Disney’s live-action reimagining of Moana is a visual spectacle, demanding open eyes and open ears to soak in the culture, music, and comedy. The animated original debuted in 2016, so after 10 years, watching a live-action remake felt more like attending a visually stimulating sing-along.
Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui. After connecting with the storied Maui (Dwayne Johnson), the two embark on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. Directed by Thomas Kail, the remake digs deeper into the rich cultures of the Pacific while staying true to its original story.
For a film that, honestly, nobody asked for, Disney really did go all out to make this a one-of-a-kind experience. The live-action adaptation provides room for experimentation. That means brighter colors, fuller landscapes, and space to flex creativity. Within the first 15 minutes, we see a young Moana get drawn to the ocean. When she arrives at the water, it not only recedes but parts ways as she walks, as if she were Moses fleeing Egypt. Te Fiti (the mother island), Pua (her pet pig), and Tamatoa (a coconut crab) all received a colorful, high-definition upgrade in the film, with Tamatoa stealing the show for a good bit. If you remember, the treasure-hoarding crab loved feeling “shiny” and wouldn’t hesitate to sing about it. Here, the gigantic, larger-than-life crab gives the best solo performance of his life, equipped with a shell full of bling as Moana and Maui try to recover Maui’s fishhook. The wild coconut-armored Kakamora put on quite the show as well.
The costumes were eye-catching and added a unique layer of authenticity that couldn’t be felt via animation. New Zealand-based costume designer Liz McGregor is to thank for enlivening every character with a culturally rich, authentic look. The 30-year veteran is no stranger to Disney’s live-action space, having served as assistant costume designer on Mulan before taking the reins for Moana. Everything from the prints on Moana’s garments, signifying her place in her community, to the colors she wore as a “taupou,” everything was intentional.
A unique challenge posed by live-action was fitting background actors. For a musical number, Disney always adds a trove of background characters to join in song in an animated feature. Here, McGregor was tasked with creating custom-made outfits for over 200 background actors. In the end, the costume department created over 2,000 crafted garments.
The cast met expectations. Between Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana, Dwayne Johnson as Maui, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, everyone appeared as the spitting image of their animated equivalent. The details on Maui were extremely impressive. With Johnson’s build and his incredible wig, the fabled demigod was brought to life before our eyes. They even kept his animated conscience, Mini Maui, that appears on his skin, acting as his moral compass.
If you were anticipating a “Chee Hoo” in this bad boy, you’ll be disappointed because that was Moana 2. This is the original film reimagined, so that means “Welcome,” “How Far I’ll Go,” and “Shiny” will have to suffice. A new original track, “Along The Way”, set the tone for a well-known adventure but with a new twist.
Moana gets a 9 out of 10. It’s true, not everything needs a remake, but if you’re going to do it, do it like Moana. The songs, comedy, and lessons taught are unique to the Disney brand. The cultural accuracy and visual splendor only add to the impressive feats reached in this modern-day reimagining of the animated classic. Although it could’ve been about 30 minutes shorter (it starts to drag a bit towards the end), it doesn’t affect the overall feel of the film. This is sure to be a hit with fans of the original and children who are new to the franchise.
Moana coasts into theaters on July 10.
-Jon Jones
Genre: Live-Action
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: July 10, 2026