Could the New Moana Surpass the Original?

After the vibrant 2016 animated film, the live-action adaptation naturally raises expectations for a fresh take on the story. However, Moana (2026) stays remarkably close to the original. The main events, characters, jokes, and musical numbers remain almost the same. At times, it feels like watching the beloved animated film with real actors instead of animation.

Catherine Laga'aia fits the role of Moana beautifully. Her performance makes the character feel lively, energetic, and convincing, and her acting debut leaves a strong impression. Dwayne Johnson also returns as Maui, and his charisma works particularly well in the comedic scenes.

The atmosphere deserves special mention. The ocean, tropical islands, boats, costumes, and Polynesian culture are given a new visual interpretation. The film looks grand and cinematic, although the extensive use of CGI sometimes makes the world feel overly digital. In some scenes, the animated version actually feels more expressive and magical.

If you remember the original well, there will be very few surprises. It is difficult to call the film bad — it is beautiful, dynamic, features charismatic characters, and has a strong soundtrack. Still, after watching it, one question remains: what exactly does this new version add to a story that was already complete?