentary, so it combines many cultural elements into one fictional world.
And that cultural connection feels even more natural in this live-action version because the casting continues that sense of representation. Catherine Lagaʻaia, who plays Moana, has Samoan heritage, with family roots connected to Samoa. She has spoken about the honour of representing Samoa and Pacific Island communities through the role. Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson also has Samoan heritage through his mother, making his return as Maui feel personally connected to the character rather than just a case of bringing back a familiar voice.
Director Thomas Kail has a difficult task. He is not only adapting an animated film but also trying to make a fantasy world feel believable in live action. The biggest challenge with Moana was always going to be the ocean, and thankfully, the film handles that better than many other Disney remakes.
Compared to something like a live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, this feels much more visually satisfying. Yes, some of the water effects and movements still look unnatural — that is almost unavoidable when creating a magical ocean companion and giant fantasy environments — but you walk into the cinema expecting that. The CGI works better here because it feels like it is enhancing the world rather than fighting against it.
The colours are a highlight. The bright blues and turquoise of the ocean, the island landscapes, and the mixture of realistic visuals with animated-inspired details make the movie look beautiful on the big screen. Maui’s tattoos, for example, keep that connection to the original animation while fitting naturally into a live-action setting. The film understands that it does not need to completely remove the cartoon elements.
The performances are where things get interesting. Catherine Lagaʻaia brings a fresh energy to Moana. She does not simply copy Auliʻi Cravalho, who helped define the character in the original film. Instead, she makes the role her own while keeping the determination and warmth that made audiences love Moana in the first place.
Then there is Dwayne Johnson as Maui. As someone who has always enjoyed seeing The Rock on screen — both as an actor and a wrestler — it is great to see him return to a role that fits his personality so well. Maui’s confidence, humour, and larger-than-life attitude match Dwayne Johnson’s natural charisma, and the fact that he originally voiced the character makes the transition feel very comfortable.
However, there is one thing that does take some getting used to — or never really: the wig. Seeing a usually bald and charming Dwayne Johnson with Maui’s long hair feels a little unnatural and occasionally takes you out of the moment.
After years of Disney live-action remakes feeling like attempts to recreate nostalgia rather than create something meaningful, Moana feels like a step in the right direction. It respects what made the animated film special while adding enough new energy to make it worth experiencing again. The performances are enjoyable, the visuals are impressive, the cultural elements are handled with care, and the original story remains intact.
Is it better than the original? That will depend on how much you love the 2016 classic. But as far as Disney’s live-action remakes go, Moana makes a strong splash. However, this particular voyage may have left the harbour a little early. With more time, the remake could have felt even more special, and Dwayne Johnson’s return as Maui could have carried the kind of experience and gravitas that only comes with age.
Verdict: 9/10