I Have A Confession: I Don’t Really Like The Moana Movies, But She’s Still One Of My Favorite Disney Characters

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As someone who grew up with a steady diet of Disney movies, I must confess that my feelings towards Moana are a bit of a paradox. On one hand, I absolutely adore the character Moana herself – her courage, resilience, and sense of humor make her one of the most inspiring figures in Disney’s vast pantheon. Auli‘i Cravalho’s vocal performance is nothing short of extraordinary, and the songs she sings are truly magical.

I’ve longed to truly appreciate Moana for years, particularly admiring the title character. Yet, despite my efforts, it never quite resonated with me. However, upon the announcement of Moana 2 in the 2024 movie lineup and watching it in theaters, I reluctantly admitted: though Moana ranks among my favorite Disney characters, I’m not a fan of the movies themselves.

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Riley, how can you like a character but not the movie named after her?” Well, that answer is complex, and to explain my reasoning behind this admittedly confusing take, I have to tell this story chronologically.

Ready to dive into the story? Here’s a breakdown of my intricate connection to Moana and her films.

I Was Introduced To Moana Through The Music First

In 2016, when the film Moana was released, I was a senior in high school and had an intense fascination with the musical Hamilton. Consequently, my friends and I were drawn to this Disney movie due to our admiration for Lin-Manuel Miranda, who composed its music.

In those days, a movie theater was not easily within my reach, and I visited only a handful of times a year. As a result, I missed seeing Moana in the cinema. Yet, I could enjoy the soundtrack, and I became deeply fond of songs such as “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome.

The track turned into a staple on my playlist, with “How Far I’ll Go” being a particular favorite. As someone on the verge of departing from my hometown for college, the lyrics about venturing out and discovering something new resonated deeply. To this day, I believe it remains one of the best Disney princess songs ever composed.

Whenever “You’re Welcome” plays, I crank up the volume and enthusiastically belt out the lyrics, particularly the rap parts.

As a gaming enthusiast, I found myself resonating deeply with Moana, even before watching the movie, all thanks to the enchanting melodies that stirred something within me, echoing her unyielding spirit and aspirations.

Moana Was Way Too Overhyped, And I Saw It Way Too Late

Finally, after months and months of listening to the music from Moana, I saw the movie.

It’s worth mentioning that, in my memory, a large number of people considered it one of the top Disney movies of its time and even among the greatest Disney films ever made. For several months, this widely shared view was something I lived with.

Initially, I held myself to a considerable standard, given my deep affection for the film’s soundtrack and the enthusiasm surrounding the movie. However, upon watching it…

Reflecting back, I must admit that I felt somewhat disappointed by my experience watching Moana. In retrospect, I believe I had set my expectations too high due to excessive hype surrounding the film. Consequently, it seems that the movie, in part, was not at fault; my anticipation may have been misplaced as well.

Consequently, it’s understandable that people cherish “Moana”. Yet, when one enters a movie expecting it to be exceptional, only to find it merely satisfactory, it becomes challenging to truly appreciate it.

I’ve Come To The Conclusion That The Story Is Too Clunky

Each time I’ve seen the movie Moana, approximately three times (as far as I can recall), my main criticism revolves around the story being too fragmented. It seems more like a series of smaller quests crammed together into one larger objective, leaving little room for me to develop a deeper connection with the characters or their situations.

Read TopMob’s Review Of Moana 2

Moana 2 Review: Disney’s Sequel Is Thrilling But Failed To Reach The Quality Of The Original

In reviews for Moana 2, it’s frequently noted that the film feels more like a television series, given its initial conception as such. This sentiment has resonated with me since my perspective on the original Moana was similar.

In simpler terms, the movie Moana had an overabundance of elements such as exploring Moana’s homeland, meeting Maui, encounters with the coconut warriors, and battles against the glittering crab. While I was able to follow the story without issue, the sheer amount of content in the film left me feeling overwhelmed. This is also my sentiment regarding its sequel.

I Also Only Care About Moana, I Wasn’t Really Here For Maui And The Other Characters

The above point is emphasized by the fact that the only character I’m drawn to, especially in the first movie, is Moana.

To be completely honest, Maui doesn’t appeal much to me. He has his humorous moments, but his arrogant demi-god personality quickly became tiresome. Even in the second movie, it seems he didn’t grow out of this character trait. Although he appears to be more aware of others, he still maintains an air of self-importance, which I find less enjoyable.

Furthermore, although Moana’s family is charmingly depicted, they aren’t deeply explored in the story. Additionally, while I enjoy the characters of Pua and Hei Hei, their roles primarily serve as comic relief rather than being central figures.

So, outside of our leading lady, I have a very hard time connecting with anyone else.

However, Despite My Dislike Of The Movies, I See Their Value And Adore The Character Moana

Currently, despite harboring some doubts about the Moana films, I’m utterly smitten with the character Moana. I believe Auliʻi Cravalho delivers an exceptional vocal performance, her songs are captivating, and she stands as one of the most inspiring Disney characters, empowering audiences everywhere.

The courageous chase of her dream leaves me in awe (and it’s something I’ve strived for in my own journey). Her determination to learn, even in the face of failure, is truly commendable. The depth of her affection for her family, friends, and heritage tugs at my heartstrings. Moreover, her spirit of adventure and humor are a delightful combination that creates a truly enchanting experience.

In summary, she is a truly exceptional and multi-faceted woman, serving as an ideal role model for me both in my teenage years and beyond. If only I had her as a guiding figure during my childhood, the influence she’d have on me would undoubtedly have been even greater. To imagine how captivated and motivated my younger self would be by her is almost impossible.

It brings me great joy to see young children admire Moana as a role model, even though I have reservations about her films. I am delighted they were made, but I wish I could appreciate them more. Yet, I’ve realized you can cherish a character without liking the entire movie, and that’s perfectly fine.

Currently, if you’d like to form your own opinions about these movies, you could stream “Moana” with a Disney+ membership, and later head to the cinema to watch the sequel, “Moana 2”.

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2024-12-07 17:40