Dwayne Johnson is looking beyond the negative reviews for Disney’s live-action remake of Moana, emphasizing the film’s representation of Polynesian culture.
Dwayne Johnson Responds to Critics
Speaking with People, Johnson recalled that the movie’s first two reviews were highly positive. The broader critical response soon shifted, however, with the film currently reflecting a 32% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its audience score is holding significantly higher at 88%.
Johnson said he understood that sharply divided reactions are part of working in the entertainment industry:
“That’s just the way it goes because we’re in this business.”
“The challenge was, okay, let’s remember, though, what’s going to be beyond this opening weekend. Let’s remember what’s happening right now and the noise that’s happening right now.”
“If you love it, great. If you don’t, no problem.”
Johnson says he and his wife, Lauren Hashian, often discussed the film’s reception during late-night conversations at home. According to the actor, they tried to look beyond the immediate response surrounding its opening weekend and consider what the movie could mean in the longer term.
‘That’s Us Up There’
Johnson, whose Samoan heritage comes through his mother, Ata Johnson, said authentic Polynesian representation was a central reason for making the live-action adaptation. He emphasized the significance of children seeing themselves and their culture reflected in a major theatrical release:
“Because of me and our kids who can now look at the big screen and go, ‘That’s us for the first time on a big screen. That’s us up there. How cool is that?’”
Hashian similarly highlighted the film’s themes of family, love, loss, and perseverance, emphasizing the resonance of those ideas with all viewers.
“Even if you’re not Polynesian, I think we can understand family and love and loss and perseverance — especially as a mom. Having kids and watching it through their eyes, for me, it’s very magical.”
Johnson reprised his role as the demigod Maui after voicing the character in the 2016 animated film and its 2024 sequel, Moana 2. Catherine Lagaʻaia stars as Moana in the live-action adaptation, which was directed by Thomas Kail and released in theaters on July 10.
The remake earned more than $263 million worldwide by the time of the People interview against a reported production budget of $250 million. Its performance fell well below the billion-dollar worldwide total of the animated Moana 2.
Disney subsequently acknowledged that both the live-action Moana and The Mandalorian and Grogu underperformed at the box office. The company cited the two films’ weaker theatrical performances while discussing its entertainment results.
Johnson and Hashian also co-executive produced Moana: Voices Across the Ocean, a companion album featuring original music by Pacific Island artists. The album was released digitally on July 31.
What did you think of the live-action Moana? Let us know on social media.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The post Dwayne Johnson Responds to Negative Reviews for Live-Action ‘Moana’ appeared first on WDW News Today.
