Let’s start with the obvious: the animation is a masterpiece. Even ten years later, the water in Moana looks more real than actual water. I’m not exaggerating-there are shots where waves curl with such weight and texture you’ll check your socks for dampness. The ocean isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character with personality, humor, and a serious soft spot for Moana.
But the real magic? Auliʻi Cravalho. She was 14 when she voiced Moana, and her performance is raw, powerful, and achingly believable. You feel her fear when she faces the monstrous coconut-pirate Kakamora. You cheer when she shouts, “I am Moana!” at the lava demon Te Kā. And you’ll absolutely cry during her duet with Maui on “Know Who You Are.” Yes, you will. Don’t fight it.
The music, by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi, and Mark Mancina, is the kind that plants itself in your brain and pays rent forever. “How Far I’ll Go” is a perfect anthem for anyone who’s ever felt stuck. “You’re Welcome” is a banger that Dwayne Johnson delivers with so much swagger you’ll forgive Maui his many, many flaws. And “Shiny”? Jemaine Clement’s Tamatoa is a glitter-obsessed giant crab who steals the movie for five glorious minutes. Bowie would be proud.
The humor lands for both kids and adults. Heihei the rooster is comedy gold (Alan Tudyk deserves an Oscar for playing a completely empty-headed chicken), and Maui’s ego-driven banter is genuinely funny without ever feeling mean. The film respects its audience-no lazy jokes, no pandering.
If I have quibbles, they’re minor. The middle act drags slightly during Maui’s backstory, and some younger viewers might find the fiery Te Kā a bit intense. Also, the songs are so good that the non-musical scenes feel slightly less electric by comparison. But these are nitpicks. Moana is a near-perfect balance of heart, humor, and spectacle.
