The newest Disney movie, “Moana” (Mo-Wan-A) is an innovative twist on the classic Disney tales of falling in love. Moana is the definition of anti-princess theme, with a beautiful message of finding who you really are, and finding relationships with people you never thought you could. It calls for people to embrace their family and community while also being brave and authentic to themselves.

One of the directors in the film stated that Moana is, “this young girl on a quest, and the balance of nature and the fate of her world is at stake. ”

The story itself came from the ancient stories of Polynesia, and the movie incorporated so many specific details about native Polynesian culture and customs including clothing, food, and living.

The folklore starts at the very point of the demigod, Maui, who simply might have ruined the entire welfare of the Polynesian islands by stealing the “Heart of Te Fiti,” a stone that represents all life and wellbeing of the islands. When Maui steals it, he casts a sort of evil spell on the islands, a darkness that can only be solved by Maui himself putting it back where it belongs.

There are monsters prowling everywhere for the stone that was buried deep in the ocean, and as a result, the chief of Motunui (the island) at that time had banned his people from ever going beyond the reef that cradled their island.

To the present day, where the movie takes place, we follow a young teenage girl named Moana (in which the directors describe her as “badass”) who feels as though she is has been called to the ocean since she was a toddler. However, her father, the chief of Motunui, sheltered her, and prevented her from going anywhere near the ocean.

This made Moana crave it even more, despite the many times her father told her that she had to own up to her chiefly duties.

Meanwhile, Moana discovers that her island is in trouble. The coconuts aren’t growing well and the fish supply is drying up in the reef. Moana knows from her grandmother’s stories that the way to restore prosperity to the island is to return the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. Her grandmother, the crazy lady of the island, told her to follow her heart, putting her once again in conflict.

Moana then set sail to find the demigod Maui, starting their adventures together, surprisingly with the appearance of a very stupid chicken named Hei-Hei.

Together they fight the lava monsters and the creatures of the deep, forming a bond that could never be broken.

“Moana” is a tale of friendship and believing in yourself, which inspired kids, and adults everywhere, and will be in Aspen theaters until Nov. 30, and in Basalt until Dec. 8..

“Moana” is a definite must-see, and a creative tale that will never be forgotten.