Live action remakes have a bad name, but they certainly aren’t all as terrible as audiences make out. Those that manage to keep the magic whilst entertaining us and perhaps even trying something slightly new manage to exceed expectations, inviting a new generation of fans to get on board with the story and characters. However, Moana unfortunately does not come under that banner, offering up a heartless, lifeless rendition of the original. Directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton) and starring Catherine Laga’aia as the titular heroine alongside Dwayne Johnson (The Smashing Machine) reprising his role as Maui, the story follows Moana as she answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. The songs still hit and the performances work well enough, but there’s nothing here that makes it equal to, let alone better than, the animated version from 2016.
It’s hard to pinpoint why a film that’s a pure copy of the original, even down to specifics such as camera movements and facial expressions, can be referred to as ‘bad’ when the original is so great. Perhaps it’s because Moana only released 10 years ago, or maybe it’s like hearing the same joke twice – it’s simply not as fun, enjoyable or entertaining the second time around. Beat for beat, the storyline here is exactly the same, as is the dialogue, the jokes, the framing – every element. Younger viewers experiencing this story for the first time will undoubtedly have a lot of fun, but those who have spent the last ten years enjoying the animated version will find little to latch onto here. Lacking in heart, stakes and emotion, it feels much like a broken record. It’s simply impossible to get behind the journey when we know the destination. The biggest issue with watching a story play out that’s super familiar in every way is that it gets boring. A journey across the ocean with a bunch of funny characters shouldn’t be dull, but where the originals run-time passes like a breeze, the new version lags and lulls.
The reception of this film is quite a shame given Catherine Laga’aia’s dedicated performance as Moana. This is her breakout role, and an impressive, confident one at that. She can certainly hold a tune, bringing a solid set of vocal chords to these songs we know and love. She also does well with the tenacity of the character, delivering a live action version of Moana of Motunui that is just as easy to root for. Boasting charm, charisma and genuine talent, none of the blame for the films reception should be placed on her shoulders. Dwayne Johnson completely won audiences over with his turn as Maui back in 2016, with the actor very keen to reprise it for this film. Whilst certainly not the standout of the 2026 rendition, his performance is passable enough – it’s more the material that doesn’t work so well. The jokes, quips and tone of his character fail to have the same impact in live action as they do animated, making him come across as overly corny and less of a likeable hero. Animation can do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to humour, visuals and what a film can get away with in general – Moana is proof of that.
The visuals have come under a microscope since early reviews released, and although the film is not as bland and colourless as cinema goers have been led to believe, it does lack a certain feel that only animation can provide. From the sweeping waves to the looming mountains, even down to animal sidekicks Hei Wei and Pua, every frame looks somewhat appealing and akin to the original, with the colours trying to pop off the screen and a gorgeous open sea location taking centre stage. The issue here is simple – it just looked better in 2016. Where other live action efforts have managed to add whimsy and wonder whilst bringing locations and characters to life, Moana does the opposite, as these details just aren’t as bold and vibrant in real life. Bright blues are traded for pale ones, deep reds are replaced by natural earthy tones, and although this does achieve the goal of looking more real, it loses its spark in the process.
Many viewers may come away from Moana simply wondering what the point was. With the original still fresh in our minds and this remake offering little to no newness, Moana feels like a rehash rather than a revamp. Yes, the songs are great and the characters are likeable, but we already knew that. Laga’aia tries but to little avail, the film teetering on the edge of boring as the audience watch something play out that’s familiar, losing all its magic and heart along the way.
