Disney’s live-action “Moana” remake, directed by Thomas Kail, brings the 2016 animated hit back to theaters with Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. Multiple outlets note that the film retains the core story: Moana, daughter of a Polynesian chief, sets out to restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, an action linked to an environmental crisis on her island home. She travels with Maui, whose own plot involves retrieving the hook that powers him and confronting his nemesis, including the giant crab Tamatoa.
Several reviews describe the remake as largely “back-to-basics” or close to the original, with critics disagreeing mainly on whether this approach is merely conventional or actively makes the movie feel pointless. While most sources acknowledge professional execution and familiar set pieces, negative assessments cite a lack of meaningful reinvention and an over-reliance on the animated film’s established beats and visuals. Other coverage highlights strengths including performances—particularly Laga’aia—and revived songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Box-office reporting is framed alongside the critical response, with one outlet describing a weak opening and another emphasizing the film’s reception among reviewers.
