Editorial credit: ROBERTCOOPER / Shutterstock.com
Get ready to sail across the ocean with Moana, Maui and a whole lot of Disney magic!
Remember Moana, the animated Disney movie with the amazing songs, beautiful ocean adventures and a brave girl who sets off on an incredible journey?
Well, Moana is back — this time in live action!
The new Moana brings the much-loved animated story to life with real actors, spectacular locations and some seriously impressive visual effects. If you’ve seen the original, you’ll recognise lots of your favourite moments, characters and songs.
So, is it worth jumping aboard?
Absolutely!
🌺 MEET MOANA
Catherine Laga’aia takes on the role of Moana, a brave young girl who loves her island and feels a special connection to the ocean.
Just like in the animated movie, Moana isn’t waiting for someone else to solve her problems. She’s determined to save her people and discover who she really is.
Her adventure takes her far across the ocean, where she meets the funny and sometimes very annoying demigod Maui.
Together, they face dangerous challenges, discover amazing places and learn that being brave doesn’t mean you’re never scared — it means you keep going even when things get difficult.
That’s one of the best things about Moana.
She’s a hero who doesn’t need a magic wand or a prince.
She simply believes she can make a difference.
💪 MAUI IS BACK!
And yes — Dwayne Johnson is back as Maui!
Johnson originally provided Maui’s voice in the animated movie, so seeing him return to the role makes perfect sense.
Maui is still funny, confident and just a tiny bit full of himself.
His famous song “You’re Welcome” is back too, so prepare to get it stuck in your head all over again!
Maui and Moana make a great team because they’re very different. Moana is determined and thoughtful, while Maui is loud, cheeky and convinced that he’s the greatest person who has ever lived.
Their friendship is one of the most entertaining parts of the movie.
🌊 THE OCEAN LOOKS AMAZING!
If there’s one thing you’re going to notice immediately, it’s the ocean.
Wow!
The water looks incredible, and the beautiful islands, beaches and forests make the movie feel like a giant adventure postcard.
The visual effects are fantastic, especially when Moana is travelling across the ocean or facing enormous challenges.
Te Fiti and Te Kā also look spectacular, bringing some of the animated movie’s biggest moments into the real world.
It’s definitely the sort of movie that looks best on a big cinema screen.
🎵 GET READY TO SING!
One of the best things about Moana is that the songs are back.
That means you can sing along to favourites such as:
“How Far I’ll Go”
“You’re Welcome”
And plenty of other songs from the original movie.
If you’ve watched the animated version a million times, you might find yourself singing along before the characters even start!
And don’t worry if you haven’t seen the original — the songs and story are easy to enjoy on their own.
🤔 IS IT EXACTLY THE SAME?
Well… pretty much!
The live-action Moana follows the animated movie very closely.
You’ll recognise many of the same scenes, jokes, songs and adventures.
Some people might wish there were more brand-new surprises, but there’s something nice about seeing a favourite story brought to life in a different way.
It’s a little like opening your favourite book and discovering that the characters have suddenly jumped off the pages!
⭐ OUR VERDICT
Moana is colourful, exciting, funny and packed with adventure.
The story still has plenty of heart, and Moana remains a fantastic role model for young audiences. She’s brave, curious, kind and determined to do what’s right.
The biggest question is whether you need to watch this version if you’ve already seen the animated movie.
The answer?
You don’t have to — but it’s certainly fun!
If you loved the original Moana, you’ll probably enjoy seeing the characters and songs brought to life.
And if you’re discovering Moana for the first time, get ready for a fantastic adventure across the sea.
So grab your popcorn, get comfortable and prepare to set sail.
The ocean is calling! 🌊
⭐ RATING: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐
BEST BITS: 🌊 Amazing ocean scenes • 🎵 Catchy songs • 💪 Brave Moana • 😂 Funny Maui • 🌺 Beautiful island adventures
OUR TIP: If you know all the songs already, try not to sing louder than everyone else in the cinema!
MOANA’S BIG LESSON: Being brave doesn’t mean you’re never afraid. It means believing in yourself and keeping going.