MOANA

          This may be one of the most boring & predictable...REVIEW (not movie) - you will see from me. Because the feeling that I have watching this film is almost the same as most of the Disney animation films that came out recently (Tangled, Frozen, Zootopia, etc). Everything you'd expect them to get right, they did. And the talent on board really brings the best out of the film, with proven Disney directors Ron Clements & John Musker (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin) and music with the collaboration of the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda.

            One of the best things about recent Disney animations has always been characters. In Moana, this film has a very strong & relatable lead protagonist, and her interactions & dynamic with Maui is fun to watch. It becomes so easy to be invested with your lead character when the problems that they face is something so relatable. 

               From there, its down to the plot to take the character to different places and different situations. And I have to say, the plot didn't disappoint. There is a certain arc that Moana goes through, and it is fun to watch her deal with different situations in her own unique way.

              And like Tangled & Frozen, this film really has some excellent original songs. These songs are nice to hear, and even better when seen in the context of the film. They really enhance the emotions of the scenes, and when they're this good (thanks to the talent of Lin-Manuel Miranda and co.), it elevates the feels of the film significantly.

              And while there is no doubt in the talents of directors Ron Clements & John Musker, and the voice of Dwayne Johnson, there is one unknown talent in this film - and that is lead voice actress Auli'i Cravalho. She is a revelation! For one, her singing voice is excellent. But more than that, she is excellent with her character emotions, and to be specific, I like the scenes where she reacts frustrated/angered by Maui's actions.

              The film is not absolutely perfect because there is a scene which I don't quite like which has a song that doesn't fit in. But apart from that one small blip, I really enjoyed the rest of the film a lot. I was very much emotionally invested with the film and with the characters, and with such excellent characters & interactions, and some brilliant songs along the way, this film is yet another brilliant Disney animation film!

VERDICT: 88/100

              It is, like most other Disney animation films, a highly recommended film to watch!