Disney's live-action adaptation of "Moana" has arrived, and it's hard to think of a more lackluster example of the studio phoning it in. The 2016 animated film is being remade just a few years after its release, following in the footsteps of other reimagined classics.
The live-action gimmick has largely paid off for Disney, with several remakes making over a billion dollars globally. However, if the studio expects audiences to pay to see one of their movies, they should justify its existence beyond being a cash cow.
This "Moana" remake is virtually a shot-by-shot, beat-by-beat redo of its predecessor. The story follows Moana, the daughter of the chief of the Polynesian island of Motunui, as she ventures into the ocean to find Maui and restore the heart of Te Fiti to save her people.
What's shocking about this remake is how overtly lazy it appears to be. Despite being billed as live-action, everything looks fake, from the clearly green-screened beach scenes to the unrealistic animals. Even the film's star, Dwayne Johnson, sports a ridiculous wig.
Not only is the remake visually duller, but it's also less funny, with stiffer characters and a less captivating soundtrack. The original "Moana" was vibrant, beautifully animated, and featured a livelier cast of characters and unmatched vocal performance.
The director, Thomas Kail, brings zero creative vision to the film, relying heavily on the source material without adding any new elements. The result is a regurgitation of the original, with no added depth or insight.
Disney has had successes with cartoon-turned-live-action films, but this "Moana" remake has nothing going for it. It's an uninspired effort that might as well have been generated by AI. While kids may enjoy it, what's the point when they can watch the superior original version at home?
"Moana" is rated PG for action/peril, some scary images, rude humor, and brief thematic elements. The film runs for 1 hour and 55 minutes and is currently in theaters.
