Moana (Live Action) - Trailer Reaction
"The ocean is calling a new generation."
Moana
A Walt Disney Pictures Production
Official Synopsis
A live-action reimagining of the 2016 animated classic, Moana follows a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, she meets the once-mighty demigod Maui, and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, as Moana discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity.
Cast & Crew
- Starring: Catherine Laga‘aia, Dwayne Johnson
- Director: Thomas Kail
- Writer: Jared Bush, Dana Ledoux Miller
The Ensemble
- John Tui: Chief Tui
- Frankie Adams: Sina
- Rena Owen: Gramma Tala
- Alan Tudyk: Heihei (Voice)
The Trailer
Trailer Reaction
Disney is diving deep back into the live-action remake pool, and while some might feel "remake fatigue," this trailer makes a compelling case for the transition. The production clearly knows not to reinvent the wheel here. We see the return of several favorite non-human characters, which will likely be the toughest part of adapting the story. We also get a glimpse of how the classic imagery from the original film translates to live action. This is low-hanging fruit for family audiences; based on the success of the recent Lilo & Stitch remake, we can expect a similar reception here.
What we are most looking forward to are the adaptations of the musical numbers. It is also great to see Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson reprising his role. I know I should feel jaded about a remake like this—considering it has been less than 10 years since the original was released—but I believe Moana will make a stronger transition to live action than many previous films. There are so many fun moments from the animated version that I’m excited to see play out in a real-world setting. Let’s hope the filmmakers are able to nail it.
The biggest challenges with these translations are often the elements added to make the film distinct from its animated predecessor. One of the strengths of the How to Train Your Dragon remake was how little they changed,a success likely due to using the same director from the original. However, this movie has a lot going for it: beyond Dwayne Johnson and a seemingly affable cast, we have the music of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is at the top of his game. The Polynesian culture and music add incredible texture to the story, giving Moana a lot to live up to. They seem to have a head start, and it looks good... so far.
The Final Verdict
FAMILY FUN
"A vibrant tribute to the islands."
This teaser captures the tone of the original movie. Although audiences may get a sense of Deja-Vu, Catherine Laga‘aia possesses the perfect spirit for Moana, and the updated visual effects look world-class.
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