The trailer, released on 23/3, features Dwayne Johnson, known as The Rock, as the demigod Maui, complete with long hair and tattoos mirroring the animated character. The preview also introduces Catherine Laga'aia in the title role, alongside characters like Tamatoa the crab, Pua the pig, and Hei Hei the rooster.

According to IGN, many viewers believe the film is unnecessary at this time. The original, released in 2016, and its 2024 sequel achieved global success, collectively earning over 1 billion USD. A YouTube commenter questioned, "What's the point of remaking a CGI animated film less than 10 years old into a version still heavily reliant on special effects?"

On Threads, many opinions suggested The Rock's portrayal lacked realism. Some viewers felt his face and hair appeared digitally manipulated, raising questions about the extent of CGI dependence.

On X, a user compared Catherine Laga'aia's real-life image to a trailer screenshot, commenting, "Her hair is beautiful in real life. In the movie, it looks like it was AI-processed to be straighter." Another remarked, "The hair is a highlight of the animated character's design; the filmmakers should have retained this." Additionally, audiences felt the visuals did not fully utilize real-world settings and lacked the original animation's vibrant color palette.

Actress Catherine Laga'aia plays Moana. Photo: Alexei Hay/Disney Studios

Thomas Kail directs the film, with Auli'i Cravalho and Lin-Manuel Miranda, key figures behind the animated success, serving as producers. The plot centers on Moana's journey from Motunui, crossing the ocean to find the demigod Maui, retrieve the heart of goddess Te Fiti, and save her homeland from destruction.

Disney has frequently adapted classic animated films into live-action versions since the 1990s. These remakes typically retain the original storyline, using real actors combined with CGI to enhance visual realism. To date, the studio has produced over 15 such projects, including: "101 Dalmatians", "Cinderella", "The Jungle Book", "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin", "The Lion King", "Mulan", "The Little Mermaid", and "Snow White".

Cat Tien (according to IGN, Digital Spy)