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Moana: Disney’s Feisty New Heroine

December 1, 2016 //  by Uju//  8 Comments

 
Moana
 
Move over, Frozen, there’s a new Disney babe in town and her name’s MOANA.

Disney has been crushing it in 2016 with the release of instant classics like Zootropolis, The Jungle Book and Finding Dory, all vying for spots in our favourite family films of all time. I’m abnormally excited about the live action Beauty & the Beast (slated for March 2017).

If your little girl (or boy) is hankering for another strong female heroine that ain’t your typical princess, then go see Moana, opening this Friday at cinemas across the UK.

 
Moana's parents Chief Tui and Sina
 
Moana is a staggeringly beautiful film using CGI animation and lush painterly colours to evoke a South Pacific setting. Everything hums with life, from the shimmying coconut trees to the rollicking sea that plays a guest starring role in the film.

This is the fable of Moana, a chieftain’s daughter who’s being prepared to rule her tribe, but feels a yearning to explore beyond the shallow waters surrounding her island. Her papa warns her about straying too far, but Moana is made for a more adventurous life.

Besides, things aren’t exactly hunky dory at home… what with all the crop withering and rapid climate change threatening their living space.

 
Moana demi-god Maui
 
Moana’s sassy grandma urges her to listen to the voice inside, and go out to seek Maui (a demi god) who will help recapture what was stolen from the goddess Te Fiti — hint: it’s the reason everything is out of whack in the first place. I won’t give away any more of the plot, except to say that it involves lots of music and magic, a volcano-hot baddie, a blinged-out crab, and a hilariously dumb but loveable chicken. Plus Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock flexing muscles upon muscles in the form of beefcake Maui (even his tattoos are ripped).

Newcomer Auli’i Cravalho makes a spirited debut as the voice of Moana and Broadway hotshot Lin Manuel Miranda (creator of multiple award winning show Hamilton) adds his golden touch to the soundtrack, giving us catchy tune after stirring showstopper.

Moana is a wonderful movie with a twist at the end that has stuck with me, and I’m sure made an impression even on the youngest kids. Also I loved taking my Naija boys to see a Disney film crammed with characters that have brown skin, broad noses and a rich ancestral heritage. Sure, it’s still a Disneyfied version of a much deeper culture than what’s portrayed on screen, but hey… baby steps.

Moana (Babes Review)

(by Ezra, age 10 and Jed, age 7)

In a Nutshell: ‘It’s the story of Moana, a girl who’s become the chief of her tribe and whose grandmother’s tales make her want to go down to the sea. One day her grandma shows her that her people were once voyagers. She goes to find Maui to persuade him to help restore the heart of Te Fiti.’ (Ezra). ‘Moana’s grandma tells her that the sea chose her to go beyond the reef to help her people. She had to help them because all the coconuts didn’t have milk and there weren’t any fish to catch.’ (Jed)

Memorable moment: ‘When she finds Maui.’ (Ezra). ‘When Maui comes back to fight the lava monster.’ (Jed).

Rating: ‘4 and a half to 5 stars’ (Ezra). ‘5 stars!’ (Jed)

Age Guidance: ‘At least 3, children under 3 it depends on how tough they are because there are a few scary scenes.’ (Ezra). ‘4+’ (Jed)

Message: ‘Do what you have to do to save your tribe.’ (Jed). ‘You can still pull through even when you’re under pressure.’ (Ezra)

Disney’s Moana is on general release from Fri Dec 2

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Category: KidsTag: Christmas, Disney, family films, things to do in London with kids

About Uju

Uju Asika is a writer, blogger and creative consultant. She is the author of Raising Boys Who Do Better: A Hopeful Guide for a New Generation (DK/Penguin Random House), Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World (Yellow Kite/Hachette UK) and the delightful picture book A World for Me and You, illustrated by Jennie Poh (Hachette Children's Group). Uju's books are available at Bookshop.org, Amazon, Waterstones and other good bookshops. Follow Uju @babesabouttown on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram.

Previous Post: «Underneath a Magical Moon London Kids Weekend Scoop (November 24-27, 2016)
Next Post: Top London Christmas Theatre for Families The Cat in the Hat»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Honestmum

    December 1, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    Your kids are the smartest kids in the world. Seriously. They are both going to be future Spielbergs. YES to films like this and Zootropolis (we have Finding Dory on dvd and I can’t wait to watch) -for exploring important themes through diverse characters and powerful role models. Loved this and can’t wait to see it xx

  2. Nell (the Pigeon Pair and Me)

    December 2, 2016 at 11:00 am

    I love the sound of this film, and it’s great that Disney are starting to include a more diverse range of characters in their films. Sounds as though your boys learnt some powerful messages from the film!

  3. Uju

    December 2, 2016 at 11:25 am

    Haha I would love for them to go into the creative industries, actually very interested to see what films/gaming/blogging and such will look like when they’re adults. Everything moves so fast! Moana is fabulous and I can’t wait for you to watch Finding Dory either, such a lovely movie x

  4. Uju

    December 2, 2016 at 11:26 am

    Hi Nell, yes Disney has a really clever way of working important messages about culture, nature and also womanhood into their flicks. Loved how they handled this in Zootropolis, and Moana left a big impression on all of us too x

  5. Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles)

    December 2, 2016 at 2:13 pm

    This sounds like another Disney cracker, Uju. My two boys love those spirited heroines too – the youngest is also insanely excited about the new Beauty and the Beast film. We’ll definitely have to see Moana now. I love that your children wrote their own reviews too. #CulturedKids

  6. Allison

    December 2, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    We saw Moana last weekend and loved it. It was actually just my husband and I since our kids are still too young for movie theaters. Disney really hit the ball out of the park with this one. #CulturedKids

  7. Uju

    December 5, 2016 at 9:30 am

    It’s terrific isn’t it Allison? Loved the music especially :-)

  8. Uju

    December 5, 2016 at 9:30 am

    Truly a fantastic film and my kids are becoming little bloggers haha. Glad you liked the review Clare x

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I’m Uju, author, blogger, screenwriter. I curate cool finds and experiences for city families. Read more…

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