Moana Live-Action Trailer: A Faithful Remake… With a Very Questionable Maui

[Blaire Courttney]

The Maui suit is giving me secondhand embarrassment. It doesn't move right, the proportions are off, and the wig is straight comedy. Everything else in the trailer looks expensive and pretty. Moana actress has good screen presence. But man, they really should've redesigned him for live action instead of forcing the cartoon look. Still buying a ticket though.

 

[Terry Beetle]

They had one job: don't make Maui look like a inflatable pool toy with a bad toupee. And they failed spectacularly. The suit puffs in all the wrong places and the hair is tragic. Trailer otherwise looks solid – nice shots, good music callbacks, Catherine seems capable. But every time Maui shows up it's like watching a mascot try to act. Disney playing it too safe again.

 

[Carly]

I watched the trailer and I feel mixed about it. I like the original Moana a lot, so part of me is happy to see the story again with real actors. The ocean and island look very nice, and I think Catherine Lagaʻaia looks serious and believable as Moana. But I also feel like I already saw this movie before. Almost every scene feels the same, just with more detail. I was hoping they would change something small, maybe give Moana a different challenge or new moments. About Maui, I agree something looks off. His body does not move naturally, and it makes it hard for me to focus on his acting. I still might watch it in theaters, but right now it feels more like a repeat than a new experience.

 

[Kay]

I am actually okay with it being very similar. Some people want big changes, but I think the original story is already strong, so keeping it makes sense. I like seeing it in a different format. The ocean looks beautiful, and the scale feels bigger than animation. I also think Moana looks well cast. She seems calm but strong, which fits the character. About Maui, I agree the look is strange, but I do not think it ruins everything. I care more about his personality and voice. If the acting is good, I can accept the design. For me, this movie is more about the journey and message. I will watch it with an open mind.

 

[The Great Pumpkin]

I do not understand why Disney keeps doing this style. It feels like they are copying their own work without adding value. When I saw the trailer, I could almost predict every next scene. That makes me lose interest. Movies should surprise me at least a little. I think Catherine Lagaʻaia is a good choice, but she is not given anything new to show. Maui is honestly distracting. The body looks fake, and the wig is very obvious. It makes the character look less powerful. I feel like this could have been done better with different design choices. I am not against live-action, but this approach feels lazy to me.