Moana (2016)

Written by Jared Bush

Directed by Ron Clements & John Musker

It feels strangely appropriate that this film, the end of this marathon, brings us full circle, with a princess film. 79 years separate Snow White and Moana, and it’s been immeasurably interesting to watch the form of the full-length animated film evolve to today.

Moana

The most obvious evolution is the quality (and method) of animation. Snow White’s animation was fully hand-drawn, Moana’s is computer generated. I don’t think one is superior over the other, but I will say that the animation in Moana is absolutely gorgeous. The colors are rich, the textures are detailed, and the lines are crisp and clear. The film makes the most of its Pacific Ocean setting and delivers a visually stunning work of art. Of note is the beautifully rendered water that is visible in nearly every shot.

Grandmother Tala

The story is engaging, and features a protagonist that is headstrong (like most Disney Princesses), but instantly likable. Maui is funny, even if his shtick gets a little bit old. My favorite character in the film is Tala, Moana’s grandmother, who is so warm and maternal that she effortlessly brings a smile when she is on screen. And, of course, the pig Pua is pretty adorable.

A much weaker character is that of Tamatoa, a giant coconut crab who also has the worse song of the score (there is DEFINITELY a trend of mid-film songs being pretty terrible). Also, the character of Heihei is funny, but nothing is ever actually done with him; he’s really just there to set up a joke about Moana being a princess.

I mentioned Tamatoa’s song, but the rest of the music is much better. Lin-Manuel Miranda contributed to the score (but luckily only sings in one number). The score may not be as instantly memorable as some other Disney classics yet (“How Far I’ll Go” wants to be “Let It Go” or “I See The Light”, but doesn’t quite make it there), but it’s catchy, and I always find myself humming it for a few days every time I watch it.

Moana, like us, looks to the future

Moana might mark the end of this marathon, but it’s certainly not the end of Walt Disney Feature Animation, with many films in the works (although, granted, the next two films are sequels, not original films). It’s been a pleasure to watch these 56 films, and while not all of them have quite stood up to the test of time, each one provides an important marker in the evolutionary journey of an animated feature. I think that Walt would be proud of how far it’s gone.

FINAL GRADE: A-