Review: 'Moana' has the funniest and the worst Disney characters ever
Secret ending? Yes.
Running time: 113 minutes (~2 hours)
“Moana” is an animated comedy adventure musical based on Polynesian mythology.
The headstrong daughter of a chieftain sets out on a quest to save her island and the mortal realm by enlisting a demigod’s help, and discovers that there is more to the world than her island.
It features the voice talents of Auli’i Cravalho (Moana), Dwayne Johnson (Maui), Rachel House (Gramma Tala), Temuera Morrison (Chief Tui Waialiki), Nicole Scherzinger (Sina Waialiki), Jemaine Clement (Tamatoa), and Alan Tudyk (Heihei). It is rated PG.
“Moana” may seem like an attempt by Disney to be as politically correct and inclusive as possible, but don’t let that prevent you from giving it a chance. It’s an encouraging and hopeful tale of taking the path less travelled, with a heroine that triumphs because of her character, rather than super powers. Of course, she gets some supernatural help, but it wouldn’t be a true Disney movie without some magic.
Highlights
Heihei is hilarious
Even the director calls Heihei “the dumbest character in the history of Disney animation” — there’s no mistaking his absolute lack of intelligence. His perpetual confusion is strategically played for laughs, especially when it comes to the frustration of other characters. It’s easy to go overboard with such characters, yet “Moana” never descends into slapstick with Heihei. Heihei is the dumbest and funniest Disney character to have been created in a long time.
Beautiful lighting and water effects
When the ocean itself is a character, you know that the animators have paid close attention to the water effects in the film, rendering it both lifelike and lovely to behold. “Moana” is mostly set on beaches and oceans, and the way the sunlight plays on the characters as they sail through the oceans is truly evocative of sand and sea, while being exquisite in how it highlights the characters’ faces. Light and water combine to make this one of the more vivid Disney settings to date.
Themes of identity and belonging
I have no qualms in admitting that I like Disney songs, and the theme song is one that grows on you throughout the film, with my viewing partner even humming “How Far I’ll Go” post-movie. And no wonder — the themes of the film, that of identity and belonging, is particularly relevant given the state of the world today. It’s not a foolhardy “follow your heart” message either, since the story emphasises the Moana must be ready and have the proper tools before she can go in search of what she wants.
Letdowns
Maui is one of Disney’s worst characters
If Heihei is the funniest Disney character, then Maui is undoubtedly the worst. Character-wise, he’s obnoxious, self-centred, and fickle-minded, with no redeeming qualities. He leaves and comes back with such astounding speed that it adds an unintentionally humorous tone in what should impactful, emotional scenes. Then we have his character design. His beady eyes, cocksure smile, and arched eyebrows make up one of the ugliest Disney characters to grace the silver screen. What exactly were the creators thinking when they thought of Maui?
Plot holes galore
The ocean is a horribly lazy deus ex machina that the writers use when they write themselves into unsolvable holes. Unfortunately, the entire movie takes place in the ocean, which makes you wonder why the ocean didn’t just solve its own problems if it’s capable of *spoiler*? Plot-wise, there are so many inconsistencies. Maui mentions other gods — so what are they doing as the world goes to ruin? How did the primary antagonist get his name, given his origins? Why does Chief Tui not use the incredibly sturdy seafaring craft that he clearly knows about instead of a flimsy raft in his backstory? It hurts if you think too much about it.
“Moana” will be remembered for its great and terrible characters.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? If you like Disney films.
Score: 3.5/5
“Moana” opens in cinemas:
– 24 November, 2016 (Singapore)
– 1 December, 2016 (Malaysia)
– 30 November, 2016 (Philippines)
Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He's also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes at marcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.
