Film Name: 海洋奇缘 / Moana
If not for its continuation of the Broadway musical style, if not for the long-promoted new Polynesian princess look, and even if not for the opening scenes featuring Disney’s castle and Mickey Mouse steering a steamboat, this “Moana” would struggle to deliver the authentic taste of classic Disney animation.
The overly heroic protagonist makes us see more of Marvel’s disaster-and-salvation narratives than Disney’s signature stories of human conflict and connection. If the Heartstone isn’t returned, the world will be plunged into catastrophe—a sense of impending doom that Disney has rarely placed its protagonists, especially female ones, within. Imposing such an apocalyptic crisis on viewers from the very start feels oddly jarring.
The “be yourself” theme isn’t inherently flawed, but having the protagonist repeatedly shout it feels somewhat didactic. This contrasts sharply with past Disney films, which conveyed this message organically through plot, character development, and emotional evolution. Did Simba need to be himself? Absolutely. But did he ever scream, “I must be myself!”? No. Do the two princess sisters in “Frozen” need to be themselves? Absolutely. Yet their innate bond and understanding rendered such words unnecessary. Rushing to deliver the central theme is like prematurely unwrapping a candy—it strips away all suspense and savoring. It just feels off.
The film’s choice of ancient setting, its portrayal of indigenous characters with a dark yet luminous quality, and its depiction of a female hero yearning to break conventions and escape confinement all bear a distinct resemblance to DreamWorks Animation’s “The Croods” from three years prior. Combined with its coincidental overlap with disaster and road movie tropes, “Moana” ultimately lacks significant originality beyond its depiction of the sea. This tenuous connection to primitive themes prevents the film from reaching the heights of The Lion King’s groundbreaking savannah vistas, Beauty and the Beast’s breathtaking castle interiors, or Frozen’s uniquely stunning ice landscapes. Its originality falls far short of Disney’s iconic masterpieces, a disappointment few anticipated.
One of the film’s most thrilling sequences involves the two adventurers facing a challenge from the Coconut Tribe at sea. This battle clearly showcases the creators’ concentrated imagination. Yet, despite its excitement, this very scene feels jarringly out of place within the film, failing to blend seamlessly with the rest of the narrative. The coconut tribe appears without any foreshadowing or groundwork. Their existence feels like an attempt at novelty that sacrifices plausibility within a world where humans already inhabit the planet. The two adventurers encounter no other challenges from tribes comparable to the coconut tribe, and the coconut tribe remains merely a passing presence in the film, never participating in the ultimate challenge… All these questions make this otherwise brilliant sequence feel forced into the film—a flavor rarely seen in previous Disney works.
The film also introduces a pair of adorable pets: a pig and a chicken. While superficially charming, upon closer inspection, their appeal stops at mere cuteness. Can they be compared to Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King? Or the sun-loving snowman from Frozen? The difference is like night and day. True companions and beloved characters need a touch of humanity to truly resonate. Beyond being amusing, what other personality traits does the chicken in this film possess? And don’t even get me started on the pig—it barely participates in the adventure, existing solely as a superfluous, cuteness-for-cuteness’s-sake prop. This lack of nuanced characterization robs the film of the essence that defines Disney animation.
Furthermore, this film features far more nighttime and dark-set scenes than most Disney productions. This excessive darkness creates undue tension, compounded by the film’s sparse humor, resulting in a lack of the lighthearted joy typically associated with Disney films.
That said, if you’re simply looking to admire ocean vistas and listen to beautiful songs, the film delivers. I particularly appreciate the unified design of Moana and the goddess. Doesn’t the goddess bear a striking resemblance to Moana? When Moana wears her floral crown, her pose mirrors the goddess adorned in blossoms. This isn’t mere coincidence—it signifies that by mastering your calling, you become the creator of your own destiny. The imagery of placing the conch shell, symbolizing the ocean and spirit of exploration, atop the stone pile of tribal chiefs, elevating it to new heights, is profoundly meaningful.
Please specify：Anime Phone Cases » Moana 2016 Animation Film Review: That weird Disney vibe