Cast overview: | |||
Auli'i Cravalho | ... |
Moana
(voice)
|
|
Dwayne Johnson | ... |
Maui
(voice)
|
|
Rachel House | ... |
Gramma Tala
(voice)
|
|
Temuera Morrison | ... |
Chief Tui
(voice)
|
|
Jemaine Clement | ... |
Tamatoa
(voice)
|
|
Nicole Scherzinger | ... |
Sina
(voice)
|
|
Alan Tudyk | ... |
Heihei /
Villager #3
(voice)
|
|
Oscar Kightley | ... |
Fisherman
(voice)
|
|
|
Troy Polamalu | ... |
Villager #1
(voice)
|
|
Puanani Cravalho | ... |
Villager #2
(voice)
|
|
Louise Bush | ... |
Toddler Moana
(voice)
|
Moana Waialiki is a sea voyaging enthusiast and the only daughter of a chief in a long line of navigators. When her island's fisherman can't catch any fish and the crops fail, she learns that the demigod Maui caused the blight by stealing the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. The only way to heal the island is to persuade Maui to return Te Fiti's heart, so Moana sets off on an epic journey across the Pacific. The film is based on stories from Polynesian mythology. Written by Anonumous
This was a charity screening in Sydney, Australia. The Audience was 80% Polynesian, (Australia has a large population of Pacific Islanders and Moari) 10% Asian, as in Chinese and 10% Aussie. I am getting dementia, I have a dozen Hilo Hattie dresses and same Tahitian Pareu and wore a T shirt dress, after noticing all Frangipani (Plumeria) were coming into flower, didn't pick one much less make a lei. I have been looking forward to this film for a year, it was top of my wanna see list. I was disappointed. This is a nice film with good songs, too many in-jokes, and a formulistic storyline. A little thought could have made it one of the great Disney films. Missed Opportunity #1. The short film prior, about the human body was crxx. A total waste of time, and irrelevant to the theme. Pity they couldn't play 'Lava' from Pixar. Missed opportunity #2. A short documentary on the real life Hokulea of the Polynesian voyaging society, a double hull Polynesian ship sailing around the world as we speak, would have been ideal. MO#3 The chance to make Polynesian myths as valid as Greek myths, which they greatly resemble with capricious Gods and unreliable demi-Gods. Oh, I forgot, Hollywood made 'Troy' without Gods, and without reading the Iliad. Sigh. MO#4 The very real art of Herb Kane, whose images that could so easily had been used in the film to lend greater realism and authenticity. MO#5 over the opening or closing titles, instead of shells and flowers, how about an animated map of the great triangle of Polynesia, showing just how far the wayfinders went... AND: Where was Pele? The greatest female God in the pantheon of the Gods, all Gods. A kickass female God if ever there was one. The songs and the singing were great. But the film as a whole was lacking vibe and any sign of originality. Gods forbid! All hail Pele.