Catherine Lagaʻaia Shines in a Heartfelt but Overly Familiar Live-Action ‘Moana’
Disney’s 2016 animated feature Moana, about a teenage girl next in line to become chief who is chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her island, was a critical and commercial hit for the studio. Its popularity eventually led to Moana 2, a theatrical sequel that was originally developed as a Disney+ series, and now the title’s legacy continues with a live-action reimagining that brings the story of Moana, Maui, and Motunui into the physical world.
A major part of what made the animated original so successful was its music, which brought together songs written by Opetaia Foaʻi, Mark Mancina, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, with Mancina also composing the score. Their collaboration gave the film some of its most memorable moments, from the powerful “I want” anthem “How Far I’ll Go” to the infectious charm of “You’re Welcome.” With Miranda’s close lyrical ties to the film in mind, it makes sense that Disney would bring on his frequent collaborator Thomas Kail to direct. Kail, best known for directing the Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of Miranda’s In the Heights and Hamilton, brings a strong musical theater background to the live-action reimagining.
Comparisons between the live-action reimagining and the animated original are inevitable. For this version to stand on its own, it has to do more than recreate familiar story beats, revive familiar songs, and remake fan-favorite scenes. It needs to offer a clear reason for existing, through its visuals, performances, and music. That challenge starts with Catherine Lagaʻaia stepping into the title role as Moana, while Dwayne Johnson returns as the shape-shifting demigod Maui. The film also introduces a new song from Miranda, “Along the Way,” which functions as a musical conversation between two generations of Moana, Lagaʻaia, who carries the role in live action, and Auliʻi Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, who serves as a producer on the film.
The live-action Moana does not stray far from the animated film’s story. The ocean still calls on Moana to channel her inner wayfinder, sail beyond the reef, and restore the heart of Te Fiti before her island loses what makes it home. Along for the ride are the familiar animal companions, Heihei and Pua, who bring the same kind of chaos and cuteness expected from them. And of course, it would not be Moana without Maui, the shape-shifting demigod whose ego, humor, and heroism are just as important to the journey as the ocean itself.
But as a live-action remake, Moana arrives in a strange position. Unlike Disney’s other reimaginings, which usually return decades after the originals have become generational memories, this one comes only a decade after the 2016 animated film. That leaves the remake less room to lean on nostalgia and more pressure to justify why this story needed to be retold so soon.
Children familiar with the story, especially since the animated original is not even a decade old as of this publication, will recognize the characters, comedy beats, action set pieces, and familiar acts of heroism. Still, the live-action reimagining has a different kind of tangibility to the world now, thanks to the detailed textures of the costumes and textiles and the way the ocean, island, and village spaces feel more physically grounded. That matters because Moana has always been more than a fantasy adventure. It is also a story about identity, ancestry, wayfinding, and seeing oneself reflected in the people who appear on screen.
That does not mean every live-action choice works perfectly. The wigs, for example, can be distracting at times, especially in a film where Moana is constantly moving between the ocean, the island, and the more physically demanding parts of the journey. But those details do not take away from what the film gets right. Seeing real performers in these costumes, moving through these spaces, and interacting with the ocean gives Moana’s world a different kind of weight. The remake works best when Motunui feels less like a familiar Disney setting and more like a community people actually live in.
Kail’s Broadway background makes sense for a live-action version of one of Disney’s most music-driven animated films. But the film does not feel shaped by direction alone. The screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller helps connect this version to the larger Moana story, with Bush having written the 2016 animated original and Miller, who directed its sequel, bringing another Pacific Islander voice to the franchise. That matters because Moana is not just about the island as a setting. It is about the people, their stories, their history, and the way song, movement, ancestry, and the ocean shape how that world is understood.
One of the things the live-action reimagining does well is make Moana’s world feel more physical. The costumes, sets, movement, and musical staging give the story a different kind of presence, even when the film is recreating images audiences already know. There is also something surreal about watching Lagaʻaia step into the role, given that she was only 9 years old when the animated original was released. Her performance gives the remake its strongest argument for existing. This is not just a familiar character being recreated in live action. It is a new performer bringing her own presence to a role that many young viewers have grown up with.
Ironically, while the production succeeds in making Motunui feel more lived in through its costumes, locations, and cultural details, the film’s heavy reliance on CGI often has the opposite effect. The ocean, fantastical creatures, and several large-scale musical sequences lean so heavily on digital imagery that they sometimes lose the tactile quality the remake otherwise works hard to establish. The same can be said for the set design as island shots can feel staged rather than organic.
For all of its strengths, however, the live-action Moana struggles to justify why this story needed to be retold so soon. Beyond the shift to live action and a handful of expanded cultural details, the film remains remarkably faithful to the animated original. Nearly every major story beat, emotional turn, and musical number unfolds exactly as longtime fans remember, leaving little room for surprise. While that level of faithfulness may appeal to those who simply want a direct translation, a remake arriving less than a decade after its predecessor naturally invites expectations beyond recreation. The result is a film that rarely takes enough risks to distinguish itself from its animated counterpart.
Fortunately, Lagaʻaia’s performance helps the film stay afloat. She brings warmth, confidence, and effortless charm, allowing this version of Moana to feel like more than an imitation of Cravalho’s beloved performance. Rather than replicating every line reading or emotional beat, Lagaʻaia makes the role her own while preserving the curiosity, determination, and uncompromising compassion that define the character.
She also shares an easy chemistry with Johnson, whose return as Maui has flashes of the natural charisma audiences know and love, even if parts of the performance feel less inspired than they should. Watching Lagaʻaia opposite Johnson is a joy because Moana has to put up with Maui’s mischief while also slowly learning to trust the demigod behind all the bravado. That initial bond helps Moana on her journey of self-discovery. Then there’s Rena Owen, who also leaves a memorable impression as Gramma Tala, bringing warmth and emotional sincerity to one of the story’s most important relationships.
Still, Moana succeeds because of Lagaʻaia and its sincere embrace of Pasifika culture, not because it fundamentally reimagines Disney’s modern classic. It remains an entertaining and heartfelt adventure, but one that rarely escapes the shadow of the film that inspired it. For newcomers, it offers another gateway into Moana’s journey. For audiences who grew up with the 2016 original, however, this remake ultimately feels less like a bold reinterpretation than a respectful, beautifully performed retelling.
8/10
