Disney's 'dismal' live-action Moana panned by critics

New Delhi, India Jul 10, 2026 ALN: Disney has once again taken one of its biggest animated hits of recent years and turned it into a live-action remake - but the new take on 2016's Moana has been panned by most critics.

Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as demigod Maui, with 19-year-old Australian-Samoan newcomer Catherine Laga'aia playing Moana, the teen daughter of a Polynesian chief. The original animated film, which was released to critical acclaim and commercial success, resonated with audiences for its representation of Polynesian culture and its empowering storyline that emphasizes themes of self-discovery and environmental stewardship.

However, the live-action adaptation, which was released on a Friday, has been described in reviews as "flat", "dull" and "dismal". Critics have pointed out that the film fails to capture the charm and vibrancy of its animated predecessor, leading to disappointment among fans who were eager to see a fresh take on the beloved story.

There were some more positive voices, including Variety's Owen Gleiberman, who said it "escapes the remake blues - in fact it soars above them". Gleiberman added that the film "truly delivers 'Moana' - the beauty, the comic personality, the fairy-tale enchantment", and described Johnson's "fit" for the film as "perfect". His comments reflect a viewpoint that, despite the overall negative reception, there are elements within the film that resonate with the original's spirit.

Peter Bradshaw, writing for The Guardian, disagreed, calling the film a "competent but pointless and unexciting back-to-basics live-action remake" in his two-star review. He expressed concerns about Johnson's performance, stating it felt "on autopilot, like a piece of software" and criticized the heavy use of CGI, which he said was "so deeply embedded" it feels like "another animation". This highlights a growing concern among critics regarding the reliance on technology in modern filmmaking, particularly in adaptations of animated classics.

Bradshaw ended his review by saying it "feels like a superfluous piece of monetisable content", a sentiment echoed by many who believe that Disney's recent trend of remaking its animated classics has become a mere cash grab rather than an artistic endeavor.

The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey took a particularly harsh stance, calling Moana "a waste of everyone's time and talent" in her one-star review. "Is the situation really so dire that we'll now accept Dwayne Johnson repeating the exact same voice performance he gave a decade ago?" she wrote. Her critique underscores the challenge of nostalgia in film adaptations—while some viewers may appreciate the familiar voices and characters, others may find it unoriginal and uninspired.

She also criticized the animated feel of the movie, writing: "Supposedly, some scenes were shot on location in Hawaii and not in a studio in Atlanta - I couldn't tell you which." This observation raises questions about authenticity in adaptations, particularly when a film is based on a culture that is often underrepresented in mainstream media.

Empire's John Nugent commented that Johnson's character "feels like an AI interpretation", and to call the film "live action" feels like a misnomer because of the heavy use of animation. His two-star review stated that the remake feels "so pointless" when the original film was "a fun, funny, poignant coming-of-age yarn with fantastic music and a winning Polynesian spin on the Disney Princess template". The comparison to AI also reflects a broader discussion about the increasing role of technology in storytelling and whether it can truly replicate the depth of human creativity.

Kevin Maher from The Times added to the chorus of criticism, stating that 54-year-old Johnson was "three decades too old to play Maui", with "his performance oddly lacklustre and restrained". Maher, in his one-star review, also described the film as "a lazy cash grab for shareholders". His comments emphasize the perception that Disney's remakes often prioritize profit over artistic merit, leading to a cycle of discontent among audiences who yearn for innovative storytelling.

"This live-action remake takes everything that was sprightly, expansive and ambitious [from the original] and makes it leaden, limited and dull," he wrote. The notion of remakes diluting the essence of original works is a recurring theme in critiques of contemporary cinema.

'Could have been AI'

The Telegraph's Robbie Collin was also not a fan - writing that it "could have been made by a ChatGPT prompt". Giving the film two stars, he said there "is barely a moment in it which feels as if it couldn't have been achieved by typing: 'What if this scene from Moana was remade in live action?' into a prompt box". This perspective highlights a growing concern about the creativity of modern filmmaking, suggesting that many contemporary films lack originality and risk becoming formulaic.

Positive reviews were relatively rare, but there was one from the Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney, who described it as "captivating family entertainment that deserves to find an audience - brimming with visual interest, vibrant color, gorgeous design elements and alluring tropical settings". Rooney's perspective offers a counterpoint to the prevailing negativity and suggests that there are aspects of the film that could appeal to certain audiences, particularly families looking for visually engaging content.

The script has been adapted by the original screenwriter Jared Bush, with the music from Lin-Manuel Miranda remaining too while Hamilton stage director Thomas Kail makes his film debut. The involvement of these key figures from the original film raises questions about how much influence they had on the final product and whether their contributions were able to overcome the challenges faced by the adaptation.

In the past 15 years, there have been more than 20 live-action remakes of Disney classics - with varying levels of success. This trend has sparked debates about the value of remaking beloved films and whether it is possible to create something new and meaningful from established narratives. Critics argue that while some remakes have succeeded in bringing fresh perspectives, others have merely recycled existing content without adding any significant value.

In 2023, The Little Mermaid was not a box office hit, but the corporation bounced back in 2024 with Mufasa: The Lion King. Then last year Disney lost $170 million with its Snow White live-action remake, but quickly recouped costs a couple of months later when live-action Lilo & Stitch became one of the biggest films of the year, making $1 billion. These fluctuations in box office performance illustrate the unpredictable nature of film adaptations and the challenges that come with trying to recapture the magic of original works in a new format.

As Disney continues to navigate the complexities of remaking its animated classics, the mixed reception of Moana serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between nostalgia and innovation. While the allure of familiar may draw audiences in, the challenge lies in delivering a product that honors the original while also offering something new and engaging. The critical response to Moana's live-action adaptation may ultimately shape the future of Disney's approach to remakes, as the company grapples with the expectations of a diverse audience eager for authentic representation and compelling storytelling.