Moana

August 21 – 27

Fri Aug 21 – 3:30 & 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 22 – 1:30 & 7:00 pm
Sun Aug 23 – 1:30 & 7:00 pm
Mon Aug 24 – 7:00 pm
Tues Aug 25 – 7:00 pm
Wed Aug 26 – 3:30 pm
Thurs Aug 27 – 1:30 & 7:00 pm LAST SHOW

Rated PG – 1hr 55min
Family / Musical / Adventure / Live Action

In Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Laga’aia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. A beautifully rendered live-action adaptation of the 2016 classic, Moana faithfully delivers the beloved story, enhanced by a handful of surprises and culturally resonant touches that add depth and authenticity.

Screenwriter Jared Bush modifies his original script, Broadway stage veteran Thomas Kail makes his movie directing debut and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s songs are revived. Nineteen-year-old Australian Samoan actor Catherine Laga’aia takes the role of Moana, the headstrong teen daughter of a Polynesian chief; her wise and kindly grandma Tala, who recognises Moana’s heroic leadership destiny, is played by New Zealand actor Rena Owen.

Moana has to go on a quest to restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, the lack of which is causing an eco-crisis on her home island of Motunui. To do this, she must join forces with the swaggeringly arrogant demigod Maui, in which role Dwayne Johnson returns in his own actual person, which is almost as cartoonishly muscly and vast as the animated version. Maui has a spurious quest of his own, to retrieve the hook which is the source of his power and to do this he must confront his own nemesis. This is the giant crab Tamatoa, which as before is voiced by Jemaine Clement.

There is some pretty funny stuff from Johnson here, certainly, and there’s a nice enough rapport between him and his young co-star. It’s refreshing to have a courageous and dedicated female lead whose story is not resolved by romance, and a villain who turns out to be more of a problem to be solved than an evil to be vanquished.

Director Thomas Kail’s live-action remake of Disney’s 2016 animated Moana is very entertaining, with gorgeous visuals, great songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Dwayne Johnson and Jemaine Clement reprising their roles as demigod Maui and giant monster crab Tamatoa. Johnson, Miranda, and original voice of Moana Auli’i Cravalho were also producers of the remake, ensuring it faithfully preserves every detail of the original to satisfy fans and attract new ones. (Cravalho also sings a new song over the end credits.)

In one of the all-time great “I wish” songs for all heroines in musicals, teenage Moana (winsome Catherine Laga’aia) sings about longing to see how far she can go. When the island begins to suffer blight, with the coconut trees withering and no fish in the reef, Moana’s grandmother (Rena Owen) takes her to a secret cave, revealing that their people were once voyagers who sailed beyond the reef to explore the world. Moana takes one of the ships to find Maui and have him return Te Fiti’s heart so the islands will begin to thrive again.  Her googly-eyed pet rooster, Heihei, comes along.

Moana is a Disney live-action remake that escapes the Disney live-action remake blues — in fact, it soars above them. The remake stays faithful to the original story and its cultural elements. Perhaps that works in its favour because the animated film remains just as relevant in 2026 as it was when it first released and its emotional core continues to connect with audiences.