There are many movies from Disney that has become much more than just movies, they've become memories. I can remember vibing and singing to Moana back when it was released in 2016. Just thinking about it makes me nostalgic. It was a story about bravery, family, believing in yourself, and finding your own path. It introduced us to one of Disney's most fearless heroines, gave us unforgettable songs, and reminded everyone that being a hero doesn't mean having superpowers. Because of that, the original Moana earned millions of fans around the world. Kids loved the adventure. Parents loved the message. Even people who usually don't watch animated films found themselves smiling every time they heard "How Far I'll Go." Now the live action is out. If you've seen the animated movie, you'll recognise the movie immediately. Moana is a brave young girl chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti, a magical island goddess whose missing heart has caused darkness to spread across the world. To save her people, she leaves her island and sails across the ocean in search of the legendary demigod Maui. Yeah that's quite just it. The love action tells the same story but with real actors, large sets with good visual effects. But people didn't quite like it. The heart of the whole story hasn't changed but the way it was presented has and that's why some fans didn't like the movie.

I give thumbs up to Disney because to me the casting was perfect. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui and to be honest it would have been weird seeing someone else play him. Taking on the role of Moana is Catherine Lagaʻaia. This is kind of a huge role for her because when you're playing a character already beloved by millions of fans, there is always some kind of unavoidable comparisons. The supporting cast also brings Polynesian culture and traditions to life, helping the film stay connected to the world that inspired the original story.

I don't think most people are saying the movie is terrible. Instead, many are saying something much harder to explain. They say stuffs like "It just doesn't feel the same." That's a different level of criticism though. The visuals are impressive, the ocean still looks beautiful, the costumes are detailed, the islands feel alive, yet many fans walked away feeling that the movie somehow lost the warmth and charm that made the animated version unforgettable. I understand that feeling. Animation allows characters to express emotions in ways that live-action simply can't. When they're translated into live-action, some of that playful energy becomes more restrained.

When a movie like Moana is released, expectations are enormous. The original animated film became one of Disney's biggest modern hits. It earned hundreds of millions of dollars in cinemas, became one of the most streamed movies in the world, and introduced songs that children still sing today. Because of that, many people expected the live-action version to become another unstoppable success. It certainly attracted attention, and plenty of families wanted to see it during its opening days. But the excitement didn't grow in the way many expected. The opening wasn't the kind of explosive event people usually associate with a Disney remake of such a beloved film. From my point of view, that says something important. People aren't automatically buying tickets just because a movie has the Disney logo anymore. Audiences want a reason to leave home, spend money, and experience something that feels special.

The movie is actually amazing though. I mean the visuals are good, the ocean feels breathtaking even the islands feel authentic. But Disney should also know when it's time to limit the constant making of live-action movies. Instead of them looking back and try to recreate their previous successes, they can look ahead and see how they can create something good for the future generation. I mean they have a whole creative team that can run that. Isn't that how we got good movies like Encanto, Frozen, and Zootopia? After watching the live-action, I immediately went to check out the animated movie again. Not because the remake failed completely, but because it reminded me why I fell in love with the story in the first place.

MOANA (2026) IS NOW PLAYING ONLY IN THEATRES.