We had a Native American, Chinese, and African American princess and now we have a Pacifica princess. And she doesn’t need no man or demigod to help her. 

 

Moana, daughter of chief Tui, embarks on a journey to return the heart of goddess Te Fitti from Maui, a demigod, after the plants and the fish on her island start dying due to a blight.

 

I remember being in the screening for this film and the majority of the audience was Pacific Islanders. The look of pure joy on the young girls faces - seeing someone that looked like them in an animated film will stay with me for the rest of my life - it was a beautiful thing to behold. 

 

It wasn’t just having representation on the screen but seeing a young, Pacifica girl grab her destiny by both hands having to navigate cultural and family ties was incredible. The songs are incredibly catchy especially Moana’s central song ‘How Far I’ll Go’. 

 

Stunning animation (the detail of Moana and Maui’s hair - A - MAZE - ING!), great songs, and a superb message make Moana a Disney film not to be missed.