Walt Disney’s “Moana” sails into theaters November 2016

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Isabella Whitaker, Staff Writer

Disney fans are anxiously awaiting the newest fall release of the movie Moana.

For decades, Disney fans have scrutinized the impossible beauty standards perpetuated by the famous princesses. Those fans now have high hopes for the newest motion picture, Moana, featuring a Polynesian teenager who sets sail on the open sea to save her people. During her voyage, Moana, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, meets a demigod Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson. The adventurers encounter monsters and insurmountable obstacles when at sea. However, Moana brings honor to her ancestors by fulfilling their ancient quest. Like most Disney films, the young girl, in arguably the most important discovery of all, finds her true self along the way.

People of all ages have high expectations for the movie as Disney is finally showcasing a female lead who does not fit the stereotypical, Eurocentric Disney mold . The company has received profound backlash over the years for creating characters with “stick thin” bodies and perfect, smooth skin as far back as Snow White and as recent as Elsa. With her chestnut skin tone, thick eyebrows, and natural curves, she embodies a more realistic standard of beauty that children’s movies have lacked for so long.

Young girls are not the only ones who may benefit from the more realistic character representation in the film. Maui, the male protagonist, depicts a more realistic physique. By ditching their chiseled prince charming and the romantic plot line all together, Disney is not only making prominent strides in their more humanistic depiction of their lead characters but is also no longer stressing the importance of romantic relationships. The unhealthy idea that having a significant other completes you might finally be gone.

Though only one trailer has been released thus far, critics say the graphics seem incredibly promising. For the first time ever, Disney has set the entire film almost entirely submerged in the ocean. The wave animation specifically, looks seamless and unique.

Hopefully prepared for the inevitable scrutiny, Moana sails into U.S theaters November 23rd 2016.