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'Moana' is one of the better Disney animated features to come along in a while

( PG ) ( Monitor Movie Guide )

'Moana' stars Auli'i Cravalho as a young Polynesian girl who must save her island homeland. The movie co-stars Dwayne Johnson.

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Disney/AP
This image released by Disney shows characters Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, left, and Moana, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, in a scene from the animated film, "Moana."
  • By Peter Rainer Film critic

One of the better Disney animated features to come along in a while, “Moana,” which is about a magical Polynesian girl who saves her island homeland from extinction, has supercharged wit, eye-popping visuals featuring azure seas and glowing coral, spirited voice work from Auli’i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as the rollicky tattooed semi-deity Maui, and a couple of sprightly songs co-written by Lin-Manuel Miranda of "Hamilton." The film’s quartet of directors are Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams, and Don Hall. 

I rue the day when this becomes a Broadway musical. Grade: B+ (Rated PG for peril, some scary images and brief thematic elements.)

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