The whole Polynesian culture, faith and seafaring traditions included and explored generously but in a way that feels part of the story rather than just thrown in, and while there are elements that reminds one of Disney past and present this feels more affectionate than Disney just running out of ideas. The story is, while not exactly original, beautifully paced and enthralling.

Throughout there are many opportunities to laugh, cry and be inspired. There is something for everybody, never too complicated for children and never too childish for adults, tonally it's focused throughout, and it's very witty and thought-provoking. Scripting-wise, 'Moana' encompassed a wide emotional range within me. 'We Know the Way' sends chills up the spine. 'Shiny' is deliciously kooky and like something that David Bowie would be proud of, Jemaine Clement sings the heck out of it. 'You're Welcome' sees Dwayne Johnson showing a quite wide range of emotions through a surprisingly good singing voice. 'How Far I'll Go' is an 'I want' sort of song that's infectious, heartfelt and inspiring. Likewise with the songs, which are along with 'Frozen' the best and most consistent set of songs from a Disney film since 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'. Love the evocative orchestration and instrumentation, with its seamless blend of South Pacific Culture, pop and Broadway. The soundtrack has garnered a huge amount of praise, and for good reason. The attention to detail is impossible to fault, whether it's the water, the trees or even Maui's tattoos, while the colours just pop out at you and everything is immaculately detailed with not an ounce of artificiality in the backgrounds, further boasting visually stunning sequences such as the climax, 'We Know the Way', 'Shiny' and with the coconut pirates. Disney's best-looking film in a long time and one of their best-ever looking films, not just this but perhaps the most visually exquisite animated film this year in a year that also saw 'Your Name', 'Kubo' and 'Zootropolis' and even one of the year's best-looking films. There have been criticisms regarding a formulaic story, HeiHei the chicken being irritating and the portrayal of Maui being stereotypical, but these were criticisms that didn't bother me at all. It was however difficult to fault 'Moana', because of how many things it did right and how brilliantly the things it did right were executed. Maybe the momentum dips ever so slightly going into the final act, Maui's change of heart is a touch rushed and for me there was no real point to the pig character that induced more unintentional awkwardness than amusement. Of the '2nd Renaissance'/'Disney Revival' period, 'Moana' is up there with the best of them and as one of Disney's best in about twenty years. 'Enchanted' and 'The Princess and the Frog' saw a return to form, while the likes of 'Tangled', 'Wreck It Ralph', 'Zootropolis' (aka 'Zootopia') and 'Frozen' were even better and there was a lot to like too about 'Big Hero 6'. They've done many classics, their best revolutionary, though they had hit and miss periods in the 80s and the 2000s.

Despite being a lifelong Disney fan, that is not to say that everything they've done is great.

Moana full movie 2016 free online