Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Moana Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 2, 2017

Though Disney regularly releases animated films, it's not a factory. It's instead an environment that produces genuine one-of-a-kind movie experiences that may occasionally share core concepts or themes but almost every one of them feels unique, purposeful in their own ways, memorable beyond their core production concepts and characters. Whether cherished, timeless classics or brand-new masterpieces that have left an indelible mark on both popular culture and on the heart, the studio always does its due diligence in making movies that are as finely intimate as they are grandly spectacular. Moana is the latest, and it's certainly not an exception. Beautifully assembled and telling an exciting, large-in-scope story of inward and outward discovery, it champions comfortable but critical themes in a breathtaking world where the most impressive magic comes from within.

Cue The Wind Waker Music.

A young girl with an adventurous spirit named Moana (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) is chosen to take possession of the ancient stone of Te Fiti, a powerful symbol lost to the sea many years ago. But Moana's father (voiced by Temuera Morrison) deems her too young to venture beyond the shores. She loses the symbol, it seemingly returning to its watery resting place. As the years pass, Moana matures and still yearns to escape the island's confines. And her father still rejects the notion. But her grandmother Tala (voiced by Rachel House) encourages her dreams, teaches her of her land's and people's true history, and sets her off on an adventure to return the stone, which she has kept hidden for years, to its rightful owner. Along the way, Moana meets Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson), an ancient demigod warrior, and eventually convinces him to aid her in her journey and the two embark on a dangerous quest that will lead them to the powerful dark monster, Te Kā.

Moana is, in many ways, a typical Disney animated feature. There's plenty of song and dance and music that help propel the narrative forward while lyrically establishing the world and characters and motivations. Several colorful animal sidekicks are featured. Even many of the core themes aren't a revelation. But it's all done remarkably well, the latter in particular, which is of course the movie's integral element but one that's been finely interwoven through all of the color, the world, the humor, all the little support bits that harmoniously jive with the animation and music. The movie easily blends its themes with well-realized, excitingly executed, and visually spectacular action. It's often larger-than-life, literally and metaphorically, and set against a wondrous world of natural beauty that's hard to claim isn't the most visually arresting Disney has ever created, even considering some of the spectacular locations from movies like Beauty and the Beast. The digital animation is top-notch, managing to blend cutting-edge technology with that classic, timeless Disney look and feel. Characters are complex, their worlds breathtaking, their actions purposeful and exciting. It's a complete package, not a repackage, even as those themes are more fundamentally purposeful than they are contextually revelatory.

Indeed, the movie's core themes are its driving force, what sets it in motion, what's truly explored, what defines it. There's plenty of adventure on tap, but the story is more about the inward adventure of self-discovery, of confidence, of understanding one's place in the world as it is battling enemies in new and exciting locations. Metaphors abound throughout the film, about what makes an individual who they are -- something internal or something external? -- and what they're capable of accomplishing alone and together alike. The story explores the inherent good inside, a concept that becomes abundantly clear as the film moves forward. Its life-lessons on individuality may in some ways remind viewers of what The LEGO Movie has to say on the subject, but Moana's filmmaking team has made it all feel fresh with new and exciting characters, a remarkable world, a movie that leaves a lasting impression on all fronts and embodies everything that's good about the classic Disney film in a brand-new, cutting-edge way.

Character voice work is at the top of the industry's game, too, with leads Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, the latter perfectly cast as the mythical, musclebound hero Maui, leading the way. The actors bring a sense of real, organic life to the parts, moving beyond vocal recreation and offering nuanced reflection along the road to discovery that, in conjunction with the gorgeous visuals, timeless themes, and high-energy story and song and dance, create full-bodied characters who are much more than the sum of their external pieces and instead fully defined individuals who don't simply learn through the film but integrate what they learn into the adventure and their lives.

Moana Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Moana's 1080p transfer is flat-out gorgeous, maybe one of the most vibrant the format has seen. Colors are resplendent. Blue waters sparkle and natural greens are lush, both standing apart against many of the earthier tones that define much of the rest of the environments. Beyond that, fiery oranges dazzle and leap off the screen. Support colors -- Moana's multicolored pet, for example -- shine. Color saturation, balance, and brilliance are all in order. The image is sharp and revealing. The Blu-ray presents the animation's most intimate natural and character textures with amazing efficiency and clarity. Environments are crisp, characters well defined and organic. Hair flows with incredible precision, seemingly down to individual curls or strands. Woods, woven rugs, attire, sandy beaches, every element the film has on offer dazzles. Blacks are healthy and deep. Artifacts are zero. The image is flat-out tremendous, maybe the finest certainly in the animated realm and easily one of the top on the format. One can only wonder how a higher resolution UHD with HDR colors could have improved on it (get on board, Disney!).

Moana Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Moana sails onto Blu-ray with a high-yield DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. That track presents with effortless travel throughout the stage. Music, effects, and support pieces are positioned and presented as well as can be expected. Ocean water, calm and raging alike, flows through with every drop accounted for and properly positioned. The musical presentation is powerful but precise. Instrumental and vocal clarity are terrific, with power and finer-note definition reproduced in sensational harmony. The low end is particularly healthy and robust, though the track's action scenes -- a raging storm, a combination of thunder, driving rain, and crashing waves -- could stand to power out a little more raw aggression. Still, surrounds are used extensively to capture the most dynamic action or the most subtle atmospherics, both presenting with seamless immersion and accurate placement. Dialogue delivery is center positioned, well prioritized, and always cleanly delivered.

Moana Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Moana contains two short films, some technical behind-the-scenes features, deleted scenes, a commentary track, and more. A DVD copy of the film and a Disney digital copy voucher are included with purchase.

• Theatrical Short Film: Inner Workings (1080p, DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1): The filmmakers discuss their short (0:48), and the film follows (6:26). The movie is a fun and interesting take on life and daily routine.
• Maui Mini-Movie: Gone Fishing (1080p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 2:29): Maui finds catching his meal a little harder than anticipated.
• Voice of the Islands (1080p, 31:13): The filmmakers discuss how their trip to the Pacific Islands changed them and their approach to the film. The piece explores the area's geography, history, culture, the inhabitants' outlook on life, and much, much more. The piece weaves together what becomes a documentary on life and the people in the region which ties back into the film rather than looking at the film first and the people second. This is a piece that's suitable for the classroom.
• Things You Didn't Know About... (1080p): A two-part feature.
• Ron, John, Auli'i & Dwayne (2:02): The film's directors and primary voice actors share some fun facts: favorite foods, the day's breakfast, sleep habits, and more.
• Mark, Opetaia, & Lin-Manuel (1:57): The film's musicians answer some rapid-fire questions: what's for breakfast, fun facts, favorite Disney theme park ride, sleeping habits, and a what-if question.
• Island Fashion (1080p, 5:13): Neysa Bové discusses the challenges and specifics of costuming the characters.
• The Elements Of... (1080p): A four-part feature.
• Mini-Maui (3:34): The filmmakers discuss making one of the film's smaller stars.
• Water (4:38): A discussion of the effects that created one of the film's key early moments and new technologies utilized to make more convincing digital water.
• Lava (2:56): The challenge of making one of the film's critical and unique characters.
• Hair (3:05): As the title suggests, this piece looks at digitally animated complex character hair. A whole lot more goes into it than one might imagine!
• They Know the Way: Making the Music of Moana (1080p, 12:37): An in-depth discussion of the film's music.
• Deleted Song: "Warrior Face" with Introduction by Songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda (1080p, 3:41): The song is presented against basic animation.
• Fishing for Easter Eggs (1080p, 2:52): Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson host a quick tour of some of the film's hidden secrets.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 25:56 total runtime): Grandmother's Warning/Legend of Maui; Canoe Race; Father, Daughter, Boat; Education of Moana; Discussing Moana's Future; Race the Wind/Ties That Bind; and Under the Sea. Included are optional introductions by Directors John Musker and Ron Clements.
• "How Far I'll Go" Performed by Alessia Cara (1080p, 3:04): A music video.
• "How Far I'll Go" Around the World (1080p, 2:44): The song seamlessly performed in multiple languages.
• Audio Commentary: Directors John Musker and Ron Clements discuss project origins, evolution, music, visual style, research, characters, performances, animation, and even an ex-Pittsburgh Steeler cameo. The track is thorough and enjoyable. Fans will find it to be of good value and worth the time.

Moana Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Moana is a great film. There's nary a misstep to be found. It covers all the bases: it's colorful and buoyant enough for the kids, meaty enough for the adults, richly animated and realized, strongly voiced, gorgeously presented...it's hard to find any fault worth noting. Disney's Blu-ray is equally exhilarating, boasting one of the best 1080p transfers on the market, a solid 7.1 lossless soundtrack, and a hearty allotment of extras that offer a good mix of kid fluff and insightful adult-oriented content. Moana earns my highest recommendation.