Can’t Wait to See 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

• “What a Wonderful World.”

My favorite song of all time is “What a Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole or known as “Iz.” The music of this ukelele-playing singer from Hawaii makes me feel like I’m immersed in another culture.

• Lava.

When I think about my response to Lava, the short introduced before Inside Out, it’s no wonder I’m about to bust a gut to see Moana. The “Lava” song melts my heart. I find myself singing it at the most unexpected times as like a pick-me-up.

 I have a dream I hope will come true
That you’ll grow old with me and I’ll grow old with you
We thank the earth, sea, the sky we thank too
I lava you.