Disney’s live-action remake of Moana is facing broad negative reviews from critics following its cinema release. Outlets including the BBC, The Guardian, The Independent, The Times, and The Hollywood Reporter describe the film as dull or soulless and argue it does not meaningfully extend the 2016 animated original. Multiple reviews say the production hews too closely to the source material, using a familiar live-action remake approach rather than offering fresh creative ideas. Several critics cite the visual presentation and overall look as lacking energy, with some commenting on the film’s use of green-screen effects and the sense of an overly artificial transformation of animated elements into live action. Reviews also connect the tone of the remake to its central performances: Dwayne Johnson’s portrayal of Maui is criticized by some as feeling like “autopilot,” while others describe his presence as distracting or miscast. While the overall reception is unfavorable, some coverage notes limited strengths, including Catherine Laga’aia’s lead performance in certain assessments, as well as mentions of aspects of production design and CG craft. Alongside reviews, industry reporting highlights concerns about potential box-office performance, with some outlets framing the film as a difficult commercial test for Disney’s ongoing run of live-action remakes.