Moana (2026) – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Moana (2026) – Splash of Oceans Forgettable: A Hollow Adventure

From one page to another, things will move and adapt.  Leading into a new horizon, what we see can unfold in a matter of truth and circumstance.  For film, when adaptation happens, it becomes a matter of how to see it for what it is.  This is true from book/comics/visual novels … but also true for animated tales.  For better or worse, when it comes to fruition, it is a matter of … was it worth the ride.  In this review, I look at the latest live-action adaptation from Disney.  From a memorable original, this new iteration becomes more of the same.  Even if certain moments stand out, Moana (2026) is a splash of slight creativity on islands you barely knew.

In this new retelling, we follow a girl named Moana (Catherine Laga’aia) as she embarks on a journey where she encounters demi-gods, unrelenting creatures, and a mission to save her island home.  The art of storytelling will put you on many paths, bringing life to unique tales.  From creative twists, original takes and fusion of genres, every adaptation becomes a separation of the mind from the source.  This detail is important because the skewed nature of the source can breed certain expectations, a leading on type of expectation that forces comparisons.  Even if you put up those blinders, the new iteration can still lead to a hollow experience.  In the beginning, we get a narration prologue, before we head into some Disney-fied world-building about island culture and Moana’s own familial background.  After scenes of comical hijinks and musical prowess, certain conveniences lead to our titular character finding out certain truths before heading off on her mission: to save their island home, She must find Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and restore the heart of Te-Fiti.  From here, the film moves along a linear directive, as each situation turns into a repeated sequence of:

Reach destination > Comical / Musical hijinks ensue > Seminal banter > Unorthodox outcome > Head to new destination

These moments become hollow as the obvious stands out in the comparison to the original animated film.  Even as you put those ‘blinders’ on, seeing it for its own ‘live action’ reiteration still leads to that lackluster feeling of melodrama, character appeal and slapstick humor.  Nothing feels truly gripping, as the surface level approach doesn’t push forth any true emotional grip.  As the adventure moves along, it becomes a symptom of its own cause: a safe adaptation that drowns out any creative attempt for its fantastical elements or escape.

For all the lackluster feelings in the overall journey, there are still moments of charm and poignant reflection.  As the journey moves forward, it becomes a situation that builds off culture, personal worth and redemption.  For all the predictability at hand, seeing these small bits provide a human touch that adds to the quest … and the hope of them restore the heart in its full glory.  Once the duo reaches their destination, we head into a third act of bombastic action, unrelenting use of CGI and a twist that is familiar but has worth.  This leads to a triumphant climax and epilogue.  Moana (2026) is a live action film that becomes more of the same.  If you are a fan of the original animated tale, live action or Disney, I say there is fun to be had here.  In the end, I think that it can be a fun time at the theaters, for the right price.

Full Score – 3 out of 5 (Theater Discount)