Walt Disney Pictures, Seven Bucks Productions, Flynn Picture Co. and 5000 Broadway Productions’ Moana (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is a musical adventure drama. The village chieftain’s daughter, Moana (Catherine Laga’aia), goes on a mission to return the heart of the island Goddess, Te Fiti. But she can do so only after seeking the help of Maui (Dwayne Johnson), a shape-shifting demi-God. Moana has to return the heart because the people of her village are in misery. They can’t catch fish and the farmers’ crops have failed. Convinced that this is because Maui had stolen Te Fiti’s heart and had then gone missing, Moana sets out on a mission to first locate Maui and then return Te Fiti’s heart.
Based on Disney’s 2016 animation film of the same name, this one is a live-action adaptation. The story of the animation film, written by Jared Bush, Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams, Don Hall, Pamela Ribon, Aaron Kandell and Jordan Kandell, is interesting. Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller’s screenplay is interesting in parts but it tends to get monotonous as the drama moves on a single track. The musical songs entertain as they take the narrative forward. The tattooed characters coming alive from Maui’s body makes for cute viewing.
Catherine Laga’aia is natural in the title role. Dwayne Johnson is very endearing as Maui. His physique is fantastic. Rena Owen impresses as Moana’s grandmother. John Tui has his moments as Moana’s father and village chieftain. Frankie Adams is fair as Moana’s mother. Others are adequate.
Thomas Kail’s direction is nice. Mark Mancina’s music is very appealing and so is his background score. Óscar Faura’s cinematography is eye-pleasing. John Myhre’s production designing is appropriate. Melanie Oliver’s editing should’ve been sharper. Dubbing is proper.
On the whole, Moana is for kids mainly, and will do average business in Hindi. Business of the original English version will be better.
Released on 10-7-’26 at Movie Time Goregaon (in 3D; daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay by JioStar India Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: fair. Opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was below the mark at most of the places.