I’d been looking forward to seeing Moana.
I don’t know if that’s part of the problem.
I geared myself up for it. I watched The Rock’s (amazing) You’re Welcome song. (Many times, it’s very good.) I read up on the making of the film, the casting of all Polynesian actors, the research. I listened to You’re Welcome some more…
The fact is, I’m a huge Disney nerd; I still count Aladdin as my favourite film, hands down, and I own more Ursula-themed clothing than I feel comfortable admitting to. I was expecting to like this film.
I wanted to like this film.
And, on paper, there was no reason I wouldn’t: a story by Ron Clements and John Musker, the writers of Aladdin and Pirates of the Caribbean. Music by Lin-Manual Miranda, the genius behind the album I literally can’t stop listening to to the point that it’s becoming a real problem and affecting my shot, I’m not throwing away my shot, I’m not throwing away my… Ahem, sorry. I mean to say: Hamilton. A Disney princess (for all intents and purposes) who has big hips, small boobs, and no love interest. A strong female lead who gets to do a plucky adventure story instead of a romance. One of the Flights of the Concord. The Rock – singing!
It should have been a perfect film.
And maybe that’s on me.