

A teenage girl who longs to see and do more than her daily life allows – possibly with a loving but stern/overly-protective father as an obstacle – is obviously not a new concept. Moana quickly establishes itself as an entertaining, gorgeously animated film, but the opening scenes also feel a bit overly familiar when it comes to Disney animation storylines.

Moana must enlist Maui’s assistance in returning the “heart” of Te Kā to its rightful place – but that is, of course, easier said than done. Now, Te Kā’s vengeance is causing the plight facing Moana’s people. 1000 years before, Maui - whose massive, magical fishhook gives him the ability to shapeshift into any animal - stole a powerful object from the lava monster Te Kā. That quest includes finding the demigod, Maui (Dwayne Johnson), who is inadvertently responsible for what is happening to Motunui.
