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Moana (2016)
Well, it's certainly no "Inside Out".
Moana tells a familiar tale of a princess setting out from her dull mundane life for the adventure of a lifetime that will ultimately let her "find herself" on this coming-of-age journey. Along the way, in the Disney tradition, she's accompanied by non-human sidekicks and a goofy comic relief that provide some laughs. If all of these sounds like a repetition of Disney's more successful money-earners in the past, then you've pretty much hit it right on the proverbial nail: it is indeed Disney rehashing an old story to earn its annual profit, but in the guise of a new makeover.
But hold up; it's not nearly as bad as it sounds. A familiar tale well-told can still be good, and Moana is indeed well-told. There's heart to the story, there are songs that are actually relevant to the plot rather than just fill up the screentime or retain the attention of those candy-fueled kids, and Disney is actually becoming self-aware of its cliches and mocking them. It's one of those action-packed adventure that will lift your spirits and provide the outmoded platitude of "believe in yourself" and "follow your dreams", and should keep your children entertained for its two-hour runtime.
If I'm to review it in a "movie calculator" sort of way, it's like "A New Hope" meets "Princess Mononoke" set across the oceans, mixed with a crossbreed heroine of Mulan and Pocahontas. There's a chosen one, there's an environmental message, and there's familial themes of "honor and responsibility to my people". It's a Disney movie. You should be able to easily expect what you'll be getting... unfortunately.
Sorry, folks. No "Zootopia" yet. Maybe in another decade or two.
Well, it's certainly no "Inside Out".
Moana tells a familiar tale of a princess setting out from her dull mundane life for the adventure of a lifetime that will ultimately let her "find herself" on this coming-of-age journey. Along the way, in the Disney tradition, she's accompanied by non-human sidekicks and a goofy comic relief that provide some laughs. If all of these sounds like a repetition of Disney's more successful money-earners in the past, then you've pretty much hit it right on the proverbial nail: it is indeed Disney rehashing an old story to earn its annual profit, but in the guise of a new makeover.
But hold up; it's not nearly as bad as it sounds. A familiar tale well-told can still be good, and Moana is indeed well-told. There's heart to the story, there are songs that are actually relevant to the plot rather than just fill up the screentime or retain the attention of those candy-fueled kids, and Disney is actually becoming self-aware of its cliches and mocking them. It's one of those action-packed adventure that will lift your spirits and provide the outmoded platitude of "believe in yourself" and "follow your dreams", and should keep your children entertained for its two-hour runtime.
If I'm to review it in a "movie calculator" sort of way, it's like "A New Hope" meets "Princess Mononoke" set across the oceans, mixed with a crossbreed heroine of Mulan and Pocahontas. There's a chosen one, there's an environmental message, and there's familial themes of "honor and responsibility to my people". It's a Disney movie. You should be able to easily expect what you'll be getting... unfortunately.
Sorry, folks. No "Zootopia" yet. Maybe in another decade or two.