Moana Live-Action Remake Raises Questions About Adaptation Strategy

Disney's live-action adaptation of Moana has hit theaters, but it raises questions about the appeal of remaking classic films. The movie is a frame-for-frame recreation of the 2016 animated hit, with some minor adjustments to pacing and runtime. The cast includes Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson reprising his role as Maui, although he mostly plays a rock in this version.

The story follows Moana (Catherine Laga'aia), the daughter of a tribe's chief, who sets out on a quest to calm Te Fiti's violent anger and end her island tribe's fear of oceanic exploration. The movie features many familiar elements from the original, including songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Opetaia Foa'i.

Disney has a history of remaking its classic films, with 17 live-action adaptations already released or in production. While some critics argue that these movies offer little reason for their own existence, others see them as opportunities to revisit beloved stories in new ways.