Moana (A PopEntertainment.com Movie Review)

Moana

MOANA (2026)

Starring Catherine Laga'aia, Dwayne Johnson, Rena Owen, John Tui, Frankie Adams, Amaya Masoli, Emma Puahi-Shapazian, Arya Kasarla and the voice of Jemaine Clement.

Screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller.

Directed by Thomas Kail.

Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. 115 minutes. Rated PG.

In the rush to make a live-action remake of pretty much every classic animated film in its rich archives, Disney has finally hit the point where they are doing a live-action reboot of a film which is just a decade old in its original form.

Not only that, the animated sequel also just came out two years ago. Let’s face it, kids who grew up with the original Moana are still in high school, so they haven’t completely aged out of the cartoon. It’s not like you’re introducing this story to a whole new generation. So, who is this film for, really? And why should anyone watch it rather than just dial up Disney+ and rewatch the original?

However, Disney has been doing this live-action remake thing for a few decades now. Some of the reboots have even been fairly entertaining in their own right, although none of them have been as good as the animated films that inspired them.

Wait – I take that back. One of the remakes – of the long-forgotten 1970s movie Pete’s Dragon – was actually better than the original. However, that says more about the quality of the first movie than the fact that the new one was such a classic. And that was one of the rare occasions in which the new take pretty much ignored the original film’s plot, characters and musical numbers, only sharing its story concept in the very broadest of terms, as well as the film title.

But we’re here to talk about the new Moana, not Pete’s Dragon.

And yes, the new Moana is very well done, with atmospheric visuals, good special effects and well-performed versions of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s songs. In fact, he wrote a new song for the film called "Along the Way," which runs over the end credits. This is interesting because he declined to work on Moana 2.

That said, this film is a near carbon copy of the original. They repeat most of the original, scene-by-scene, line-by-line. They even brought back Dwayne Johnson to recreate the role of the demigod Maui. (And Jemaine Clement again voices the giant crab, Tamatoa.)

So, seeing the new Moana is kind of like watching a classic band play a favorite song, but there are only one or two original members left in the group. It still sounds good, but it’s just not the same thing you remember. You may grow to love the cover, but the original will always be special in your heart.

But what does the new Moana do right? Lots, really. Johnson slips into the heavily-tattooed skin of Maui with practiced charm and bluster. He’s obviously having a ball, living out the role which he had only voiced previously. The unknown Catherine Laga'aia is mostly charming – if a little bit limited dramatically – in taking over the title role. (She does have a beautiful singing voice.)

The CGI is mostly very impressive (although the CGI chicken Heihei slightly freaked me and my companion out at the screening). I thought a standby gag of the animated film – Maui’s tattoos moving as a plot device and moral compass – would not work on a human being’s skin, but they pulled it off.

The costume design and the Polynesian sets are all first‑class and culturally appropriate to the area. And the sea scenes – because quite a few parts take place out in the middle of the vast ocean – are stunning, azure blue.

Some of the dance sequences – like for example Maui’s showcase song “You’re Welcome” – were done with renewed energy and craft, although interestingly, many of the new additions in that specific scene were done through animation, again pulling against the argument for a live-action film in the first place.

The pacing of the live‑action film is significantly faster – a mixed blessing. While it was exciting, it could be overwhelming. None of the lines or the laughs even had a moment to breathe before it was on to the next thing. And the emotional early scene where Moana’s grandmother died felt a bit rushed – you didn’t have time to reflect on it before the next adventure was afoot. It was almost like the filmmakers were worried that people would be watching it with their hands on a remote and if the story ever slowed, they’d turn the channel. The original had a rhythm: jokes landed, emotional beats settled, songs breathed. This one feels like it’s sprinting through a checklist.

Yet, despite those reservations, there is genuine pleasure to be found here for anyone willing to meet the film on its own terms. The cast is committed, the visuals are striking, and the songs still work. It just never quite escapes the shadow of what came before.

The live-action Moana is mostly a lot of fun – and if we were not already so familiar with the animated original, it might even feel essential. As it stands, it's a well-made film in search of a reason to exist.

Jay S. Jacobs

Copyright ©2026 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: July 10, 2026.