Moana might not be the greatest of the Disney films but it is up there with the best.  A classic, hero/heroine quest story coupled with a truly independent and driven protagonist who solves all her own problems and isn’t dependent on the love of a prince (indeed, the love in this film is reserved for family and community).  A runaway princess who is very aware of her responsibilities and always intends to return home to fulfil those duties: it is a novel concept for a “fairy tale” film intended to sell toys and other fluffy merchandise..  In this, Disney is continuing the brilliant pro-female themes set forth in Frozen.

The truly brilliant part of the film however are the visuals.  These never dominate the process of viewing the film – you’re never distracted by the impressive nature of the water in the way you were when you watched the The Good Dinosaur – but this is something special.  I mean really special.

Take a look at the song “You’re Welcome” (featuring a surprisingly listenable vocal from The Rock).  The scenery is astonishing enough (on the big screen it can take a moment to realise you’re not seeing the real world) but its the lighting that pushed me back in my seat.

Watch it again from 2:07 onwards.  There’s some next level witchcraft on the go there.  Somehow Disney have managed to light Moana and Maui in a way that makes them more “real” than the illustrated crowd without compromising the truth that Disney preserves in all its characters: that they’re animated creations.

I feel I’m not articulating that point well enough.  Whatever.  Watch the song again, its catchy.

You’re welcome.