What to Know
Even before the live action Moana movie premiered, it had a lot to live up to. The original animated film is one of those Disney classics, and even with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui, there was a lot of concern over how the adaptation would work. So when it did premiere globally, there was some major pushback from audiences.
So much so that some took to social media to share their many reasons why the movie should not have gone the live action route. After someone posted a TikTok with a scene from the live action film, users commented to point out all the reasons why it just does not work. I guess that means Moana 2 will not be getting the live action treatment.
The live action ‘Moana’ really has people asking why.
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The clip shows Johnson as Maui singing his iconic “You’re Welcome” song in the live action version of the film. He does the same moves, dances, and tricks as he does in the animated film. Except, in the live action Moana movie, Johnson is accompanied by special effects and what honestly looks a bit like an obvious green screen.
Since, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie has a $250 million budget, that was just a tad bit disappointing for fans. For some, though, with the belief ahead of the movie’s release that it wouldn’t hold up against the original animated film, maybe it didn’t stand a chance to begin with.
“So it’s exactly like the original except worse in every way,” one user commented on the TikTok video.
“This looks like actors on a Broadway stage,” another user added. “Has the crew ever been to a beach? What is this lighting? Why are the rock shadows at a different angle from the people shadows?”
Another person poked at Johnson’s moves as Maui.
“Did Dwayne not want to make exaggerated movements or something?” They wrote. “Looks like he’s doing as little as possible lol.”
People can’t get over Dwayne Johnson as Maui in the flesh.
Johnson told E! News that he had to wear a 40-pound bodysuit to get the right look of Maui’s body, complete with the tattoos that, using visual effects, move during the movie. Johnson was clearly all in when it came to bringing the character he voiced in two movies to live with the live action version. It just didn’t resonate with everyone how he thought it might.
“I know he’s Maui in both films but he does not feel like Maui in this one at all,” a commenter added under the TikTok with the movie clip.
Johnson does look the part in the live action Moana movie. Plus, he has the voice down perfectly, since it’s his voice in the OG films. But he still missed the mark according to some fans.
A person also joked, “It kind of looks like an SNL skit.”
Some joked it would really work as an animated film.
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As one person put it in the comments under the TikTok, “The effects look terrible. This would have made an amazing animated film.” And the effects in the clip are more reminiscent of a set rather than real life.
Then again, it can’t be all that easy to film scenes at sea, and much of Moana takes place on or below water. Tell that to the Moana purists, though, because they are here for the animated film and nothing more.
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