Moana Live Action Movie Opens July 10th!
Moana will always have a special place in my hear for several reasons. Pre-pandemic I was part of a group of bloggers invited to Disney movie premieres in LA. At one of these junkets, we were surprised on the last day with a top secret interview with the voice of Moana herself, Auliʻi Cravalho! We were absolutely thrilled to be her very first interview!
Second, my talented son, with us on w Walt Disney trip, was asked to sing in order for us to gain entry when the Commissary at Hollywood Studios was about to open. After that, the attendant came back and asked him to sing again. My son got up in from f the restaurant and sang You’re Welcome from the first Moana movie, and his two dads could not have been prouder. And we got free milkshakes for his work (don’t tell the IRS!). The video is at the bottom of the post, don’t miss it!
And, lastly, I loved the second animated Moana movie as much as the first!
This live action Moana was fantastic. I saw online a lot of complaints that there was a lack o originality, and that confused me. It is a remake of an animated movie. By definition, the goal is not originality. The overall theme of Moana is about saving the planet, and Mother Earth. The live action version of this story added an entirely higher level of spirituality to the story that I responded to emotionally for a good part of the movie.
Rena Owen as Moana’s grandmother is a standout! have been a fan of hers for years and she was perfection. Catherine Laga’aia did a great job as Moana, and it was fun to see Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprise his role as Maui in real life. Of course there was a lot of CGI, and so what! It’s not like there could be a live action Hei Hei (he was hilarious), or a live action lava monster!
Lastly, this entire review is skewed as the nostalgia the movie brough back was more than just a love of the first movie. As a Disney blogger for almost 10 years pre-pandemic, we worked on several parts of the franchise, from participating in Auli’i’s first interview, to working on mini Maui with the animators! And of course I cannot hear the song You’re Welcome without remembering my son’s own live performance in the Commissary restaurant in Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.
This is the second movie in a row from Disney where I completely disagree with the reviews I have seen online. While it may be a little scary for those under 10 at some parts, overall, I rate this film an A+:
In “Moana,” Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscar® nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”); produced by Dwayne Johnson, p.g.a., Beau Flynn, p.g.a., Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, p.g.a. and Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, Kail and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films “Moana” and “Moana 2.” “Moana” features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina, and an original score composed by Mancina.
Audiences can experience the brilliant cinematic sights, sounds and songs of “Moana” exclusively in theaters July 10, 2026. Buy tickets now!
And here is the Auli’i, the original Moana:
My son sings You’re Welcome at Walt Disney World!
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