Disney's live-action adaptation of "Moana," starring Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui and newcomer Catherine Laga'aia as Moana, has been described as a "lazy, shot-by-shot redo" that offers little in the way of new content.

The film follows the same narrative as its 2016 animated predecessor, with Moana, the daughter of a Polynesian island chief, embarking on a journey across the ocean to find Maui and restore the stolen heart of the nature goddess Te Fiti, thereby saving her people from a looming starvation. The original "Moana" was celebrated for its vibrant animation and performances, particularly from Auliʻi Cravalho as the voice of Moana.

Critics have noted a lack of creative vision in the live-action remake, directed by Thomas Kail, whose previous credits include "Grease Live!" and the stage recording of "Hamilton." The review suggests that the film relies too heavily on the source material, presenting what is essentially a "regurgitation" without any added elements to distinguish it from the animated version. This approach stands in contrast to some of Disney's earlier live-action remakes like "Cinderella" or "The Jungle Book," which were seen as successful adaptations.

Visuals have also drawn criticism, with descriptions of the film appearing "fake" and "visually duller" than the original. Specific concerns were raised about the artificial lighting in beach scenes, the unrealistic appearance of animals, and Johnson's wig. The soundtrack, replicating Lin-Manuel Miranda's original music, is also reported to be less captivating.

This "Moana" remake follows a pattern of Disney adapting its animated classics into live-action films, a strategy that has seen varied success, with some generating over a billion dollars globally. However, the review posits that for such remakes to succeed, they must offer more than just a familiar story, questioning the justification for a new film if it doesn't provide a compelling reason for its existence beyond financial gain.

The film, rated PG, runs for 1 hour and 55 minutes and is now in theaters.