While Hollywood has been feeling the indifference from audiences when it comes to live action sequels and remakes, they are quickly learning that animated movies are a huge cash cow this year. Disney has already had massive success with “Zootopia” and “Finding Dory,” while Universal pretty much has a franchise in the bag thanks to the staggering numbers for “The Secret Life Of Pets.” And before the year is out, the mouse house will be dropping another animated effort, which has every chance of being another big hit.
“Moana” is the latest from directors Ron Clements and John Musker (who both worked on “Aladdin” and “The Princess And The Frog“), and it tells the seafaring adventure of a young woman. The movie boasts a script co-written by Taika Waititi (“The Hunt For The Wilderpeople,” “Thor: Ragnarok“), and the voice of Dwayne Johnson in the lead role, though he’s barely heard here, and not even glimpsed. Instead, the focus is on a cute, animated baby. Disney sure knows how to sell something. Here’s the synopsis:
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds.
“Moana” opens on November 23rd.