Moana (2016)

The animated-musical-adventure-comedy Moana continues the Disney Studios quest to endow every people and region of the world (in this case the south pacific) with their own Disney princess. Well not a princess exactly, a chiefs daughter, as the films titular protagonist would no doubt correct you, because she would indeed correct you. That attitude firmly sets Moana as part of the revisionist Disney fantasy formula, which has really kicked into gear the last ten years or so. Though set in the distant past Moana (Auli'i' Cravalho) is a contemporary, ultimately liberated heroine, and a good role model for young girls. This 'modernity' is still very well integrated into a classily mythological story, a heroes journey straight out of Joseph Campbell. I rather admire the structure of the film. Dwayne Johnson is the comic relief 'side-kick/ co-hero' Maui, a demigod adapted from Polynesian legend in a way that is understandably not loved by all Polynesians, but I thought it was fine, good natured. There is also a comic relief chicken, and coconut people. Catchy songs co-wrote by Lin-Manuel Miranda make this the best Disney musical in some time, and in some alternative universe somewhere, that giant shiny crab was voiced by David Bowie, the way it was meant to be. ****