The lava monster turning into the green island being the metaphor for volcanoes making the most fertile soil that exists is one of my favorite bits of folklore.
Ngl when I first watched the movie I went that way, but on further rewatches I also found it to be a metaphor about abuse - Te Fiti, the mother island literally created everything, and people still went and "stole"/broke her heart. This betrayal caused her to warp to a destructive form of herself. Te Ka isnt screaming in rage - to me its pain, the on going pain from the abuse they suffered and the desperation to recover/heal. The final song helps with that "This is not who you are".
Not sure if anyone else mentioned it, but the grandma went downhill very fast because she gave Moana the heart of tafiti. The heart can create life itself and since the grandmother wore it around her neck for so long, it kept her healthy and strong. Once she gave it away, her health and age caught up to her.
Maybe it’s because I always miss her voyaging out or find the film when Maui shows up, but I didn’t remember the spirit ray part. Now that I’m actually paying attention, yeah that’s an incredible way to show death/reincarnation
In one of the light shows at the theme park, they have a "Moana" section and they project a ray swimming up the castle and then fireworks explode out of the top and every time I see it I bawl like a baby...😭😭😭😭😭
Auli'i Cravalho was only 14 when she was cast as Moana and I will never stop talking about it because that is absolutely crazy and she took on that role with such maturity and grace and embodied Moana to the fullest
I didnt know she was so young, crazy because moanas' portuguese voice actor was Any Gabrielly (ex member of Now United) and she was 13 when she dub Moana and also did a great job, both incredible girls at a young age
I live in Hawaii and I remember when she was always on the local news. People here are so proud when one of their own goes out to represent the islands the way she has.
Yeah, I loved that part of the movie, too. Gramma Tala didn't press Moana into going back to the mission because "the ocean chose her", that she had to continue because it's her responsibility and all that jazz, unlike other animation movies do. She let Moana decide for herself, and for me this is what sets this movie apart from other films with the same premise (the protagonist having this huge responsibility about being a "savior" of some kind).
This is based on real Polynesian history. For some reason, there are about 1000 years when the Polynesian people stopped sailing and then they just started up again. And we have no idea why.
And still to this day, whenever a tourist takes anything from Tahiti, even if just a tiny pebble, that tourist's family is cursed with bad fortune until it is returned with an apology.
You're not at all! I cry on and off throughout the movie. This movie hits on a lot of very emotional topics: healing from abuse/trauma (Te Ka/Te Fiti and Maui's origin story), having the courage to listen to and follow your inner voice, being guided by your ancestors, etc. 💜
@@DBT1007to you. You might not know this cause you're terminally online but, every person is a unique individual with different ways of feeling and living. Touch grass and you might see
Moana is a mix of many Oceanic cultures (Polyneaisa, Micronesia, and Melanesia) but mostly Samoan. Moana, for example, means ocean in Hawaiian, but the village style and how they dress is mostly Samoan. Their canoe style can be seen on many islands. They did a great job respectfully telling a new story while showing a little about our cultures. Maui is a legend throughout the islands as a Master island finder, maybe a real person or a myth, when Oceanians were populating the islands of the Pacific. They said he could pull islands from the ocean with his hook. The hook is symbolic and important to Hawaiians as it's how you fish, symbolizing good fortune and abundance.
From the maori side, one version I was told said Maui was actually thought to be a stillbirth, so he was wrapped in his mothers hair and given a sea burial. Then he floats off and is protected by sea creatures as he was delivered to guardians who raised him. Ive always wondered if our poly cousins had similar origin stories, this movie has an interesting interpretation of this. Another version said the hook was shaped from the jawbone of his supernatural grandmother, who willingly gave it up to him. That weapon he uses to literally beat and cripple the sun, slowing its passage, and to fish up our homeland, nz.
the film also covers a lot of things from the Maori culture aswell, considering Maui is a legend from Maori Mythology and the Maori haka is performed little by little by him throughout the film. Also, Moana means ocean in Maori too and Heihei meaning chicken etc 🤣 The film definitely includes a lot of different cultures, but I’d say Samoan and Maori the most! :)
@@maui5361Yes ofc but the producers of Moana mentioned in an interview that they took most of their inspiration from the Māui in Māori mythology. Sorry, I should’ve worded my comment better.
The story of Tefiti can be read as a metaphor for trauma (particularly sa) when someones heart/innocence is taken without permission. She became hardened and cruel, as the lava monster, she was trying to protect what was left of herself by lashing out and attacking, which is so common for victims. The song that Moana sings to her is so beautiful and pertinent, it broke me when I first saw this and actually helped to get me started on my own journey of healing from childhood Traumas.
*gives you a warm cuddle* the song was healing for me also (as someone who has suffered from depression throughout my life, and uses my creativity as therapy).
I cannot TELL YOU how amazing it was seeing this film was in the theatre. I think this and "Coco" are tied for just overwhelming visual beauty in animated films. The moment where Moana leaves and the lights go out and then Grandmas spirit races thru the water- oh, my heart!
I've seen this over 100 times and when the Grandma's soul leaves and enters the water, I get the chills and cry every time. I love Moana and I'm so glad my kids love it too. She's a great Disney Princess!
@@felixhenson9926 😂 when you have kids. They get infatuated with a certain show or movie and have it on repeat for days/weeks/months. 100 adds up quick
Quinn is definitely correct when he said he'd be hard - pressed to find a cuter animated animal than a sea turtle. Which is why my suggestion is Finding Nemo if the majority haven't seen it. ♥ (Oh, and Lilo & Stitch - my favorite ☺)
I remember when this movie became so popular that one of my little nieces wanted to have a Moana themed birthday party with a Moana bounce house. Ah these kids grow up so fast 🥹
My daughter has some mental health challenges so when she was younger and would have tantrums I would sing her the song Moana sings to Tefiti/Teka to remind her who she really is. Can’t watch this one without some tears now.
The animal you guys kept refering to as a stringray, is actually a Manta Ray. They are much larger and more magestic (imo) than stringrays. Grandma reincarnating as a spirit Manta Ray feels so much better than a stingray. She's more free to swim in the open ocean.
The Rock absolutely owned this role! Such a good movie! Now we need Zootopia! Its up there with Up, Tangled and Coco! Ready willing and able for that reaction! Lets go! 👍👌😎💯🔥😂
Can you think of another chosen one story in which a character apologizes for placing such a burden on the hero and tells them it’s 100% okay to give up and go back if they can’t do it, no reminders of the consequences, no guilt tripping? In that moment when the hero has lost all hope, someone is generally there to say, “Oh, it’s awful what’s happening to you, but if you fail your loved ones will die, everyone will be disappointed in you, and the world will burn. Is that okay with you? If it is, maybe you aren’t who I thought you were. If you’re the good, strong person I think you are, let’s go.”
I just love that the movie is all about healing. Moana's father had to heal from the trauma of the experience with his friend. Also Tefiti was never a bad monster, she was hurt and therefore acting this way. Maui and Moana had to find themselves in order to become who they were they really are. Grandma and the Ocean never forced Moana to do something. If she wanted to, she had their support, but it was her decision. Just so many great messages here. :)
This is my favorite Disney movie. Doesn't do anything wrong and breaks the mold on a number of fronts, including animation of water. Those first plaintive vocal notes over the opening credits still give me chills, followed by the gentle waves of the choral singing. Auli'i crushes it, too.
Enchanted is my favourite surprise (cos I’m an adult lol).This, and Inside Out are my top3 😊🥰. The way I always reminded my niece to bring these DVD’s with her, for overnight visits was too funny when I look back 😂🥹✨
In Aotearoa New Zealand, the variation of the Maui myth that I grew up with was that Maui was born early and quiet, his mother believed him to be still born and cast him into the ocean in her grief. He was saved by Tangaroa, the Atua (God/guardian of the sea). He does find his mother, and he also has brothers. They don't like him too much though due to him being favoured by the Atua, (he's also a bit of a thorn in the side for the Atua too lol)
Fun Fact: The Rocks kids love Moana, his youngest kids didnt know he was in the movie. He told them and sang You're welcome, they told him, he didnt sound anyting like Maui😂😂
I’ve been binge-watching you guys for about a week now! I feel like I’m watching movies with my dad, who passed away in November 2022. Your reactions are great! Please keep doing them!
I'm sorry to hear about your father. I lost my mother in 2021. Like you with your father I used to watch alot of movies growing up with my mother. We're here for you. And we'll keep up the reactions
Fun fact : beside being voiced by the rock, maui is designed after his grandfather Also maui's tattoo is a hand made animation which Disney haven't used in a long time
He wasn't intentionally designed after him actually! The animators had no idea they looked almost identical until they showed the character design to the Rock, who then showed them a picture of his grandfather. He also thought it was intentional at first! They did end up basing some of Moana's father's tattoos on the Rock's grandfather's tattoos, I belive it's the ones that are around his stomach.
Moana is one of my favorite Disney films ever. I feel so connected to her and the story. The music is beautiful and the animation is gorgeous. I am still shocked at the scene of baby Moana surrounded by the ocean. I am glad you all loved it, it holds a special place in my heart.
I love how the Grandma’s third act pep talk isn’t ‘you can do this, and everyone is counting on you.’ It’s ‘this wasn’t a fair thing to ask you to do, and no one will be mad if you say it’s too hard’. Yeah, she was still pretty much the only one who could do it, but still, demanding a teenager fight a lava monster and save the world is too much.
i normally cry during the scene of grandma dying and moana leaving, but oak’s reaction got me even more. you are never afraid to show your emotions and i love that so much. you guys are one of my favorite channels right now! thank you for helping me get through this hard time!
love this movie soooo much, was a total sensation here in Brazil, since a lot of people are mixed from different races and have curly hair, suddenly all little girls wanted to be Moana. shows how important it is to have different princesses from different places.
thats so sweet 😭😭 im polynesian and my parents took me and my siblings to see it like 3-4 times because we were obsessed w her. people underestimate how much kids appreciate representation
Fun fact, Moana means ocean in a lot of Polynesian languages. and many Polynesians see creation and destruction as one in the same just on different sides of the coin
I love this movie! My favorite thing is the overall theme of self-knowledge. “Do you know who you are? Who you truly are…” applies to so many people here. Moana discovers her strength and abilities, Maui learns that he is more than just his powers given by his hook, Te Ka has to learn that she was Te Fiti, and even Moana’s dad has to rediscover his adventurous side. The only two who are content with themselves the entire time are the mentor Grandma and the villain Tamatoa.
The songs in Moana are all so good! Auli'i killed it! She sang live at the Oscar (I think) on another level! This and Tangled on my top favorite Disney film/princess
I can relate to this movie a lot since yes, traveling / voyaging is dangerous, but can also be sometimes so necessary and at the same time quite exciting.
Im so glad you did this one! Its one of my absolute favorite disney movies. Moana is up there with mulan and belle as my favorite disney princesses. I have seen this movie so many times and i will always sit down and watch it agwin any time it is on. This movie has meant so much more since having three daughters of my own. I cry like a baby when moana sails onto her island and runs into her parents arm. Her dad was trying to protect her because of his trauma and ot turned into gaslighting her but in the end he accepts that she is meant to go past the reef. I also love that Grandma Tala is seen as the village "crazy lady" but she really was the only one who could see "beyond the reef" and help moana find her purpose
the grandma as the ray jumping in the air for freedom makes me cry every time. being old must feel like a prison inside your own body. (especially since the heart was the only thing keeping her alive)
There’s “What We Do In The Shadows” (2014) also for Jemaine Clement, which was my introduction to him (also occasionally appearing in the follow up tv series of the same name) 😂 he’s great.
32:31 this always makes me happy. When they give pounamus as a gift, they put their foreheads on each other too. Auliʻi Cravalho met with a designer who designed one of the dresses for the premiere, she gave her one and it was beautiful!
Everything stops in our house when Moana comes on. Our kids are all grown but my hubby loves loves loves this movie. I love it also but he is over the top about it! You’re gonna love it!
I always wished main characters would have the same accent their parents do in these films. They always make the princess sound American even if they’re only around their native people init
Halfway through the movie Moana gets struck by lightning and dies. Every one she encounters after that is a deity or demigod. That's how she is able to communicate with her grandmother and when she restored the heart of Tafiti she's brought back to life.
I think a point that should be addressed is Moana's courage. Not only going beyond the reef, but facing Te Ka both with and without Maui. The scene with her walking towards Te Ka, not knowing whether the lava monster will crush or incinerate her, always sends shivers up my spine.
I use to watch this all the time with my nieces but they got tired of it, but I still really enjoy it! Lin Manuel Miranda once again does it!! He created these amazing songs! And fun fact there are two people that plays Moana’s dad’s voice. The person that does the singing is the original George Washington you guys saw on Hamilton! I’m really glad you guys watched this! Its beautiful animation as well!!
I watched this movie, unplanned, on the plane back home from my very first trip to Hawaii. I thought it was fitting considering I really enjoyed what I learned. Having an amazing Disney movie reflect some of the culture I’d just been exposed to was incredible. ❤️
I have a tattoo of Te fiti and the two volcanoes from the Disney short Lava. At the top of my arm for my son, he’s nonverbal/ non communicative autistic and Moana was and is still one of the only movies he sits and watches the whole way through and the music from lava is the only thing that brings him out of a melt down . Great reaction as always
I was just thinking that Moana is one of the only people who actually wants to sail again. Everyone else is fine with staying on the island because they are used to that. Moana has the wanting to change the world. That makes me love her character all the more!
29:25 I'm guessing you can't put the best part of "I Am Moana" in there without netting a copyright strike, but I just have to say that I think that song is by far the most powerful empowerment song Disney have ever written. Seriously, I'm a grown man and I get goosebumps and my eyes well up a bit at that "I know the way.... I am Moana!" All the music in this movie is top-notch. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a freaking genius!
??? Don't know about a sequel? They have been promoting it for the last few months. It was actually green lit last year sometime. Release date in November of this year, the main cast came back to voice Moana 2.
I absolutely understand the pull of venturing outside of the birthplace (hell, I've lived in 6-7 different places in the past 10 years). But I also really like the idea of the chieftain stone pile. Receiving and accepting the responsibility of raising a place higher one layer, one generation at a time is a really cool thing in and of itself. All in all, both is extremely valid as long as you stay true to yourself.
This movie was special to me. This was my daughter’s favorite movie as a toddler we have sang those songs sooo many times. I loved all the messages as an adult too. The Oak pointing out that sometimes when you look strongest no one ask you if your ok. Thank you guys for the amazing reaction and insight
There have been 62 movies made by Disney starting with Snow White back in 1937. I have enjoyed all of them in some way excepting one. Moana... is awesome.
@@ellav7812 Dinosaur. If you don't know it, that's because it was retroactively shoehorned into the official canon to make sure Tangled was the 50th movie.
I teared up so many times when I watched this in the cinema. Made me proud to be Polynesian. The filmmakers really did their homework and I could see that they took bits and pieces from all the different cultures in the south pacific. Weather it was the clothing, dance, names, myths and legends, little gestures.etc, I know all PIs could relate to something in this film. Love it 🌊
Ah props for recognizing Jermaine's voice. I first saw this when I was teaching a summer class of kids when it came out and that was a cameo where I was definitely the only one excited.
Moana....I've seen, it seems, a million times. When it first came out, it was THE movie for my girls to see, over and over. And, yes, they sang along with every song. Even though I have seen it said number of times, of course I watched it again with you guys.❤ I was sure you'd love it, too! ***Talks of a live action Moana remake to come, too.
Hey Oak I understand the feeling. I immediately noticed how hard that scene hit you... Ive lost my father and two brothers, sadist thing Ive ever seen was a Marine handing my mom a folded American Flag. We've all seen it in the movies, but it F**ks with you hard in real life pretty bad. Great reaction guys! Much love and respect🙏 🌹For your dad Oak🌹
"Every road I take, Every trail I track, Every path leads back, To the place I know, Where I cannot go..." Yeah, Moana. That's how islands work. But seriously, a favorite of mine.
You know I get the dad being protective about her and the sea since he lost his friend that way...... But at the same time, they named her Moana which means ocean so technically they had it coming... 🤣
Aaaw! I watched this all the time when I lived alone a few years ago while going to college. I was happier back then. Im glad you guys are watching this!
The Rock visited my sister when she was a young teenager with serious burns at Shriner's Hospital for Children in Boston. I met him. He seemed like such a good dude.
In Tahitian, "motu" means "island" and "nui" means "new". While different, all the Polynesian languages are closely related, from Maori in New Zealand all the way to Hawaii. For example, "hare", "hale", and "fale" all mean house, in different languages. (There'll be a quiz on this next week).
one thing not many people notice is that when the plants on the Island are growing at the end, one of the flowers shown is the Sun drop flower from Tangled. It is theorized that when Maui lassoed the sun, that is when the drop fell from the sun.
So I just had a thought. Does anyone think that the Heart of Te Fiti was sustaining the Grandma's life? She basically got sick as soon as she gave it to Moana.
This is one of the best movies about identity. I joke often about doing a marathon of The Departed, then The Lighthouse, then Moana for a light-hearted palate cleanser after that heavy middle lol. Truly a brilliant, wise, important film. Some of my best friends are in recovery and absolutely adore the lessons this teaches. My favorite moment is when Maui tells himself (his tattoo) "I love you". Him finally loving himself marks his turning point and it's SO AMAZIIINNNGGGG! 😁 So glad you guys finally saw this!
Oh also: The tattoo is not only himself, but specifically his highest/best self, which makes it even better. And I love how one of Moana's first actions after meeting him is to knock down his giant statue as she escapes the cave, which I interpret as a foreshadow of his ego death that precedes his rebirth. There's a ton of incredible psychology symbolism all throughout the film, and I notice more and more with every rewatch.
We had a cat named Bernard. He was exactly like Hei Hei. A little neurologically impaired and roomba’d around. We said goodbye to him about a month before taking our kids to see this movie in theatres, the second the chicken was introduced, my husband and I looked at each other and burst out laughing, and I cried a little. Every time I see this movie, I think of Bernard and it makes me smile.
Aue aue Nuku e mua temalu lele e tata ki e~ Best song ever in 2010s era. You need to listen to the full native version. By 3 Polynesians. Also the cosplay music video. That guy look EXACTLY like the cartoon!!!
💯, speaking for myself, I’ve only watched Moana twice but Lilo & Stitch is one of my absolute fave animated films that I’ve lost count how many times I’ve seen it haha, so good 👍🏽👍🏽.
I frickin loved this movie. The story, characters, music, location and animation... I cried at so many times during this one. Encanto was another of the newer Disney movies i really liked that really hit me in the feels. Looking forward to the Moana sequel!
Thank you guys for reacting to Moana! This movie meant so much to me being a POC, having representation and education of these cultures being brought to the big screen 😊 Not sure what you guys have next in terms of Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks animated-type movies, but I’d love for y’all to react to 1998’s Mulan! That movie was a staple of my childhood and my first introduction to a badass female character. Personally, I love how although in the beginning she struggles with finding herself and figuring out her purpose, she ultimately sets out on an epic journey that ends with her making a mark on her country and showing what females can accomplish when given the opportunity. 👏🏽 It features an insanely talented voice cast - speaking AND singing - including Eddie Murphy, which I know you guys LOVED from the Shrek series. It also has the legendary George Takei, James Hong, Ming Na-Wen, BD Wong, Donny Osmond, and Lea Salonga (fun fact: who was also the singing voice of princess Jasmine in Aladdin). It has great lessons (which I know the Oak will appreciate), hilarious knee-slap type humor that still stands today, catchy songs you can’t help but dance along to, and overall an incredible storyline stemming from Chinese culture that will not only educate but amaze and entertain. Please check it out if you guys have the time; if so, I hope you’ll enjoy it just as much as I do! Thanks again for the great reactions and content, you make some slow work days much easier each time you upload a new one! Keep up the great work! 😁 - You friend from California, Brittany
This is easily one of Disney's best movies. Everything about this movie is incredible. Especially the music. Gives me chills every single time. I actually believe the theory that she dies early on and thats why shes able to travel to the underworld.
Maui was her real father, from what I remember about the real lore and the breakdown of the story in this one. Which is why she was chosen by the sea, too bad they never touched on that in the movie here.
This movie is special to me. I am half Hawaiian and besides Lilo & Stitch it seems like this is the only other big animated film around Polynesian culture. Not only that, but it was the first movie my Wife and I saw together when we started dating in 2016. Thank you guys for reacting to this, it was a great watch along!
I used to babysit 3 boys in high school twice a week. A 9 year old 5 year old and 3 year old. And we watched this movie EVERY THURSDAY I WAS THERE, all 3 of them were obsessed! They didn’t want to watch Mulan cuz that one was “too girly” but for them, Moana was made for boys. And I loved that for them. And for me, I never was bored and I never was annoyed when they wanted to watch it! Like Oak said, it’s a great party movie for all kids!
The lava monster turning into the green island being the metaphor for volcanoes making the most fertile soil that exists is one of my favorite bits of folklore.
Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for sharing!!
And the darkness that kills everything is an obvious metaphor for volcanic ash.
One of the oldest metaphors of humanity..
That's my favourite part of the movie too eventhough I come from a compeletely different area of the world but it's such a beautiful metaphor.
Ngl when I first watched the movie I went that way, but on further rewatches I also found it to be a metaphor about abuse - Te Fiti, the mother island literally created everything, and people still went and "stole"/broke her heart. This betrayal caused her to warp to a destructive form of herself. Te Ka isnt screaming in rage - to me its pain, the on going pain from the abuse they suffered and the desperation to recover/heal. The final song helps with that "This is not who you are".
Not sure if anyone else mentioned it, but the grandma went downhill very fast because she gave Moana the heart of tafiti. The heart can create life itself and since the grandmother wore it around her neck for so long, it kept her healthy and strong. Once she gave it away, her health and age caught up to her.
🤯🤯😩😞
Good info, thanks.
Makes sense 👍
Dont tell mother gothel. i have a crossover idea.
So like Bilbo giving the ring to Frodo?
Moana's grandmother's death and reincarnation as a spirit ray was so well done.
Maybe it’s because I always miss her voyaging out or find the film when Maui shows up, but I didn’t remember the spirit ray part. Now that I’m actually paying attention, yeah that’s an incredible way to show death/reincarnation
In one of the light shows at the theme park, they have a "Moana" section and they project a ray swimming up the castle and then fireworks explode out of the top and every time I see it I bawl like a baby...😭😭😭😭😭
Auli'i Cravalho was only 14 when she was cast as Moana and I will never stop talking about it because that is absolutely crazy and she took on that role with such maturity and grace and embodied Moana to the fullest
she's a freaking rockstar in every sense of the word.
I didnt know she was so young, crazy because moanas' portuguese voice actor was Any Gabrielly (ex member of Now United) and she was 13 when she dub Moana and also did a great job, both incredible girls at a young age
I live in Hawaii and I remember when she was always on the local news. People here are so proud when one of their own goes out to represent the islands the way she has.
What I like is that when Moana felt weak and wanted to give up, her grandmothers spirit supported her decision no matter what
😭😭😭🥹🥰
Yeah, I loved that part of the movie, too. Gramma Tala didn't press Moana into going back to the mission because "the ocean chose her", that she had to continue because it's her responsibility and all that jazz, unlike other animation movies do. She let Moana decide for herself, and for me this is what sets this movie apart from other films with the same premise (the protagonist having this huge responsibility about being a "savior" of some kind).
This is based on real Polynesian history. For some reason, there are about 1000 years when the Polynesian people stopped sailing and then they just started up again. And we have no idea why.
Surely we have SOME idea why, it's in this movie :D
And still to this day, whenever a tourist takes anything from Tahiti, even if just a tiny pebble, that tourist's family is cursed with bad fortune until it is returned with an apology.
Im such a cry baby. Moanas song about feeling like she's a bad child and a disappointment because she has different dreams, makes me cry every time
You're not at all! I cry on and off throughout the movie. This movie hits on a lot of very emotional topics: healing from abuse/trauma (Te Ka/Te Fiti and Maui's origin story), having the courage to listen to and follow your inner voice, being guided by your ancestors, etc. 💜
@@DBT1007 Huh, it's almost like people have different emotinal levels than you
Seems as though you’re like me, I am a sensitive soul who was pretty much ignored as a child. I hope you’re doing well!
everytime
@@DBT1007to you.
You might not know this cause you're terminally online but, every person is a unique individual with different ways of feeling and living.
Touch grass and you might see
Moana is a mix of many Oceanic cultures (Polyneaisa, Micronesia, and Melanesia) but mostly Samoan. Moana, for example, means ocean in Hawaiian, but the village style and how they dress is mostly Samoan. Their canoe style can be seen on many islands. They did a great job respectfully telling a new story while showing a little about our cultures. Maui is a legend throughout the islands as a Master island finder, maybe a real person or a myth, when Oceanians were populating the islands of the Pacific. They said he could pull islands from the ocean with his hook. The hook is symbolic and important to Hawaiians as it's how you fish, symbolizing good fortune and abundance.
From the maori side, one version I was told said Maui was actually thought to be a stillbirth, so he was wrapped in his mothers hair and given a sea burial. Then he floats off and is protected by sea creatures as he was delivered to guardians who raised him. Ive always wondered if our poly cousins had similar origin stories, this movie has an interesting interpretation of this. Another version said the hook was shaped from the jawbone of his supernatural grandmother, who willingly gave it up to him. That weapon he uses to literally beat and cripple the sun, slowing its passage, and to fish up our homeland, nz.
the film also covers a lot of things from the Maori culture aswell, considering Maui is a legend from Maori Mythology and the Maori haka is performed little by little by him throughout the film. Also, Moana means ocean in Maori too and Heihei meaning chicken etc 🤣 The film definitely includes a lot of different cultures, but I’d say Samoan and Maori the most! :)
@@pjm2413 totally agree, plus with having some prominent Maori actors like Jermaine Clement, Rachel House and Temuera Morrison.
@@pjm2413 maui is a polynesian mythology, not just maori, they all have different versions.
@@maui5361Yes ofc but the producers of Moana mentioned in an interview that they took most of their inspiration from the Māui in Māori mythology. Sorry, I should’ve worded my comment better.
You can tell that Oak has a big connection to family, every time a family scene that is sad comes up it hits him
*Family*
idk i thought he was gonna fall asleep any second
@@annipsy2185 nah, he always looks like that lol
The story of Tefiti can be read as a metaphor for trauma (particularly sa) when someones heart/innocence is taken without permission. She became hardened and cruel, as the lava monster, she was trying to protect what was left of herself by lashing out and attacking, which is so common for victims.
The song that Moana sings to her is so beautiful and pertinent, it broke me when I first saw this and actually helped to get me started on my own journey of healing from childhood Traumas.
Very much so. "They have stolen the heart from inside you, but this does not define you"
*gives you a warm cuddle* the song was healing for me also (as someone who has suffered from depression throughout my life, and uses my creativity as therapy).
Yeah, I cry every single time I watch that scene.
That’s so true. I also saw it as an interesting take on female rage.
I love that Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote a David Bowie-style glam rock song for a Disney movie. The man is a genius.
I think he wanted David Bowie to play Tamatoa but he died that year 😢
Even more genius that since David could no longer do it, the perfect second choice was Jemaine Clement. David Bowie-esque and actual Kiwi✨
"Shiny" is such a bop, as the kids say, LOL.
@@captainteeko4579 And also half Maori! Great casting.
He's essentially gen alphas John Williams except he does lyrics too, absolutely amazing guy
FYI...if you go to Turtle Talk in EPCOT, and ask Crush about Moana, he'll tell you that she saved his life when he was a baby.
That is an awesome tie-in! Thanks for sharing that!
I cannot TELL YOU how amazing it was seeing this film was in the theatre. I think this and "Coco" are tied for just overwhelming visual beauty in animated films. The moment where Moana leaves and the lights go out and then Grandmas spirit races thru the water- oh, my heart!
Elemental is another one that is absolutely visually amazing.
I've seen this over 100 times and when the Grandma's soul leaves and enters the water, I get the chills and cry every time. I love Moana and I'm so glad my kids love it too. She's a great Disney Princess!
Same! My grandma looks JUST like her, and I know her life is coming to a close, so that scene hurts. ❤
over 100?! damn
@@felixhenson9926 😂 when you have kids. They get infatuated with a certain show or movie and have it on repeat for days/weeks/months. 100 adds up quick
Quinn is definitely correct when he said he'd be hard - pressed to find a cuter animated animal than a sea turtle. Which is why my suggestion is Finding Nemo if the majority haven't seen it. ♥ (Oh, and Lilo & Stitch - my favorite ☺)
Lilo and Stitch is SO underrated.
I remember when this movie became so popular that one of my little nieces wanted to have a Moana themed birthday party with a Moana bounce house. Ah these kids grow up so fast 🥹
@@DBT1007 I always have a hard time keeping up with these animated movies unless my nieces and nephews tell me about them. Otherwise, I'll be lost lol
@@DBT10078 years ago actually so almost a decade
@@tmm4195 You stop that, you! :O Also the 90s was 10 years ago! Good day, sir!
and did they!?
@@meinm3575 of course. I joined them in the bounce house as well 😄
My daughter has some mental health challenges so when she was younger and would have tantrums I would sing her the song Moana sings to Tefiti/Teka to remind her who she really is. Can’t watch this one without some tears now.
that is so sweet, i hope u and ur daughter are happy and in good health
Beautiful ❤️
Aw that is so lovely. Thank you for sharing.
The animal you guys kept refering to as a stringray, is actually a Manta Ray. They are much larger and more magestic (imo) than stringrays. Grandma reincarnating as a spirit Manta Ray feels so much better than a stingray. She's more free to swim in the open ocean.
Fun fact: manta rays have actually been recently reclassified as a type of mobula ray
The movie makes a nice little historical nod, referencing the mysterious 1000 year gap in Polynesian island exploration....due to the missing Heart?
And Oscar for best supporting actor in a comedy goes to Alex Tudyk for Hey Hey 😂
Bwawk
@@ForbiddenkittyHei Hei but I gotchu
"I went to Juliard."
I think he's name is Alan no?
Alan
Islander Proud 🇬🇺🏝️🌺 Really happy you 3 enjoyed this film!!!
The Rock absolutely owned this role! Such a good movie! Now we need Zootopia!
Its up there with Up, Tangled and Coco!
Ready willing and able for that reaction! Lets go! 👍👌😎💯🔥😂
Absolutely, Zootopia.
May I ask you, since you've mentioned The Rock: did these guys watch Jumanji? Don't you know by any chance? :)
@@petrastein2531no
Can you think of another chosen one story in which a character apologizes for placing such a burden on the hero and tells them it’s 100% okay to give up and go back if they can’t do it, no reminders of the consequences, no guilt tripping? In that moment when the hero has lost all hope, someone is generally there to say, “Oh, it’s awful what’s happening to you, but if you fail your loved ones will die, everyone will be disappointed in you, and the world will burn. Is that okay with you? If it is, maybe you aren’t who I thought you were. If you’re the good, strong person I think you are, let’s go.”
The moment Moana runs away with the heart grandma hands her, grandmas health instantly falters and she sits
I just love that the movie is all about healing. Moana's father had to heal from the trauma of the experience with his friend. Also Tefiti was never a bad monster, she was hurt and therefore acting this way. Maui and Moana had to find themselves in order to become who they were they really are. Grandma and the Ocean never forced Moana to do something. If she wanted to, she had their support, but it was her decision. Just so many great messages here. :)
I love when the Answer laughs😂😂😂
It’s so infectious lmaoooo
Moana 2 coming soon!!!!!
Super excited for Joana 2🤩🤩🤩
@@Ventithebardandsivl yup I love Joana 2 :)
@@Ventithebardandsivl Joana is a goated Disney franchise frfr
@@phoebusapollo8365 frs
This is my favorite Disney movie. Doesn't do anything wrong and breaks the mold on a number of fronts, including animation of water. Those first plaintive vocal notes over the opening credits still give me chills, followed by the gentle waves of the choral singing. Auli'i crushes it, too.
Enchanted is my favourite surprise (cos I’m an adult lol).This, and Inside Out are my top3 😊🥰. The way I always reminded my niece to bring these DVD’s with her, for overnight visits was too funny when I look back 😂🥹✨
In Aotearoa New Zealand, the variation of the Maui myth that I grew up with was that Maui was born early and quiet, his mother believed him to be still born and cast him into the ocean in her grief. He was saved by Tangaroa, the Atua (God/guardian of the sea). He does find his mother, and he also has brothers. They don't like him too much though due to him being favoured by the Atua, (he's also a bit of a thorn in the side for the Atua too lol)
Fun Fact: The Rocks kids love Moana, his youngest kids didnt know he was in the movie. He told them and sang You're welcome, they told him, he didnt sound anyting like Maui😂😂
I’ve been binge-watching you guys for about a week now! I feel like I’m watching movies with my dad, who passed away in November 2022. Your reactions are great! Please keep doing them!
I'm sorry to hear about your father. I lost my mother in 2021. Like you with your father I used to watch alot of movies growing up with my mother. We're here for you. And we'll keep up the reactions
@@theanswerbaddmedicine This made me cry! Thank you and I’m so sore about your mom. 💙 I can’t wait to see what you guys do next.
God I love the song ‘Shiny’, it’s actually one of my all time favorite Disney songs. Such a fun villain song too! Love how David Bowie inspired it is.
Fun fact : beside being voiced by the rock,
maui is designed after his grandfather
Also maui's tattoo is a hand made animation which Disney haven't used in a long time
He wasn't intentionally designed after him actually! The animators had no idea they looked almost identical until they showed the character design to the Rock, who then showed them a picture of his grandfather. He also thought it was intentional at first! They did end up basing some of Moana's father's tattoos on the Rock's grandfather's tattoos, I belive it's the ones that are around his stomach.
Moana is one of my favorite Disney films ever. I feel so connected to her and the story. The music is beautiful and the animation is gorgeous. I am still shocked at the scene of baby Moana surrounded by the ocean. I am glad you all loved it, it holds a special place in my heart.
You guys so need to watch Nimona. Nominated for an Oscar.
*nimonated for an Oscar
I love how the Grandma’s third act pep talk isn’t ‘you can do this, and everyone is counting on you.’ It’s ‘this wasn’t a fair thing to ask you to do, and no one will be mad if you say it’s too hard’. Yeah, she was still pretty much the only one who could do it, but still, demanding a teenager fight a lava monster and save the world is too much.
As a Polynesian this made me cry again so much. Thank you for watching Moana.❤
i normally cry during the scene of grandma dying and moana leaving, but oak’s reaction got me even more. you are never afraid to show your emotions and i love that so much. you guys are one of my favorite channels right now! thank you for helping me get through this hard time!
love this movie soooo much, was a total sensation here in Brazil, since a lot of people are mixed from different races and have curly hair, suddenly all little girls wanted to be Moana. shows how important it is to have different princesses from different places.
Awwww 😭😭🥰🥹💖
thats so sweet 😭😭 im polynesian and my parents took me and my siblings to see it like 3-4 times because we were obsessed w her. people underestimate how much kids appreciate representation
Fun fact, Moana means ocean in a lot of Polynesian languages. and many Polynesians see creation and destruction as one in the same just on different sides of the coin
I love this movie! My favorite thing is the overall theme of self-knowledge. “Do you know who you are? Who you truly are…” applies to so many people here. Moana discovers her strength and abilities, Maui learns that he is more than just his powers given by his hook, Te Ka has to learn that she was Te Fiti, and even Moana’s dad has to rediscover his adventurous side. The only two who are content with themselves the entire time are the mentor Grandma and the villain Tamatoa.
22:26 - I'm sure it's already mentioned, but just in case it's not: Yes, that's actually Godzilla. Creators put him in as a "cameo".
The songs in Moana are all so good! Auli'i killed it! She sang live at the Oscar (I think) on another level! This and Tangled on my top favorite Disney film/princess
I can relate to this movie a lot since yes, traveling / voyaging is dangerous, but can also be sometimes so necessary and at the same time quite exciting.
Im so glad you did this one! Its one of my absolute favorite disney movies. Moana is up there with mulan and belle as my favorite disney princesses. I have seen this movie so many times and i will always sit down and watch it agwin any time it is on. This movie has meant so much more since having three daughters of my own.
I cry like a baby when moana sails onto her island and runs into her parents arm. Her dad was trying to protect her because of his trauma and ot turned into gaslighting her but in the end he accepts that she is meant to go past the reef. I also love that Grandma Tala is seen as the village "crazy lady" but she really was the only one who could see "beyond the reef" and help moana find her purpose
the grandma as the ray jumping in the air for freedom makes me cry every time. being old must feel like a prison inside your own body. (especially since the heart was the only thing keeping her alive)
There’s “What We Do In The Shadows” (2014) also for Jemaine Clement, which was my introduction to him (also occasionally appearing in the follow up tv series of the same name) 😂 he’s great.
What we do in the shadows is amazing❤
underrated masterpieace
I remember when this movie came out and i was obsessed with it😭✨
In the final fight, Moana and Maui's thank you, you're welcome is so awesome, because this time both actually mean it, genuinely and with humility.
32:31 this always makes me happy. When they give pounamus as a gift, they put their foreheads on each other too. Auliʻi Cravalho met with a designer who designed one of the dresses for the premiere, she gave her one and it was beautiful!
Hands down my favorite "princess"-Disney movie. I just love Moana as a character, love Maui and everything about this.
Everything stops in our house when Moana comes on. Our kids are all grown but my hubby loves loves loves this movie. I love it also but he is over the top about it! You’re gonna love it!
😂😂🥰💖🥹
I always wished main characters would have the same accent their parents do in these films.
They always make the princess sound American even if they’re only around their native people init
Great reaction guys, best comment ever when Moana goes into the cave The Answer says “no she’s Batman” …. I’m dead 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Thank you 😊
Not me immediately singing "She is MO-AH-NAAAAH!"
He relationship with her grandmother is so much like mine. She inspired me to follow my dreams. Makes me cry every time.
What you're telling me is that Oak needs to was Frozen and Godzilla Minus One.
Both are on the list🤙
@@BaddMedicine To quote Mr Burns "Excelllent!"
Halfway through the movie Moana gets struck by lightning and dies. Every one she encounters after that is a deity or demigod. That's how she is able to communicate with her grandmother and when she restored the heart of Tafiti she's brought back to life.
I think a point that should be addressed is Moana's courage. Not only going beyond the reef, but facing Te Ka both with and without Maui. The scene with her walking towards Te Ka, not knowing whether the lava monster will crush or incinerate her, always sends shivers up my spine.
I use to watch this all the time with my nieces but they got tired of it, but I still really enjoy it! Lin Manuel Miranda once again does it!! He created these amazing songs! And fun fact there are two people that plays Moana’s dad’s voice. The person that does the singing is the original George Washington you guys saw on Hamilton! I’m really glad you guys watched this! Its beautiful animation as well!!
ANYTIME Oak starts getting misty eyed in a reaction, I immediately start tearing up too! Love this reaction guys! 🥹🥰
Alan cracked me up when he said that!
That chicken went to Juilliard! 😆
Moana is one of my favorite Disney films, and my favorite Disney Princess film. I'm so happy you guys reacted to it! Sequel soon! :D
I watched this movie, unplanned, on the plane back home from my very first trip to Hawaii. I thought it was fitting considering I really enjoyed what I learned. Having an amazing Disney movie reflect some of the culture I’d just been exposed to was incredible. ❤️
I have a tattoo of Te fiti and the two volcanoes from the Disney short Lava. At the top of my arm for my son, he’s nonverbal/ non communicative autistic and Moana was and is still one of the only movies he sits and watches the whole way through and the music from lava is the only thing that brings him out of a melt down . Great reaction as always
I was just thinking that Moana is one of the only people who actually wants to sail again. Everyone else is fine with staying on the island because they are used to that. Moana has the wanting to change the world. That makes me love her character all the more!
29:25 I'm guessing you can't put the best part of "I Am Moana" in there without netting a copyright strike, but I just have to say that I think that song is by far the most powerful empowerment song Disney have ever written.
Seriously, I'm a grown man and I get goosebumps and my eyes well up a bit at that "I know the way.... I am Moana!"
All the music in this movie is top-notch. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a freaking genius!
??? Don't know about a sequel? They have been promoting it for the last few months. It was actually green lit last year sometime. Release date in November of this year, the main cast came back to voice Moana 2.
I absolutely understand the pull of venturing outside of the birthplace (hell, I've lived in 6-7 different places in the past 10 years). But I also really like the idea of the chieftain stone pile. Receiving and accepting the responsibility of raising a place higher one layer, one generation at a time is a really cool thing in and of itself.
All in all, both is extremely valid as long as you stay true to yourself.
This movie was special to me. This was my daughter’s favorite movie as a toddler we have sang those songs sooo many times. I loved all the messages as an adult too. The Oak pointing out that sometimes when you look strongest no one ask you if your ok. Thank you guys for the amazing reaction and insight
There have been 62 movies made by Disney starting with Snow White back in 1937. I have enjoyed all of them in some way excepting one. Moana... is awesome.
You have to tell us which one is the exception!
@@ellav7812 Dinosaur. If you don't know it, that's because it was retroactively shoehorned into the official canon to make sure Tangled was the 50th movie.
I teared up so many times when I watched this in the cinema. Made me proud to be Polynesian. The filmmakers really did their homework and I could see that they took bits and pieces from all the different cultures in the south pacific. Weather it was the clothing, dance, names, myths and legends, little gestures.etc, I know all PIs could relate to something in this film. Love it 🌊
Ah props for recognizing Jermaine's voice. I first saw this when I was teaching a summer class of kids when it came out and that was a cameo where I was definitely the only one excited.
Moana....I've seen, it seems, a million times. When it first came out, it was THE movie for my girls to see, over and over. And, yes, they sang along with every song. Even though I have seen it said number of times, of course I watched it again with you guys.❤ I was sure you'd love it, too!
***Talks of a live action Moana remake to come, too.
Fun fact - The songs are written by Lin Manuel Miranda and you can actually hear him sing the English part in We Know The Way 😁❤️
Hey Oak I understand the feeling. I immediately noticed how hard that scene hit you... Ive lost my father and two brothers, sadist thing Ive ever seen was a Marine handing my mom a folded American Flag. We've all seen it in the movies, but it F**ks with you hard in real life pretty bad. Great reaction guys! Much love and respect🙏 🌹For your dad Oak🌹
Moana 2 is coming to theaters this November.
"Every road I take,
Every trail I track,
Every path leads back,
To the place I know,
Where I cannot go..."
Yeah, Moana. That's how islands work.
But seriously, a favorite of mine.
You know I get the dad being protective about her and the sea since he lost his friend that way...... But at the same time, they named her Moana which means ocean so technically they had it coming... 🤣
Aaaw! I watched this all the time when I lived alone a few years ago while going to college. I was happier back then. Im glad you guys are watching this!
The Rock visited my sister when she was a young teenager with serious burns at Shriner's Hospital for Children in Boston. I met him. He seemed like such a good dude.
In Tahitian, "motu" means "island" and "nui" means "new". While different, all the Polynesian languages are closely related, from Maori in New Zealand all the way to Hawaii. For example, "hare", "hale", and "fale" all mean house, in different languages.
(There'll be a quiz on this next week).
one thing not many people notice is that when the plants on the Island are growing at the end, one of the flowers shown is the Sun drop flower from Tangled. It is theorized that when Maui lassoed the sun, that is when the drop fell from the sun.
So I just had a thought. Does anyone think that the Heart of Te Fiti was sustaining the Grandma's life? She basically got sick as soon as she gave it to Moana.
This is one of the best movies about identity. I joke often about doing a marathon of The Departed, then The Lighthouse, then Moana for a light-hearted palate cleanser after that heavy middle lol. Truly a brilliant, wise, important film. Some of my best friends are in recovery and absolutely adore the lessons this teaches. My favorite moment is when Maui tells himself (his tattoo) "I love you". Him finally loving himself marks his turning point and it's SO AMAZIIINNNGGGG! 😁 So glad you guys finally saw this!
Oh also: The tattoo is not only himself, but specifically his highest/best self, which makes it even better. And I love how one of Moana's first actions after meeting him is to knock down his giant statue as she escapes the cave, which I interpret as a foreshadow of his ego death that precedes his rebirth. There's a ton of incredible psychology symbolism all throughout the film, and I notice more and more with every rewatch.
The little coconut monsters and their floating islands are a direct reference to Mad Max Fury Road lol
We had a cat named Bernard. He was exactly like Hei Hei. A little neurologically impaired and roomba’d around. We said goodbye to him about a month before taking our kids to see this movie in theatres, the second the chicken was introduced, my husband and I looked at each other and burst out laughing, and I cried a little. Every time I see this movie, I think of Bernard and it makes me smile.
never felt this excited for anything😂
Aue aue
Nuku e mua temalu lele e tata ki e~
Best song ever in 2010s era. You need to listen to the full native version. By 3 Polynesians.
Also the cosplay music video. That guy look EXACTLY like the cartoon!!!
Te Vaka.
Finally!!! Now all you have to do is watch Lilo and Stitch!
💯, speaking for myself, I’ve only watched Moana twice but Lilo & Stitch is one of my absolute fave animated films that I’ve lost count how many times I’ve seen it haha, so good 👍🏽👍🏽.
They should!
I frickin loved this movie. The story, characters, music, location and animation... I cried at so many times during this one. Encanto was another of the newer Disney movies i really liked that really hit me in the feels. Looking forward to the Moana sequel!
Thank you guys for reacting to Moana! This movie meant so much to me being a POC, having representation and education of these cultures being brought to the big screen 😊
Not sure what you guys have next in terms of Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks animated-type movies, but I’d love for y’all to react to 1998’s Mulan! That movie was a staple of my childhood and my first introduction to a badass female character. Personally, I love how although in the beginning she struggles with finding herself and figuring out her purpose, she ultimately sets out on an epic journey that ends with her making a mark on her country and showing what females can accomplish when given the opportunity. 👏🏽 It features an insanely talented voice cast - speaking AND singing - including Eddie Murphy, which I know you guys LOVED from the Shrek series. It also has the legendary George Takei, James Hong, Ming Na-Wen, BD Wong, Donny Osmond, and Lea Salonga (fun fact: who was also the singing voice of princess Jasmine in Aladdin).
It has great lessons (which I know the Oak will appreciate), hilarious knee-slap type humor that still stands today, catchy songs you can’t help but dance along to, and overall an incredible storyline stemming from Chinese culture that will not only educate but amaze and entertain.
Please check it out if you guys have the time; if so, I hope you’ll enjoy it just as much as I do! Thanks again for the great reactions and content, you make some slow work days much easier each time you upload a new one! Keep up the great work! 😁
- You friend from California, Brittany
This movie has my favorite depictions of both a lava monster, and of a goddess.
Seeing three buff grown men melt over a baby pig did my heart good today. Thanks boys. 😘😘😘
Have yaaaaaa smeeeeeelled what Maoi is cookin?????
Fun fact: Heihei is voiced by Juliard trained actor, Alan Tudyk, who also was in Firefly, and Resident Alien.
This is easily one of Disney's best movies. Everything about this movie is incredible. Especially the music. Gives me chills every single time.
I actually believe the theory that she dies early on and thats why shes able to travel to the underworld.
Maui was her real father, from what I remember about the real lore and the breakdown of the story in this one. Which is why she was chosen by the sea, too bad they never touched on that in the movie here.
Yes, Moana 2 was announced as well as a LA version with the Rock himself
This movie is special to me. I am half Hawaiian and besides Lilo & Stitch it seems like this is the only other big animated film around Polynesian culture. Not only that, but it was the first movie my Wife and I saw together when we started dating in 2016. Thank you guys for reacting to this, it was a great watch along!
I used to babysit 3 boys in high school twice a week. A 9 year old 5 year old and 3 year old. And we watched this movie EVERY THURSDAY I WAS THERE, all 3 of them were obsessed! They didn’t want to watch Mulan cuz that one was “too girly” but for them, Moana was made for boys. And I loved that for them. And for me, I never was bored and I never was annoyed when they wanted to watch it!
Like Oak said, it’s a great party movie for all kids!
It’s so adorable when kids love repeated viewings 😂😂😂