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Disney’s Moana Has Sailed Into Our Home {review + giveaway}

  ·   Category: Disney, Family, Giveaway, Reviews   ·  

"Moana" introduces a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to fulfill her ancestors? unfinished quest. She meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (?The Little Mermaid,? ?Aladdin,? ?The Princess & the Frog?), ?Moana? sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.

MOANA is an adventurous, tenacious and compassionate 16-year-old who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. Along the way, she discovers the one thing she's always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker ("The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," "The Princess & the Frog") and featuring newcomer Auli'i Cravalho as the voice of Moana, Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Moana" sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

My oldest daughter and I went to see Moana during a movie screening and we both had things we loved about it immediately. It was a movie I was not 100% sure about what I would think and how I would feel. It did ultimately win me over. This is a film that will become a Disney classic.

SYNOPSIS

This movie is all about a girl named Moana and how the sea is calling her. Her father, Chief Tu, does not want anyone sailing beyond the reefs that surround the island they all live on. He fears the danger that the sea could have in store and wants everyone to stay safe on their beautiful island. She will one day be the chief of the village, but she cannot get rid of the calling she feels to head out to sea. 

Moana goes on to discover her people’s heritage of sailing. She soon sets off on a journey of her own to help her village after a realizing there’s no longer enough fish, the once lush green island is turning brown, even the coconuts are rotting on the trees. Moana recalls the tales her Grandmother told her about the demi-god Maui and how he once took the gem-like heart of the Te Fiti. Maui ends up in a battle against a lava monster that sends the gem and Maui’s hook to the bottom of the ocean and Maui far away.

The tale her Grandmother told her ends stating that there will be a hero who will sail off and find the lost heart of Te Fiti and Maui’s hook. The hero will then force now to return what he stole back to Te Fiti. This fact sends Moana out to sea despite not knowing a thing about sailing or knowing where to find Maui. The one thing she does know is she needs to follow her calling and fulfill her quest.

WHAT WE LOVED ABOUT MOANA

Without a doubt the music in Moana is incredible. You will find yourself singing along in no time, and have Maui’s “You’re Welcome” constantly running through your head. I have a major love for the Polynesian based music that has been modernized. Like most Disney films there is the “Princess Power Ballad” with Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go”. 

The animation itself is spectacular. Even the ocean becomes a character with how everything has been done. The scenery is beautiful and transports you to the location this film is based in. You will have no doubt about scenes taking place on a tropical island or at the bottom of the ocean floor.

Casting was spot on for this with Dwayne Johnson as Maui and Disney casting Auli’i Cravalho as Moana. Johnson has Samoan heritage and Cravalho is from Hawaii. I feel this truly helped with keeping the character’s based upon the setting of the movie. But, the characters who steal the show are Hei Hei the roaster and Pua the pig. Hei Hei brings comedic relief at the exact time it is needed!

WHAT DIDN’T WORK FOR US

If you are going to be watching this movie with younger children, I strongly suggest you screen the movie beforehand so that you are ready to fast forward if need be. There were a couple scenes that my preschooler did not like. The scene with Tamatoa the crab is one we skip over, my daughter does not like how grumpy he is and finds him a bit frightening. The major scary scene though is towards the end of the movie when Maui and Moana confront the lava monster. This is the stuff that can cause nightmares for young children. If you know your child is sensitive to these things, skip over the scenes or wait til they are older to watch this movie.

I also do find this movie does take some time to get rolling and comes to an abrupt end. I feel a bit more could have been put into the script to give it a better-directed journey and some more story depth. Is it lacking because of this, no, the story works. I just feel there could have been that smidgen more to put it over the top.  

MOANA - (Pictured) Pua and Hei Hei ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

This is a film based on Polynesian mythology. The film does feature topic lines about gods and spirits from Polynesian mythology. This was part of what made me a little apprehensive, but I do feel it is important for people to get to know about other cultures and this is a good stepping stone to start dialogue all about it.

Ultimately we do enjoy watching Moana, the clincher truly is the music and artwork. That is what you will fall in love with. If you are a huge Disney fan, love musicals, and a story full of adventure.

– GIVEAWAY –

We are giving away a Moana Blue-Ray DVD combo to one Canadian reader. The Moana Blue-Ray DVD is available in stores now and contains all sorts of great bonus features you will enjoy watching, plus a Maul mini-movie that will make you laugh. Enter to win via Rafflecopter below. The highlight for us is always watching the deleted scenes.

If you are would like to own a copy of Disney’s Moana enter through below! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tenacious teenager Moana (voice of Auliʻi Cravalho) recruits a demigod named Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) to help her become a master wayfinder and sail out on a daring mission to save her people. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker, produced by Osnat Shurer, and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa‘i, “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

xox - tamara (1)

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Disclosure: This is a post has been done in partnership with Disney. We received a product sample or this review. All opinions and views in this post are 100% our own.

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Comments

  1. Liz Squires says

    We loved the music and artwork too, and I really loved the chance to introduce my kids to another culture’s stories and mythologies and expand their education. I personally loved the end, when “evil” is not just destroyed, it is redeemed for good. The revelation of that and her song and moment of walking through the parted waters (like Moses and the Red Sea) was very moving for me.

  2. Sunshine H says

    We saw it, and loved the songs, and how different the movie was from some of the other ‘Princess’ movies. The animation was spectacular too, and I will never look at ‘The Rock’ quite the same way.

  3. try small things says

    My hubby took our two to see Moana a couple of weeks ago and they’ve been singing the songs ever since, especially Shiny — that song is their favourite part of the movie! We’d love a copy to watch at home. 🙂

  5. Patricia C says

    I love that moana is a strong female lead character and the movie doesn’t involve a love story

  7. Carlie says

    We have seen it! We loved the music for sure sorry Elsa there’s a new princess in town!

  10. Courtney says

    I love following you & seeing all you do with your kiddos! You’re amazing!
    I would love to win this since for Christmas I gave to my boyfriends little cousins, 5 of them, a movie night at my place & this is the movie we want to watch! This would be great!

  14. Jenn says

    Thanks for the scary parts heads up. My son gets nervous easily watching movies with scary bits.

  15. Jennifer says

    Really wanting to see this one since we love all things Disney. Thanks for the review and heads up on the scary parts for toddlers.

  17. Lydia Taylor says

    I watched Moana with my three and a half year old twins and five year old. I had the same hesitations but even loved it! And he mythology just gave us a chance to talk about it and how it differs from our beliefs. A great movie and it will become a quick favourite in our house!

  19. Anne Taylor says

    We haven’t seen it but love that it has different ethnicities in it! Looks great and my grandkids would love it!

  20. abroadnamedpatrice says

    We actually played the soundtrack during our entire trip to Hawaii, and my daughter loved them! She’s only 20 months, so we never attempt to watch a full movie, but she has seen each of the musical clips and we can’t wait to watch the full movie together in the future!

  28. Iris says

    We also loved the music! My 4 year old has learned “How far I’ll Go” and keeps singing it. She also loves Heyhey and for some reason just loves the part where Maui is standing on Te Ka’s hand and says “Hey Te Ka, shark head”. She thinks it hilarious and keeps repeating it.

  30. Lindsay says

    I actually haven’t seen it yet, but I’m glad I read your review first since I have an almost 2 year old! Everyone seems to love it!

  43. lifeofaministermom says

    We really enjoyed the movie and I thought it was interesting seeing it the second time through. The crab was the least favorite part for all of us but the second time around my five-year-old was not afraid of the lava monster like she was the first time. I do you agree that, like with most Disney movies, there is some reference to sorcery or gods that do not agree with my beliefs but is definitely a learning opportunity!!

  44. Melissa says

    I have 7 times my daughter loves Moana. I love how she’s a strong woman who is willing do something so bold to save the island

  45. DaveS says

    We didn’t get a chance to see it when it was in theater so really looking forward to getting the movie for home.

  46. Christine D says

    Actually no we haven’t although my daughter really wants to see it! My son is a little too small and short attention span to see it in a theatre

  47. Katie Herrod says

    We finally got around to watching Moana this past weekend, my 7 and 9 year olds loved it and it was entertaining for hubby and I too. The scenery alone had me sold, I love everything Hawaiian/Polynesian ❤

  48. SweetPanda says

    We haven’t seen the movie yet so I would love to win a copy of it and watch with my kids

  50. ivy pluchinsky says

    No we have not seen this movie yet, but i have heard its a good one and would love to win a copy so we can watch it together as a family.

  52. Kristen S says

    We haven’t seen the movie but have heard from sooo many people that it is great!! 😊

  55. Tara Betterley says

    I haven’t seen it yet but, I really loved the trailers. Can’t wait to see it!

  56. Erika Letson says

    We have seen it and loved it. I liked that it featured a strong female and no love story!

  57. Wayne Lecoy says

    It would be great to win
    a Moana Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack.
    In response to your questions of
    Did you see the movie Moana? What did you love about it?
    No i haven’t watched this movie but i did watch the trailer.
    I like the Story line and the songs and i know my niece would love to watch this movie.
    Thank you for having this giveaway.

  65. Codi Lynn says

    I love how you honestly share what you feel could be improved on. Really great review as we haven’t seen it yet and if we were watching with our middle one we would likely need to have to fast forward parts as well.

  68. Alison G says

    I did not see the movie, but I would love to. I have heard amazing things about it from friends.

  69. cottagebunny says

    We haven’t seen it yet but we are shivering with anticipaton because we will see it on DVD soon.
    Our favorite part is the singing and dancing.We have little grandchildren that love the singing and
    dancing and I can see them following along. This sounds like such an adorable movie! 🙂

  71. Stephanie says

    I didn’t get the chance to see the movie! I love the song in it, really want to watch it with my family!

  75. Helisa Duplassie says

    Oh my goodness, we watched it 4-5 times over the course of a weekend. As a Disney crier and having lost my grandmother late last year, this was such an emotional and incredible movie for me. The songs are still stuck in my head, I think it’s my new favourite Disney movie. I adore Moana as a Disney role model compared to the typical princess story where even the more recent ones like Frozen and Brave featured love/marriage as part of the story’s theme. This is a great female centric adventure and no mention of true love. And exploring other cultures and their legends opens up whole new worlds of possibility and adventure in the future. I’m gushing aren’t I…

  83. Debbie S. says

    I have not seen it yet. I’ve only seen previews. Looks like a fun movie from Disney.

  84. lori b says

    we absolutely enjoyed it, I love humor in the movie and would watch it again and again.

  87. aly3360 says

    We haven’t seen Moana yet, but we plan to! My sister says her daughter (3 years old) can’t stand the movie and that every time Moana comes on (even in commercials) she gets mad and has a fit. I’ve heard nothing but good things from everyone but the three year old lol. We will deffinitely get around to watching it though and decide for ourselves!!

    – Amber Y

  92. Terry Stevens says

    No, I didn’t get an opportunity to see the movie Moana but would love to see it with my granddaughter.

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