Critics Brand Disney's 2026 Moana Remake Soulless as Film Opens July 10

Q: Is Catherine Laga'aia's debut strong enough to save a remake critics are calling creatively bankrupt?

Not on the evidence available so far. Early reaction suggests Catherine Laga'aia is one of the remake’s clearest strengths, but not enough by itself to overcome broader complaints that the film is too derivative. The strongest praise in the first social-media responses is aimed at Laga'aia. Attendees called her performance captivating, noted her comedic chemistry with Dwayne Johnson, and pointed to her emotional presence as a reason the film still carries some of the original’s spirit. For a debut feature performance, that is a meaningful early win, especially in a role so closely tied to Auliʻi Cravalho’s beloved original turn. But the criticism surrounding the film is larger than any one actor can fix. Many early viewers described the remake as a “shot-for-shot” or “beat-for-beat” retread of the 2016 animated film, with little creative justification for revisiting material that is only a decade old and follows a 2024 animated sequel. Some also criticized the visuals as flat and questioned Dwayne Johnson’s Maui, suggesting the film’s problems are structural, aesthetic and conceptual. That leaves Laga'aia in a familiar position for remakes under fire: she may be able to make the film watchable, even appealing for some audiences, without changing the central argument against its existence. If full reviews echo the premiere reactions, the likely verdict will be that her debut helps “Moana” more than it saves it.

3 articles · Updated · Digital Spy · Jul 8

First reactions to Disney’s live-action “Moana” skewed sharply negative, with critics on X calling the 2026 remake “creatively bankrupt,” “soulless” and an unnecessary retread ahead of its July 10 release.
Much of the backlash centered on claims that the film is a near shot-for-shot remake of the 2016 original, with reviewers criticizing flat visuals, heavy CGI and little new storytelling.
Catherine Laga’aia drew some of the strongest praise even from detractors, while a smaller group of early viewers said her chemistry with Dwayne Johnson helped make the remake enjoyable.
The response extends skepticism that has followed the project since Disney announced it in April 2023, though the film is still expected to draw significant box-office revenue.