MOANA is a BEAUTIFUL STORY! (Movie Commentary)

My favorite thing about this movie is how actually historically accurate it really is. The Polynesians were amazing at sea voyaging and the suddenly stopped voyaging for about 2,000 years and no one exactly knows why (some believe El Niño was to blame) they stopped or why they started again when they did. Legends do base Maui and other gods for causing dangerous seas. This time period is known as the Long Pause.

"That's fucked, putting all your self worth just into your powers." Encanto: Allow me to introduce myself

Things I love about this movie: 1) They cast a teenage Polynesian girl to play a teenage Polynesian girl. 2) Moana being a woman has no bearing on whether or not she can lead her people. No patriarchal bullshit here. 3) There is no love interest, other than Moana's love for her people. 4) Moana puts her hair up when shit gets real. No beautiful flowing locks to get in the way because it's aesthetically pleasing. (Maui does too, btw). 5) The first thing Te Feti does after having her heart restored is take a nap. I respect that.

Funny that you mention water animation: When they were animating the water for Finding Nemo, they showed it to the boss, and they were told to do it all over. The reason? It was TOO realistic. They said if the waters too realistic, the audience would mistake it for a documentary, and fall asleep. Look how far they've come now.

You nailed it about how Te Ka was hurt and in pain and the resolution was achieved through healing not through a fight. Without fail, every single time I see the scene with Moana walking across the ocean floor to Te Ka and choosing to help her heal rather than fight her, I cry. The cinematography, the music, the message. Every single time lol

besides the music and the water, another thing that I love about how this movie's made is the animation of the hair!!! it looks super realistic, plus it gets wet and in the way and she has to put it up. I love that.

The 'final confrontation' walking shot is SO cinematic. How did this not get any sort of oscar?! But I really do adore this movie and I'm glad Encanto is on your list of films too!!

Dwayne Johnson's dad wasn't Samoan, his mom is. His dad was African American. They based the design off of traditional Samoan warriors, wrestlers etc. strong men types though. Saw in an interview that said that his image would be relatable because most families have uncles and dads that look like that. Not to mention it is more accurate to what a strength focused body type looks like, as opposed to the bodybuilder cut abs.

Why have I never noticed how similar Moana’s grandma and Mulan’s grandma are? And that they would totally be friends

Lin Manuel Miranda. What else can I say? Also the actress who voice acted Moana was only 14 like what?! With a powerful voice? And the grandmother is the iconic kooky old lady like Mulan’s grandma 😂😂 Hei Hei is also funny. It’s just a good movie 😅 the scene that stood out to me was when Moana sang “Know Who You Are” to Te Fiti, explaining this is not the real her. Fucking epic 👌🏼 reminds me of Moses.

Well, you seem to be on a Disney strike. Can't wait for Encanto.

Forget comparing it to “Let it Go”—look up the mashup of “How Far I’ll Go”/“Go the Distance”

Of all the newer aged Disney films, Moana definitely deserved all the hype it got, I'm super excited to watch this one! Cheers for another reaction vid you guys, best way to start off a ( very ) early week / Monday! 🥳

Maui’s design was based on The Rock’s grandfather, he was a Samoan wrestler, Peter Maivia - his father was also a wrestler but not Samoan by birth just adopted into the family when he married in. His father was Rocky Johnson, Rocky’s family actually joined the British as loyalists is the American revolution because they promised freedom to black people in America who joined them. Despite losing the war, his family were free and escaped to Canada. The Rock has two very exciting family legacies and a beautiful lineage from 3 cultures (he’s also of Irish descent like 1/8 or 1/16 now but it’s something). I like my older wrestlers so I read up a lot years ago.

Loving the Disney film commentaries! Fun fact; Lin wrote Shiny but deliberately in Jermaine's style for him. He's amazing like that in his song-writing. Would love to see you two take on Encanto, Lin's latest Disney film; it's a heart puller and tear jerker for sure! If you're taking requests I would love to see you two react to Dreamwork's 'Rise of the Guardians' (with badass fighting Santa Claus and Easter Bunny) or Disney's underrated lesser known films like 'Treasure Planet', 'Atlantis the Lost Empire' or (my personal favourite) 'Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey'.

It does kinda sound like let it go. I never even realize that… but I did see a mashup with go the distance that was super cool!!! Great video boys!! Hope Encanto is coming soon 👀

The storytelling, the characters, the visuals, the songs... All gorgeous and sublime. Lin Manuel Miranda has proved that everything he touches turns to gold! 🥰

Sam: “We’re in sync.” Stef: (automatically sings a NSync song) Thank you for making our Sunday! 😂

David Bowie was originally supposed to voice Tamatoa, but he passed away before he could finish his lines. They did manage to record the song though and it's on YouTube.

Fun fact, there really is an island that has the shape of Te Fiti lying down and it’s located in French Polynesia ! It’s Huahine and it really is a beautiful island.