I Watched Moana 10 Years Later And This Isn't the Review You're Expecting

No, Disney didn't cast me. Yes, AI let me pretend for one photo. But I did watch the Moana live action, and fair warning, this won't be the review you're expecting.

I know the critics have been critical. I know half the internet was upset about Maui's hair. Okay. Noted. But here's my honest take: I thought the movie was amazing.

Yes, it's almost a scene-by-scene retelling of the original. But here's the thing. I watched the animated Moana ten years ago, and even though the film is the same, I'm not. And that changed everything.

The Part Where It Got Personal

There was so much in this film that reminded me of my own journey over the last decade.

I've always been the type to believe I'm one of the lucky ones who could make things happen, that if I put my whole heart into something, I'll make it. And I still believe that. But that belief was tested when I started my physical clinic and found myself in an environment where not everyone believed in the things I believe in, or could see my vision. I learnt some expensive lessons.

So watching the journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti hit differently this time. Halfway through, even the team gives up. Maui walks away, convinced they'll never make it. I've been there. I've sat in that exact place, wondering, will I ever actually do what I set out to do?

And then came the scene. Moana and Maui fail to get past Te Kā, the corrupted, heartbroken alter ego of Te Fiti, and Maui, shattered, leaves. Moana, alone on the ocean, starts to believe she was never the chosen one. She's ready to give up. And that's when her late gramma and her ancestors come to her, and remind her of who she is.

https://youtu.be/SgXpsZa8_i4?si=Mo0vbsuH5Mt1vgyS

Go listen to I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors) again. Especially if you're in the middle of a challenging season right now. Feel what I felt. That strength is inside you. You're still going to make it. I believe in you. 💛

Okay, Back to the Actual Movie

The cast did an amazing job, especially Catherine Laga'aia. I could genuinely picture her as the animated Moana herself. The Rock was, as always, very fun to watch. Gramma Tala and Moana's parents were wonderful too. Hei Hei remains an absolute scene stealer, and seeing Pua in live action? I love Pua. That is all.

And the outfits. Everything looked so good.

Why It Stayed So Faithful

The animated Moana was so complete, so well told, that there wasn't much left for this version to fill in, unlike Cinderella, where the live action added new layers and modernised the story slightly. My theory? Moana is so deeply loved that the team was afraid to change too much of this beloved tale. And honestly, I understand why.

Final Verdict

I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Ten years ago, when that scene played, I was simply wondering whether Moana would make it. This time, sitting in the cinema, I was wondering whether I would.

Sometimes a film doesn't need to be different. Sometimes you're the one who's different, and the story meets you where you are now.

Fittingly, I'm ending this outside Gramma Tala's Kitchen aboard the Disney Adventure. Hehe!

Go watch it, belles and beaus. And take your ten-years-ago self with you. 🐚

Your friend,

Juliana