#moanala

This isn't going to be long, because I'm feeling pretty crappy from my chronic health issues, but I want to share a few of my favorite things from the new live action Moana:

The first has to be the cultural representation. They truly went above and beyond in making sure every single detail is culturally authentic. If you're interested in this, I highly recommend checking out some of the promo interviews - not only was Dana Ledoux Miller involved in writing the screenplay, but many members of the Cultural Trust, like Tiana Nonosina Liufau, also worked on this film. Here is one good article about it.

Stemming from that, while there are no new big plot points, we do have several new scenes and new dialogue with Moana's parents and the villagers of Motonui at the beginning and end of the film, and we also get a brief scene with Moana's parents while she's gone. They all get fleshed out into more nuanced supporting characters.

Maui. I know it's weird seeing The Rock with hair, but I loved the character choices made for this version of Maui. I've never really connected with him in the OG film because, to me, he feels like a 19 year old comic relief character instead of a 3000 year old demigod. He's still funny, cocky, and charismatic; but he's allowed to be genuinely frustrated with Moana in this version, and his passive-aggressive jabs at her are allowed to sting. It made his backstory, for me, hit even harder - because I could genuinely believe this is a guy who's been around for 3000 years.

Moana. Where can I even start? Catherine Lagaʻaia is phenomenal in this. Like Halle Bailey's Ariel and Lily James' Ella, Catherine doesn't just play Moana - she embodies her. Both her singing and her acting are off the charts. I could go on about her forever, but the character choice I liked the most was the extra emphasis on Moana's intelligence. Moana frequently gets treated by people as being just an Action Girl - and her athletic feats are great! - but it's her combination of heart and intelligence that makes her a hero. Also, while she was strong-willed and brave, this Moana is allowed to have brief moments of fear (like before fighting the Kakamora). This makes her bravery and success even more impactful, because she isn't being 'a reckless teenager'. She knows the risks and she takes action anyway.

The new end credits song. Hearing Auli'i and Catherine sing together brought tears to my eyes!

There are a few Moana 2 easter eggs! For example, we see a little more of Tautai Vasa than in the OG, and his name is said (which it isn't in the OG film).

The progression from ultra-realism to fantasy film. "You're Welcome" is the sequence that needs to make this transition work, and they did it really well.

More Pua! He's always been my favorite.