Moana and Maui
The Story Plot
When I watched the film, I absolutely pag-ibig how the film opens. I felt that it was trying to be a bit like nagyelo where we hear Scandinavian music at the beginning of the film, so to keep that same tradition. Disney used Polynesian music at the beginning of the film, I pag-ibig how the prologue is very Polynesian-oriented and I adored the artwork!
The film reminds me of a few films, Treasure Planet, Ferngully and The Firebird from Fantasia 2000. I will explain that later on how this film is connected to these 3 films.
The Characters
Moana is actually my favourite character following Anna & Elsa from Frozen, in fact she reminds of Princess Merida, Ariel and Anna because they're fiercely independent, headstrong and their great curiosity!
Her dad, Chief Toi is combination of reyna Elinor and King Triton, especially the latter because of their overprotective tendencies towards their loved ones. Unlike King Triton, he's not violent despite that he nearly was going to destroy the ships before being informed that his mother is on her deathbed.
Speaking of her, I pag-ibig her eccentricity because she provides comic relief at the beginning prior to her death and is very supportive of Moana alongside her daughter-in-law, even going as far as to appear as a spirit to remind her of her duties.
Maui is another interesting character that I grew a liking on. I pag-ibig how funny and yet selfish at the same time when we met him, I was really taken aback that Dwayne Johnson could sing! I pag-ibig how he actually forgive Moana and help her later on when she was on a segundo attempt to stop Te Ka alone!
Finally, Tamatoa is one of favourite funny villains I like. When he sings his song, he reminds me of Elton John due to the way he sings and his voice as well. Also, Sven the reindeer from nagyelo makes a cameo appearance when Maui uses his magical hook after so many years of not using it in that same scene!
Visual Effects
I pag-ibig how the film took inspiration from The Life of Pi, especially the ocean where we see glowing mga hayop and it makes the film very lively. So kudos to Ron Clement, John Musker and John Lasseter!
Movie Connections
As I promised, the film makes a number of references to nakaraan Disney and Non-Disney films alike, both the prologue and Te Ka reminds me of Ferngully. So I would not be surprise at all sa pamamagitan ng this!
The scene where Maui teaches Moana to sail reminds me of Jim and John Silver in Treasure Planet in a similar scene. Both Maui and John Silver serve as a fatherly figure to the main protagonist, the only difference is that Moana's dad is around while Jim's father left the family when Jim was a little boy.
The final scene with Te Ka reminds me of the Lord of the Rings and the Firebird from Fantasia 2000, because it was like destroying the ring! Whereas in Moana, it was restoring the puso to Te Ka and it reverts back to Te Fiti. Whom she reminds me of the giant version of the Sprite from 'The Firebird Suite' in Fantasia 2000.
The Songs & Musical Scores
I really pag-ibig the songs, and Moana's song How Far I'll Go is actually better than the Godly overrated Let It Go and My puso will Go On from nagyelo and James Cameron's Titanic respectively despite that the former is my favourite. But it also eerily has the same tempo as For the First Time in Forever!
When I heard the song at the ending credits, I kept thinking it was Miley Cyrus pag-awit it. But it is actually Alessia Cara!
Mark Mancina had previously done Tarzan back in 1999, so his musical style sounds similar!
Some Enchanted Evening
Spoiler alerts! For those who haven't seen it yet, this film is definitely a strong recommendation and a great introduction to Polynesian culture.
Hi Moana, how are you?
