Moana

BRYCE **1/2
Disney returns with yet another headstrong princess on a musical adventure in "Moana."  It seems like I say this about a film almost every year, but "Moana" is probably the most beautifully animated movie I have ever seen.  From the lush tropical islands to the incredible water effects, the "Moana" animators have certainly raised the bar for their craft.  Much like the last two Disney musicals, "Tangled" and "Frozen," this latest movie has one great featured song ("How Far I'll Go" by "Hamilton" writer Lin-Manuel Miranda) and a half a dozen forgettable songs that do their job, but don't really stand out.  Also like the last two Disney musicals, in an attempt to be "hip," many of the characters speak like contemporary teenagers and provide more than a few eye-rolling lines.  While it bothered me in very few moments in those other movies, it seems especially egregious in this one.  The film's biggest offender is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's character Maui.  He's supposed to be an ancient demigod but comes off like a 16-year-old high school jock. Outside of those complaints, "Moana" is pretty successful.  I was engaged throughout the film, I just wish they would've tweaked a few things to maximize its potential.

CHASE ***
LANDON ***
LOGAN ***

BANGERANG SCORE: ***