3.5/5 stars
A chieftain’s daughter leaves her Polynesian island to lift a curse on her people in Moana, the latest live-action adaptation of a Disney animated feature. The original, released in 2016, was notable for its attention to cultural detail and for giving Dwayne Johnson a signature role as the shape-shifting, narcissistic demigod Maui.
Johnson returns in the new Moana, lacking some of his former exuberance and looking a bit more careworn. Maui is a complicated character whose motives can be opaque – even his intricate tattoos argue with him. His overwhelming ego once suited Johnson perfectly; now, it feels almost wistful.
Catherine Laga’aia plays Moana in her film debut. Though slightly stilted in her opening scenes, she grows into a warm, appealing screen presence who is more than a match for Maui. She has a strong singing voice and an eager quality that the filmmakers don’t always fully utilise.
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