The December Comfort Watches 2025, Day Seven: Moana
I'm not unbiased in my thoughts about Moana, as my friend, the Oscar-nominated writer Pamela Ribon, helped write a significant chunk of this film's story. I found out about her involvement after the fact, by sitting in the theater and spotting her name in the credits, which I found amusing. How much Pamela's involvement raised my estimation of the film is hard to quantify, but I assure you, I liked it before knowing she was involved. So, there's my disclosure.
I genuinely enjoy Moana. It's my favorite film from Disney Animated Studios in the last decade, and it even surpasses Coco when considering Pixar (though Coco is wonderful and should be seen). Moana excels in both technical and storytelling aspects, but what I appreciate most is its subtle feminist and woman-forward approach, something Disney Animation has rarely achieved.
Disney has been exploring the 'girl power' theme for a while, especially since the Disney Renaissance era, which began with The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. The Disney canon is so saturated with these characters that they've become their own marketing category: The Disney Princesses. However, the issue with Disney Princesses is so apparent that Disney itself parodied it in Wreck It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet, written by Pamela Ribon.
Moana stands out among these 'princesses' as her journey intersects with men and patriarchy differently. Men are present and essential to her path, but she remains the captain of her fate. She self-motivates, self-rescues, and ultimately drives the story's resolution, all without relying on a man. It's not that Moana makes a big deal about it; there's no story-stopping 'girl power' moment, and the only person who calls her out as a princess is a dude, and it's never brought up again.
Moana's womanhood is never portrayed as a disadvantage. Early on, she's destined to be the next leader of her village, a role she accepts reluctantly. Her people have lived contentedly for centuries, but she sees her destiny beyond the island. This creates tension with her father, who wants her to focus on the present. The blight that hits the island, killing the fish and coconut palms, is a significant challenge. Moana learns from her grandmother that the blight is caused by Maui stealing the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, which pauses sailing between islands.
Interestingly, the film's problems and obstacles originate with men, and the women characters provide aid and advice. While the film doesn't dwell on this, both Maui and Moana's dad have understandable reasons for their actions. Men in the film are often supporting characters, and Maui, played by Dwayne Johnson, exemplifies this. Despite being in exile, Maui exudes 'main character energy' and doesn't care about Moana's resistance; he even sings a song about his awesomeness, which is perfect given his singing voice.
However, the story is Moana's, and Maui's journey is to learn that being of service doesn't fill a psychological void. Moana's journey is also about service, as she wants to save her island and people. She faces doubts and fears but remains determined, and no one else can do it. Her ability to heal what's broken is what saves her and everyone. This subtle storytelling approach is unique, as the 'big bad' isn't defeated or redeemed but restored, and the hero's reward is simply going home with the knowledge of a home to return to.
This hero's journey is different from the typical ones we see, and it's refreshing to see it when the hero is a woman. Mulan comes close, but her story is different. It's crucial that the filmmakers, despite not being Polynesian, actively consulted and collaborated with Polynesians and Pacific Islanders. They listened to various aspects, like Maui's appearance and Moana's respect for coconuts. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the marquee name for the movie's songwriting, collaborated with Opetaia Foaʻi, a Tokelauan-Tuvaluan composer and songwriter.
I haven't seen Moana's animated sequel from 2024, and I'm confused about Disney's decision to do a 'live-action' version of the story a decade after the animated movie. I don't plan to see the live-action version anytime soon. However, my appreciation for the original film remains unchanged. Disney doesn't need my opinion, but they got it right. Moana is the true queen among the Disney Princess movies.
