debuts in theaters just in time for the beloved tradition of seeing a movie during the Thanksgiving holiday. The highly-anticipated sequel to the record-breaking film on Disney+, reteams Moana and fan-favorite demigod Maui, played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, in an all-new adventure.
Moana’s primary cinematic outing established her as the rightful leader guiding the people of Motunui, a role often misconstrued in Western media as that of a traditional princess type. As we embark on this journey, there’s an unmistakable parallel between being a monarch in the context of guidance and our role as leaders-in-the-making, with its connotations of authority and direction. Although Moana’s membership in the Disney Princess franchise is officially recognized, her status remains open to debate.
Disney’s Moana, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, recently opened up about the ongoing debate surrounding Disney princesses, a topic that directly affects her character and legacy. Movies are always a reflection of their time. In today’s era, we yearn for a young woman to emerge as the protagonist of her own life narrative. While she holds royal status, she has also demonstrated remarkable bravery and selflessness, making her an inspiring figure in every sense. That’s equivalent to saying that these two phrases are synonyms.
While Disney Princesses and Royal Queens may seem distinct, this distinction is primarily driven by marketing efforts to promote merchandise under separate umbrellas, rather than any inherent differences in their characters or roles.
Luckily, Moana’s aesthetic remains thematically consistent throughout her story, aligning with Cravalho’s sentiments: “You won’t typically find Moana in a ballgown.” And that’s nice.”
Moana queries whether she’s truly a princess, to which Maui wryly responds that, indeed, many perceive her as one, thus blurring the lines between perception and reality. As she prepares to embark on her journey, she will officially become the courageous Disney Princess Moana, Chief of Motunui and skilled Wayfinder.
Opens in theaters this Friday and is now available to stream on Disney+.
Need extra io9 information?
When to Count On: The Newest , , and Releases, What’s Next for the Future, and Everything You Should Know.
