For my money, Moana won Day 1 of D23 EXPO. Why? The Rock, pure and simple.
Moana seeks to be an authentic representation of the people, culture and music of the South Pacific, and comes from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules and Princess and the Frog directors John Musker and Ron Clements, produced by Osnat Shurer.
Its clear that Disney Animation takes their music heritage seriously, and with Moana, they sought a modern, classical sound, combined with the foot-tapping roots music of the South Pacific. Musker and Clements announced the team that would be bringing that to the big screen: Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Broadway hit Hamilton), Grammy winner Mark Mancina (The Lion King) and Opetaia Foa’i (the lead singer of globally recognized Te Vaka).
(ABC/Image Group LA)
Moana is set 2,000 years ago. The people of the South Pacific consider themselves the world’s greatest navigators, able to sail the open sea without any instruments, by “dead reckoning.” This practice stopped 3,000 years ago, and picked back up 2,000 years ago, and the reason for the 1,000 year gap is a mystery. Moana seeks to explain it, picking up when this magical voyaging has stopped, and the Princess Moana seeks to restart the tradition, seeking to become a Wayfinder for her people. She’s rebuffed by her father, Chief Tui, and allied with Grandma Tala. Another key figure in the film is Maui, a superhero of the South Pacific lore, a warrior with tattoos that come to life, and a mythical fish hook.
(ABC/Image Group LA)
Who else could play Maui than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who took the stage to graciously accept his place in the Disney family, a goal that he had ever since he started his career. Moana is “my heritage, my culture.” He’s half Samoan and half black, and deemed it a great honor to be able to tell this story.
Maui is a demigod who can raise islands up from the ocean with his fish hook. Born human and raised by the Gods and stuck somewhere in the middle (a legend that sounds eerily similar to Hercules, another mythic figure Johnson is familiar with), Maui is sort of lost when we find him in Moana. Because of his upbringing, he’s been unable to find his true self, and according to Johnson, Moana might help him find it.
(ABC/Image Group LA)
Together, along with Pua, an adorable pet piglet who absolutely will sell ALL the toys, and Hei Hei, a cranky rooster, the foursome will seek a long lost island to connect with Moana’s far flung ancestors and save her people, presumably resurrecting the lost art of Wayfinding.
(ABC/Image Group LA)
Along the way, Moana and company will travel into the Oceanic underworld, facing a vengeful land spirit in the form of a volcanic guardian of Tafiti (said long lost island). After watching a test animation of the Evil Lava Lady, it’s obvious Moana is another hit.
(ABC/Image Group LA)
In addition to this motley crew, the Pacific Ocean will also be a character in the proceedings. Through their research, it was obvious that the Pacific Ocean is revered in the South Pacific, and that the body of water is treated like a person, and we saw a scene with Baby Moana collecting sea shells with the help of a playful Pacific Ocean, and the result made The Rock and 76% of the audience cry.
(ABC/Image Group LA)
If that wasn’t enough, Moana‘s segment of the proceedings ended with a rollicking performance by Foa’i and his band.
Unfortunately we’ll have to wait for November 23, 2016 for the whole experience. But given our D23 flavored sample, I’m betting big things on Moana.