Everyone knows the classic Disney princess plot: princess is in trouble, gets saved by a prince, they save the kingdom, and they live happily ever after.  But this year, there’s a new type of princess in the world of Disney, “Moana.” In this new Disney hit, a spirited young woman named Moana sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master sailor and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest, all while saving her island.  This movie is a bright new spin on the Disney princess plotline.  Moana is not only an entertaining hit, but it inspires girls to dream big and strive for equality in everything they do.

One reason that Moana is such a inspiration is the way that she looks.  Moana’s body looks more realistic and youthful than other Disney characters.  Unlike some of the very womanly and curvy Disney ladies, Moana is athletic in build. She brings a certain light and energy to the screen, but in a youthful, 16-year-old way.  Another great thing about this movie is the voice of Moana.Moana is voiced by 15-year-old Auli’i Cravalho, whose real-life fearlessness mimics the character.  Creating a character isn’t just about the words. The story of Moana is inspired by the oral histories of the Oceania people, so it was very important for Disney to find someone to voice Moana who also had Native Hawaiian roots. They auditioned hundreds of girls and were thrilled to discover Auli’i Crvalho.  One of the directors, John Musker liked Auli’i’s “fearlessness” and went on to explain that “her Polynesian background has helped shape her connection to family, hard work, and music.” Auli’i’s island heritage is from Hawaii.  Auli’i also has another similarity to Moana: her age. Her 16th birthday was a few days before the release of the film.  Many films have people of all ages voicing and playing teanagers but this movie had someone of the appropriate age, and people are loving it.  

Something that has surprised viewers is that Moana has no love interest in the film. a princess without romantic connections It is almost unheard of having  in a Disney movie, but Moana crushes this stereotype.  Romance is a powerful and entertaining thing, but family bonds and fighting for a good cause can be equally motivating.

In Moana, needs to save her people and accomplish a seemingly impossible task. It takes a girl who’s brave, and inventive to inspire selfish Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) to work with her, which arguably is more important than whether she ends up with a guy.  Maui and Moana develop a “father daughter” relationship, which is a breath of fresh air when it comes to Disney movies.  Speaking of family bonds, gramma Tala leads Moana to discover where her people come from, what that means to her, and the importance of following her instincts. Having respect for the women who blazed our paths and appreciating their wisdom and guidance is another thing that makes this movie so inspiring.

Moana is such a beautiful film in so many ways.  The soundtrack is amazing and you will blast in it your car for a month straight.  The animation is so well done that it makes you feel that you could actually be on Moana’s island, and the heartwarming message will have you crying tears of joy by the end.  This movie is a must see for all ages!