Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated feature film “Moana” opened this Thanksgiving weekend and so far has earned a whopping $88 million in the United States, and over $91 million globally. This opening is the second biggest Thanksgiving, next to another Disney hit, “Frozen” back in 2013.
WATCH: Moana Official Trailer via verified Walt Disney Animation Studios YouTube channel
Box Office Sales Steadily Climbing
According to a Forbes article, the animated film breathes back life again to Disney, which has been trailing behind Universal Studios in terms of box office earnings. With “Moana,” Disney broke the rival studio’s annual box office record for this year, having earned more than the $43 million it needed to go past that of Universal.
Box office sales figures so far do not show the complete picture as the film is still slated to open in other territories such as Asia, Europe, Australia from now until March 2017. In the Philippines, it will open on November 30.
What Reviews Say So Far
According to the New York Times, the film is considered to be one of “best-reviewed” releases of the year. It also joins “Frozen” in the ranks of biggest Thanksgiving openings ever.
A review on Forbes by Scott Mendelsohn called the film another “powerhouse piece of girl myth-making.” The reviewer said that it continues what “Frozen” did in terms of storytelling. It tells the story of a young Polynesian princess who sets out on an adventure to prove herself and to save her people, of course. As she goes out on her own, against her family’s wishes, naturally, she is joined by not-the-usual “sidekick” but a demi-god called Maui.
The review cited that despite the very simple story of the movie, this did not stop Disney from coming up with scenes that will surely take one’s breath away. Another positive point are the complex and “richly developed characters.” The lead character for example is not your usual Disney princess. She even has her own action scene against one of the movie’s antagonists.
Maui, the demi-god, voiced by “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson also offers a new look into what makes a sidekick. According to the review, he is shown as somebody who is “not quite the hero” of the story. Throughout the movie, he sometimes shows a dark side when it comes to his relationship with Moana.
Another review site, Common Sense Media, recommends the movie for children, ages 6 and up. According to its review, it offers “positive messages of self-discovery and empowerment,” and its lead character, Moana “is a great role model, demonstrating perseverance, curiosity, and courage.”
In the Philippines, “Moana” opens in theaters on November 30.
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Featured photo source: Moana Verified Facebook Page
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