The movie is still one of the best modern Disney movies. Its a real pleasure to watch with the kids. My daughter especially enjoys the Polynesian style and the catchy songs..even when i sing then out of tune. Worth a watch and a revisit from time to time.

I'm not the target market for these Disney animations so I usually avoid them like the plague, but I happened on MOANA at Christmastime and ended up watching it regardless. It turns out to be one of the studio's better recent productions. As usual, the slick and soulless animation style leaves me cold, and they still haven't fixed those dead eyes, but this one manages to have a half-decent storyline based on Polynesian mythology, which most viewers will know nothing about, that makes it stand out from the crowd. The songs have a nice local flavour too, and the whole thing is painless and enjoyable in a simplistic way.

"Moana" is the latest full length animated film from Disney and it's a worthy successor to its last CGI success, "Zootopia". While the film isn't perfect, it is very enjoyable and original.

The story in "Moana" is based y loosely on Polynesian folklore…in particular, their trickster demigod, Maui (Dwayne Johnson). Because of Maui's actions, nature is very slowly dying off and ruin is coming for Moana and her people. However, Moana's father, the Chief, is afraid of what lies beyond their island and forbids Moana from leaving on a journey to try to restore the lost heart to the Island Mother. Using pluck and determination, and with a bit of help from Maui, Moana makes this journey.

This synopsis might sound very strange and confusing…and it's best you just see the film for yourself. Suffice to say, it is a real crowd pleaser due to an interesting, stunning computer animation and very original story as well as some interesting characters. I particularly liked Moana as she was strong and likable…and not someone needing rescuing. But she also wasn't harsh or stereotypical…just determined. I also loved her pet sidekick, as this chicken is nothing like any Disney sidekick…and you'll soon realize this animal is possibly the dumbest in Disney history…as well as very funny.. As for Dwayne Johnson ('The Rock') he was also very good…and I was surprised that he had a decent singing voice in the film. As for the singing in general, however, this is the weakest aspect of the film. While most of the songs are enjoyable, a few are quite forgettable and none have that singability you look for in a full-length Disney cartoon. You'll almost certainly not be singing or humming the tunes once the film has concluded.

Finally, I'd like to point out that I really loved the look of the film. I've visited the South Pacific and New Zealand and the movie really does a great job of capturing the look and spirit of this part of the world. It's also nice that kids in this part of the world now finally have their own Disney princess…one who isn't a carbon copy of other Disney females.