Set in ancient Polynesia, the film tells the story of Moana, the strong-willed daughter of a chief of a coastal village, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti.

Polynesian Moana (character)

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes Moana, an epic adventure about a spirited teen who sets sail on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors' unfinished quest.

16 Moana's age, 16, is less of an issue in her story as it doesn't include a romantic plot, but it still relies on a young girl to overcome dangerous challenges and save the world. Disney princesses have always had an age problem, with characters as young as 14 falling in love, defying parents, and getting married.

Moana sets her mind on something and achieves it - rescuing her people. She reminds us everyday that we should go after what we really believe in, and not stop until we achieve it!

Auliʻi Cravalho

So it all works out in the end: Moana is not from Hawaii, and neither is she from New Zealand. She has to come from Tonga or Samoa, the two first archipelagoes where the Polynesian People was born.

The fictional movie takes place 3,000 years ago in the islands of Polynesia, an area that includes Hawaii, Tonga and Tahiti. The star is 16-year-old Moana, voiced by Hawaiian actress Auli'i Cravalho, who goes on an ocean voyage with Maui, voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

ocean, sea It is a beautiful Hawaiian given name meaning "ocean, sea, or expanse of water." The name has been a firm favorite among Polynesian communities for years, gaining global popularity with the release of Disney's epic animated film in 2016.

Moana standing up for herself empowers girls to speak their mind and show others that their words are powerful and influential. It is so important for children to see that Moana stands for something far greater than a typical Disney princess, she represents independence, diligence, and strength.

In addition to the violent scenes mentioned above, Moana has some scenes that could scare or disturb children under five years. For example: Because Maui stole the heart of the islands, the islands begin to die. They turn black and start to crumble.

Chloe Auliʻi Cravalho (/aʊˈliːʔi krəˈvɑːljoʊ/; born November 22, 2000) is an American actress and singer.

This movie might inspire children to learn more about Polynesian myths and culture. Additionally, Moana the character is a good role model for girls as she shows leadership skills, strength and independence. Moana isn't suitable for children under the age of 8 years.

Moana's pet pig, Pua is only in the movie for a little while until Moana takes off on her own.

Despite being a pig, Pua typically acts like a puppy. He is perhaps Moana's biggest supporter. He cares a great deal for Moana's happiness, as well as her personal ambitions; specifically her yearning to sail the seas. In all cases, he happily joins Moana's side to assist her in any way he can.

Although Moana is from the fictional island Motunui some 3,000 years ago, the story and culture of Moana is based on the very real heritage and history of Polynesian islands such as Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, and Tahiti. In fact, once you start looking for ties to Polynesian culture in Moana, it's hard to stop!