Disney’s live-action Moana arrives only ten years after the animated original, which makes it very easy to question why this version exists at all. That was certainly where I was before watching it. The original film still feels recent, Moana 2 only arrived two years ago, and Disney’s live-action remake run has not exactly made a strong case for revisiting every animated favourite. Yet, against expectations, this new Moana works surprisingly well.
Directed by Thomas Kail, the film stays very close to the 2016 story while giving the world of Motunui a new scale. Catherine Laga’aia makes an impressive screen debut as Moana, Dwayne Johnson fully commits to bringing Maui into live action, and the familiar songs still carry much of the emotion. It does not replace the animated film, nor does it completely escape the usual question of whether a remake was needed. But it captures enough of the warmth and adventure of the original to justify its place alongside it.
Catherine Laga’aia Is A Strong New Moana
The biggest success is Catherine Laga’aia, who gives Moana plenty of personality and carries the film with confidence. She is playing a character audiences already know well, but still makes the role feel like her own, especially when Moana is torn between the life expected of her and her need to follow the ocean.
Her performance of “How Far I’ll Go” is one of the film’s first real highlights. The song remains one of Disney’s strongest modern numbers, and Laga’aia gives it the emotion it needs without trying to copy the animated version too closely. She also brings a clear sense of curiosity to Moana, which helps ground the bigger fantasy elements. Even when she is standing opposite fully digital characters or reacting to an ocean created through visual effects, the character still feels present.
Dwayne Johnson Fully Commits To Maui
Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui always felt like the safest part of the casting. In the live action, Johnson completely commits to Maui’s confidence and need for attention, while also giving the character a little more edge. He is never afraid to embrace the sillier side of the role, whether that means moving tattoos, magical transformations or a chicken constantly getting into trouble. “You’re Welcome” remains one of the film’s most entertaining musical moments.
His chemistry with Laga’aia also gives the middle of the film plenty of energy, particularly when Moana refuses to be impressed by him. Their relationship is the heart of the adventure. Maui repeatedly tries to take control, while Moana continues to challenge him and refuses to give up on the mission. That back-and-forth works, even when the story around them feels very familiar.
The Film Stays Very Close To The Original
Anyone hoping for a major reinvention may be disappointed, because this Moana follows the animated film very closely. Moana leaves Motunui to find Maui and return the heart of Te Fiti after darkness begins spreading across the ocean. Along the way, they encounter the Kakamora, Tamatoa and Te Kā before Moana discovers what it truly means to be a wayfinder. There are a few additions and small changes, but the film is clearly designed to preserve what audiences already loved. That faithfulness is both a strength and a weakness.
The familiar songs and emotional moments still work, particularly Moana’s connection with her grandmother Tala, played with warmth by Rena Owen. John Tui and Frankie Adams also bring real care to Moana’s parents, Chief Tui and Sina. At the same time, there are moments where the live-action version feels as though it is recreating scenes rather than discovering anything new within them. The opening on Motunui takes a little time to settle, and some of the group musical sequences do not move quite as smoothly as they did in animation. Once Moana reaches the ocean, however, the film finds a better rhythm.
The Visual Effects Mostly Work
A large part of Moana remains digital, which raises the usual question around how “live action” these remakes really are. The ocean itself is a character, Maui’s tattoos move across his body, Tamatoa is a giant treasure-covered crab, and the Kakamora remain tiny coconut pirates. There was never going to be a version of this story that avoided extensive visual effects. Fortunately, most of it works. The ocean feels expressive without becoming distracting, and Maui’s transformations retain the humour of the original. Tamatoa’s sequence is also one of the film’s visual highlights, with Jemaine Clement returning to perform “Shiny.”
Some of the open-ocean scenes still have that familiar green-screen flatness, particularly when Moana and Maui spend long stretches aboard the boat. The effects are strongest when the film embraces the more playful side of the world rather than trying to make everything look realistic. The location work gives Motunui a stronger presence, while the costume design adds detail without making the island feel over-designed.
The Music Still Carries The Story
The songs remain a major part of why Moana works. Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina created a soundtrack that has aged very well, and the live-action cast handles the material with confidence. “How Far I’ll Go” remains the standout, but “You’re Welcome” and “Shiny” also translate well into the new format. The music brings personality to scenes that may otherwise feel overly familiar.
The film does not attempt to radically rearrange the soundtrack or give every song a new identity. Instead, it trusts the original material, which is probably the right decision.
Was A Live-Action Moana Needed?
Probably not.
The animated film is still widely loved, and ten years is not a particularly long gap between versions. The release of Moana 2 also means the character has barely been away from our screen. That makes this one of Disney’s most obviously commercial remakes. However, there is enough heart in Laga’aia’s performance and enough commitment from Johnson to stop the film feeling like a hollow recreation. It may not bring many new ideas, but it does not lose what made the original special either.
For CultureCues, we went into this one feeling sceptical and came out pleasantly surprised. Catherine Laga’aia is a lovely new Moana, Dwayne Johnson is clearly having fun as Maui, and the songs still work exactly as they should. It may be too soon and it may be familiar, but this is an enjoyable return to Motunui that captures the heart of the original. We did not expect to be quite so ready to sail again.
CultureCues Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
Moana is in UK cinemas from 10 July 2026.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.