We missed the preview, so we went to see Moana the day after Thanksgiving. For the sake of disclosure, I had already sat through three different experiences with the animators and the star of the movie, so I did get a little emotional. Luckily my family could not see me crying at an animated movie as we all had 3D glasses on!
This is a true story! Moana is a character created to explain a piece of Pacific Island history, but the basic premise is indeed based on fact, as I have explained to my family several times:
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds.
The wayfinders did actually stop traveling for a thousand years and no one knows why. Moana is a created character made to explain how wayriding started up again, but the basic story is historical fact. And the mythology of Maui is one that almost all Pacific Island cultures share in one form or another. It’s mini Maui that is made up!
I absolutely loved the movie. And so did my family. The story is fun and entertaining and the music is great! My son has been singing You’re Welcome for a few days know, he has decided to use it to audition for his middle school play!
I have already written two stories about this movie, A Moana Preview w/ the Animators, and an interview with Moana herself, Auli’i Cravalho, who I met:
I interviewed the teenager who was plucked out of her high school in Hawaii to become the newest Disney Princess! It was one of her first interviews ever, and she was there with her mom, Puanani, who was so happy she cried for half the interview. It was one of the greatest interview experiences I have ever participated in, and why I was emotional when I finally saw the whole movie!
Disney’s newest animated short also premiered with Moana, Inner Workings is a wonderful and joyful representation of what is going on inside of us when we decide to life life:
Enjoy Disney’s new and fantastic animated short, Inner Workings, and full length movie, Moana!
Looks like another movie I need to go see.
Wow that must of been real exciting for her to be selected and real cool you got to interview her.
We will go see the movie tommorow thank you for sharing what is behind the actual movie.
How does anybody keep up with all this animated stuff..new one every week!
very cute i need to go see this!
This looks like a very cute movie, definitely going to take the time to see it. Thank you for sharing.
What a fabulous movie. I learned from you that it is based on historical fact. It is a must see!