Reviews: Moana

Moana has gotten a lot of praise for showing Polynesian culture, but does it really get it right? Disney worked with experts from the Pacific Islands to make sure they were respectful of Polynesian traditions. The film highlights things like traditional navigation and the importance of community. It also shows visuals inspired by Polynesian islands, like the canoes and tropical landscapes.

But, the film isn't a perfect representation of one specific Polynesian culture. Polynesia includes many different islands, each with its own traditions, and Moana mixes elements from several of them. Some people argue that this makes the culture seem too simplified and that the movie doesn’t touch on bigger issues Polynesian communities face, like colonization or losing their land.

Moana does a good job of showing Polynesian culture in a positive light, but it’s still just a fictional story and doesn't cover the full diversity of the culture. It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s not the whole picture.