Live-Action 'Moana' Panned as Dull Remake

The live-action remake of Disney's 2016 animated hit Moana has been met with overwhelmingly negative reviews**, with critics calling it a "flat," "dull," and "lifeless" carbon copy that fails to recapture the magic of the original. Source: BBCSource: AP News Released just 10 years after the original, the film stars newcomer Catherine Laga'aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. Source: LA Times

Critical Consensus

Most critics agree the remake suffers from a lack of imagination. The film is described as a "nearly frame-by-frame recreation" that strips away the animation's whimsy, leaving behind a "lame remix." Source: GizmodoSource: LA Times Reviewers particularly criticized the visual effects, with the ocean and characters feeling fake. The LA Times review noted that the movie is "adrift" and the most riveting part is watching actors' hair dry. Source: LA Times The AP review deemed it "a purposeless remake" that veers into "Saturday Night Live parody" territory. Source: AP News

Bright Spots

While the reviews are largely negative, some elements are praised. Catherine Laga'aia's performance is widely lauded as "sunny" and "lively." Source: AP NewsSource: Gizmodo The musical numbers, particularly the new duet "Along the Way" with original voice actor Auli'i Cravalho, are considered a highlight. Variety's Owen Gleiberman offered a rare positive note, saying the film "escapes the remake blues – in fact it soars above them."