Moana debuts in theaters on November 23rd. I have to admit, I don’t know what I’m more excited about: the voice talents involved or the music? Maybe BOTH. With Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Lin-Manuel Miranda and introducing Auli‘i Cravalho , this trinity of talent is sure to make Moana a surefire hit! I’m planning on charting a course for the movie theater on Thanksgiving weekend because here comes Moana.

Make way for Disney’s newest heroine: Moana sails into theaters November 23. So let’s get ready together by talking about the story line, the music, and why this movie is so anticipated.
Moana: The Story
Disney sets the scene for us:
“For centuries, the greatest sailors in the world masterfully navigated the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, 3,000 years ago, their voyages stopped for a millennium – and no one knows exactly why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes Moana, a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people.
Inexplicably drawn to the ocean, Moana (voice of Auliʻi Cravalho) convinces the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) to join her mission, and he reluctantly helps her become a wayfinder like her ancestors who sailed before her. Together, they voyage across the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills her quest and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity.”
It’s fitting that the title of the movie is Moana because the name means “ocean, wide expanse of water, deep sea” in Maori and Hawaiian.
Hey, I’m bound to love Moana because she’s a fellow traveler. Sounds like she’s also got lots of moxie. Disney movies do a wonderful job of creating such strong, capable female characters. No doubt Moana will continue that tradition. As for Maui, well any character voiced by Dwayne Johnson is A-OK in my book. He has the most mesmerizing voice!
Moana: The Music
No movie truly shines without a great soundtrack, and I can’t wait for this one to release on November 18 because of three words: Lin-Manuel Miranda. (Wait, is that considered 2 words?)
The team behind Moana’s music includes Tony®- and Grammy®-winning songwriter/composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who counts among his credits Broadway’s Pulitzer Prize-winning and multiple Tony-winning Hamilton and the Tony-winning In the Heights. The creative team also includes three-time Grammy®-winning composer Mark Mancina (Speed, Tarzan and Training Day) and Opetaia Foa‘i, the founder and lead singer of Te Vaka, a winner of numerous world music awards. The Moana soundtrack features 14 tracks, including seven original songs and a full original score.
I’m so inspired by this musical maestro that I wrote a rap about him:
Read him his Miranda rights
He did Hamilton and In the Heights
His raps are always slick and tight
And now on Moana he’s set his sights
Picking a favorite might start a fight
So I’m saying this with all my might
I’m sure the music will be a delight
We’ll be talking about the songs through the night.
Now we know why he does what he does and why I DON’T! I can’t believe I have several friends who are heading to LA this weekend for the Moana press event and will get to MEET him and ask him questions!
Moana: Pulling at My Polynesian Heartstrings