Netflix Summary:
Her father says it’s too risky, but nothing can stop this courageous girl from sailing beyond the island’s shores.
FYA Summary:
Moana belongs to a tribe of people who never leave their island, because they’ve never needed to. But when the crops start dying, the people begin to worry. As the daughter of the tribe’s chieftain, Moana’s told to put on a brave face, but she decides to actually be brave, instead, and leave the island in search of the demigod Maui, whose escapades might be the cause of the tribe’s problems.
Familiar Faces Voices:
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Maui
I love The Rock. Although I’ve never met him, he’s one of my most favorite people in the world, and I was super excited that he took a role in a Disney film. I like to think he’s a bit more humble than Maui, but the whole demigod thing is spot-on.
Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa
I can’t imagine anyone other than Jemaine being able to pull off such an over-the-top character, and I will never not enjoy listening to him sing in his typical hammy fashion.
Alan Tudyk as Heihei
When I first watched this movie in the theater, I had no idea that Heihei’s squawking had an actual person behind it. I wasn’t surprised to learn that it was Alan, however, considering his varied filmography and amazing ability to voice characters who sound nearly nothing alike.
Couch-Sharing Capability: We Know the Way
Round up your friends and loved ones, fam, and scooch over to make as much room on the couch as possible. Moana is a movie that you need to be sharing with anyone who hasn’t already seen it, and again with those who have.
And then you can listen to the soundtrack on repeat for the rest of the evening’s festivities. (It’s nice to know that Lin-Manuel Miranda isn’t a one-hit-wonder.)
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Know Who You Are
A Moana viewing party likely includes people of all ages, so you might want to keep the spirits to a minimum. But for those of age, there’s no better time to bust out the tiki glasses, tiny umbrellas, and fruity tropical drinks.
Use of Your Subscription: Shiny
I’m a big fan of the classic Disney animated movies with their princesses and awkwardly attractive princes, but I have to applaud the company for recognizing that ladies don’t need a man to save them, and that stories starring young women can be about a lot of other things than finding love. Moana is the best example of that to date, and is an important movie to share with the young people in your life, regardless of what gender they associate with.
