Moana

(Ron Clements & John Musker/2016/USA)

The sorcerers at Disney towers look out from the wastelands of Pixar and train their eye on the Polynesian cultures of the Pacific Ocean, cherry picking bits and pieces from a number of individually distinct tribes and mash them together for a big CGI shit show of fun. This is the problem with Disney, it makes great movies, they really are fun and hugely enjoyable for the family but the level of cultural misappropriation and deliberate, conscious vandalising of indigenous cultures in its movies makes them an extremely guilty pleasure. It can’t be that hard to put in a little more effort and get the films accurate and educationally beneficial as well as entertaining. So capitalist piggery aside this is one of the sinfully good Disney outings. Effortlessly funny, great characterisation and another strong female lead too with brilliant animation. The fact that the legions of Polynesian cultures are presented as a distinct single entity that results in a perfect postcard picture of the Pacific islands is more than just a by the way. Disney was in conversation with Hawaii airlines about deals for routes to the area apparently. So as a parent I’m happy my kids are getting an afternoons entertainment but unhappy they are being subjected to a generalised paintbrush stroke of ancient cultures in some half arsed tourism effort.

(3/5)