24. June 2017
Moana Review
Moana is the heroine we’ve been waiting for. She’s a girl who dreams, a girl who loves her family and her island. But most of all, her heart lies with the sea. As an islander, she is surrounded by the ocean her whole life yet she is forbidden to explore it.
Her fascination shows even as a baby, when the ocean gives her the heart of Te Fiti. She is chosen to save her island, and many other islands, by finding Maui and helping him return the heart of Te Fiti to its rightful owner. However, her parents urge her to follow their example. She is to stay on her island, safe and dry, and become the next chief.
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But her awesome grandma knows Moana better than anyone and ultimately, gives her the push she needs to start her adventure.
Moana finds Maui, dives into the monster realm, and gets a crash course in sailing. She pushes and pulls and drags that demi god across the ocean. She knows it’s the task of the century, she knows she’s inexperienced, but she also knows how her people will suffer if she fails. She loves her family and her home, and while she’s her truest self at sea, everything she does is for the sake of her family and stopping the sickness spreading.
Moana is amazing. Yes, she has doubts. She tries her parent’s way, she wants so badly to be who they want her to be. But she knows she’s not that person. She takes a risk and takes a boat out to an ocean despite not knowing how to sail. She trusts the ocean to help her and it does. She’s humble enough to know she may not have the most knowledge, but she trusts her heart and that’s what saves her.
Also, her agile rope swinging skills.
Moana has a lot of courage and a lot of heart. She saves Te Fiti, her people, and her island. She restores her people’s purpose, voyaging, and restores Maui’s honor. All while singing beautifully and showing off the gloriousness of Polynesian hair.
Auli’i, you sing like a true Disney princess.
