MOANA (2016)

Summary:

Moana is an animated musical adventure film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, set in ancient Polynesia. It tells the story of Moana Waialiki, the strong-willed daughter of a Polynesian village chief, who is chosen by the ocean itself to restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. As a terrible blight threatens her island and its people, Moana embarks on a perilous journey across the vast Pacific, defying her father's wishes and the ancient prohibition against voyaging beyond the reef.

Her quest leads her to seek out Maui, a legendary demigod whose arrogant actions centuries ago caused the blight by stealing Te Fiti's heart. Together, the unlikely duo must overcome monstrous creatures and impossible odds, navigating treacherous waters and their own insecurities, to return the heart and save Moana's people. The film celebrates themes of self-discovery, cultural heritage, environmental responsibility, and the power of finding one's true calling.

Keywords: Moana, 2016, Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Adventure, Musical, Animated, Polynesia, Disney.

Plot:

The film opens with a vibrant oral tradition, as Moana's grandmother, Tala, recounts the ancient legend of Te Fiti, the island goddess who brought life to the world. Her heart, a powerful pounamu stone, was stolen by the demigod Maui, who sought to harness its power for humanity. However, upon stealing it, Maui was attacked by Te Kā, a demon of earth and fire, and lost both his magical fishhook and the heart to the depths of the ocean. Without her heart, Te Fiti began to crumble, and a spreading darkness started to consume the islands, slowly but inexorably. Tala emphasizes that one day, a hero will emerge to find Maui and compel him to return the heart, thus restoring balance to the world.

We are then introduced to Moana Waialiki as a toddler, already displaying an extraordinary connection to the ocean, which playfully interacts with her. She discovers the heart of Te Fiti, which the ocean presents to her, but her father, Chief Tui, quickly intervenes, leading her away from the shore and the dangers beyond the reef. As Moana grows, she is torn between her innate pull towards the ocean and her duties as the future chief of Motunui. Her father strictly forbids anyone from venturing beyond the protective reef, fearing the perils of the open sea and remembering a past tragedy. He grooms Moana for leadership, teaching her the importance of their island's traditions and the sustenance it provides. Despite her efforts to embrace her role, Moana feels an undeniable longing for the vast unknown, a sentiment encouraged by her eccentric grandmother, Tala, who shares her deep spiritual connection to the ocean and the ancient ways.

Years pass, and the blight that Tala spoke of begins to affect Motunui. The fish disappear from the lagoon, the coconuts rot, and the island's vibrant life starts to fade. Moana proposes seeking fish in the deeper waters beyond the reef, but Chief Tui vehemently rejects the idea. Distraught, Moana seeks solace with Tala, who reveals a secret cave hidden behind a waterfall. Inside, Moana discovers a fleet of ancient, majestic voyaging canoes, along with relics that prove their ancestors were master navigators and explorers, not just island dwellers. Tala explains that the blight is spreading because Maui stole the heart of Te Fiti, and the ocean chose Moana to find Maui and restore it. She gives Moana the heart, which she had secretly kept safe since Moana first encountered it as a child.

Tragically, Tala falls ill and, on her deathbed, encourages Moana to follow her heart and embrace her destiny. With Tala's passing, Moana is filled with renewed determination. She takes one of the ancient canoes, provisioned for a long voyage, and, guided by the benevolent ocean, sets sail beyond the reef, accompanied by her unwitting animal companions: the dim-witted rooster Heihei and the loyal pig Pua (who quickly turns back due to seasickness). Her journey is fraught with challenges, including a fierce storm that shipwrecks her on a deserted island. It is there she finally encounters Maui, a colossal, boastful demigod who initially tries to trick her and steal her canoe. Maui, initially dismissive of Moana and her quest, refuses to help, believing that returning the heart would be a fool's errand and that his glory is tied to his magical fishhook, which he still lacks.

Moana, however, is persistent and uses her wits to convince Maui that his legendary status is incomplete without his hook, which he needs to regain his shapeshifting powers. She appeals to his ego, suggesting that restoring the heart would bring him the adoration he craves. Their uneasy alliance is immediately tested when they are attacked by the Kakamora, a horde of diminutive, coconut-armored pirates who relentlessly pursue them, seeking the heart of Te Fiti. Moana's quick thinking and Maui's brute strength, even without his hook, allow them to escape, solidifying a fragile trust between them. Maui then agrees to help Moana retrieve his hook, which he believes is held by Tamatoa, a giant, greedy, jewel-encrusted coconut crab who resides in Lalotai, the Realm of Monsters.

In Lalotai, Moana devises a plan to distract Tamatoa while Maui attempts to retrieve his hook. The plan goes awry, and Maui struggles to regain control of his shapeshifting powers, which are rusty from disuse. Moana, however, manages to retrieve the hook by tricking Tamatoa. With his hook back, Maui slowly begins to regain his confidence and powers. He starts to teach Moana how to navigate and sail using the stars and currents, imparting ancient voyaging knowledge. During their journey, Maui reveals the deeper insecurity behind his bravado: he stole the heart to gain the love and admiration of humans, feeling unloved and abandoned by his mortal parents. Moana, in turn, shares her doubts and fears about her own abilities and the burden of her quest. Their bond strengthens as they face various perils and share their vulnerabilities.

Finally, they arrive at Te Fiti's island, but their path is blocked by Te Kā, the fiery demon. Maui, still hesitant and scarred by his previous encounter, initially tries to avoid direct confrontation. Moana, however, insists they must face it. In the ensuing battle, Maui courageously defends Moana, sacrificing his treasured fishhook to protect her from Te Kā's powerful blows. The hook is severely damaged, and Maui, heartbroken and defeated, abandons Moana, believing his powers and purpose are gone. Alone and despondent, Moana nearly gives up. It is then that the spirit of her grandmother Tala appears to her, reminding her of who she is and the strength she carries within. Tala encourages Moana to look inward, to remember her true identity, and to listen to the call of the ocean.

Reinvigorated, Moana returns to face Te Kā alone. As she approaches the fiery demon, she notices a spiral symbol on Te Kā's chest, identical to the one on Te Fiti's heart. A profound realization dawns upon her: Te Kā is not a separate entity, but Te Fiti herself, corrupted and enraged by the loss of her heart. Moana, understanding Te Kā's pain, calmly walks towards the demon, parting the ocean to reveal a path. She sings a heartfelt song, reassuring Te Kā that she sees her true self, not the monster she has become. As Moana places the heart back into Te Kā's chest, the fiery exterior recedes, revealing the lush, verdant form of Te Fiti. The goddess is restored, and her life-giving energy surges through the world, healing the blight and restoring the islands to their former glory.

Maui returns, having had a change of heart, and apologizes to Moana. Te Fiti, now restored, repairs Maui's hook and grants him a new tattoo as a mark of his heroic deeds. Moana bids farewell to Maui and Te Fiti, returning home to Motunui, where her people joyfully welcome her. She teaches them the ancient art of wayfinding, and together, they embark on new voyages, exploring the ocean and reconnecting with their voyaging heritage. Moana, now a wise and confident chief, guides her people across the open sea, fulfilling her destiny and leading them into a new era of exploration and prosperity, forever connected to the ocean and the legacy of her ancestors.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Auli'i Cravalho as Moana
• Dwayne Johnson as Maui
• Rachel House as Tala
• Temuera Morrison as Tui
• Nicole Scherzinger as Sina
• Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa
• Alan Tudyk as Heihei

Crew:

• Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
• Producers: Osnat Shurer
• Screenplay: Jared Bush
• Story: Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams, Don Hall, Pamela Ribon, Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell
• Music: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina, Opetaia Foa'i
• Executive Producer: John Lasseter
• Editor: Jeff Draheim

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: November 23, 2016
• Language: English
• Genre: Animated, Musical, Adventure, Fantasy
• Running Time: 107 minutes
• Accolades: Nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Animated Feature, Best Original Song "How Far I'll Go"); Nominated for two Golden Globe Awards (Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Song); Winner of the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature.