The Film (5/5)

    I feel like a broken record at this point talking about Disney animation's current streak, but since the release of Tangled Disney Animation studios have released nothing but top notch animated cinema. The studio has not had a streak this hot since their late 80's, early 90's period that began with the Little Mermaid, and ended with the Lion King.  I keep watching each new Disney film wondering when this streak will end, because each film is drastically different from the next with certain Disney-esque elements between them. However, with the studio not producing exactly cookie cutter family fare something will have to give eventually, fortunately that has not happened yet, and with Moana they continue to create brilliant film content.

    Moana tells the story of the titular character, voiced by Auli’I Cravalho who as a child finds herself ALMOST in the possession of a mythical stone. This stone was once stolen by the Demigod, Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson). She missed at the time, but ends up acquiring it later. As it turns out Maui's theft of the stone set a curse upon the Pacific Island region that Moana and her tribe are from, and it is up to Moana, and Maui to adventure together, however reluctantly to put the stone back where it belongs, and life the curse on the islands.

    Moana is an absolute delight of a film. The film is packed solid with a stunning mix of adventure and comedy that will certainly please viewers of all ages. The performances from the cast are perfect especially new comer Auli’I Cravalho as Moana, and Dwayne Johnson as Maui. The tone of the film is excellent blending action and adventure, but not being afraid to blend darker, scarier moments throughout.

Audio/Video (5/5)

     Moana is presented with a 1080p AVC encoded 2:39:1 transfer that is in a word stunning. The transfer replicates the vibrant colors of the original film perfectly, detail is excellent and blacks are deep.  Audio is presented with a DTS-HD 7.1 track in English. The track is excellent with dialogue, score and ambient effects coming through nicely.

Extras (4/5)

   The film is loaded up with extras. Disney provides viewers with documentaries, a commentary track, deleted scenes, 2 shorts films, and much more.

Overall

    Moana helps Disney continue the streak of excellent filmmaking they have been riding for the last decade. The  film is an absolute delight packed with great music, action, adventure, scares, and comedy. The Blu-ray looks and sounds wonderful, and is packed with extras. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.