[Dispatch=Reporter Lee A-jin] Based on the trailer alone, Disney's live-action adaptation finally seemed to have found its direction. The casting itself earned a passing grade with its high synchronicity to the original.

In fact, the film 'Moana' (Director Thomas Kail) charted a different course from Disney's previous live-action films. Rather than attempting forced reinterpretation, it remained faithful to the source material. It followed as closely as possible the image, story, and message of the original high-quality animation.

However, upon opening the lid, that alone proved insufficient. Staying true to the source material does not automatically bring along the entertainment value. 'Moana' demonstrated both what Disney's live-action films should preserve and what else needs to be added.

※ This review contains spoilers for the film 'Moana'.

The most striking aspect is the casting. Disney's live-action adaptations have not been free from controversy from the casting stage onward. Both 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Snow White' saw their box office performance hampered by the disconnect from the original character images.

This time was different. Catherine Laga'aia brings Moana to mind directly. Her round face, strong gaze, and confident voice all demonstrate high synchronicity with the original character.

Maui surpasses the original. While the animated Maui had a massive build and playful charm, the live-action version drew out a different appeal. Dwayne Johnson's muscular physique and sculpted features more strongly convince the demigod setting.

His personality leans closer to slickness than the original's candor. He struts about calling himself the world's hero, only to quickly reveal his gaps. An acting performance that alternates between bluster and sloppiness generates small laughs.

The story also remains faithful to the source. A curse befalls the once-peaceful island of Motunui. Plants wither, and fish can no longer be caught from the sea. Moana sets out on a fateful adventure with the legendary hero Maui to save her island.

In fact, 'Moana' was originally a work that presented a progressive vision of womanhood. Unlike 'Aladdin' or 'Snow White', there was not a strong need for modern reinterpretation. That is why this live-action adaptation could retain the original's texture as is.

Character implementation is clever too. Non-human characters were not made overly realistic. Given that it is a work with a fantasy-heavy worldview, it chose to naturally blur the boundary between animation and live-action.

Moana's pets Pua and Heihei displayed rich expressions. The pirate crew Kakamora in coconut armor and the giant crab monster Tamatoa also preserved the playful texture of the animation. As a result, the awkwardness unique to live-action adaptation was not significant.

The problem is that faithfulness to the source material does not automatically translate into entertainment value. The film lacks the pleasure unique to live-action cinema. While there is familiarity in seeing a story you already know, there is insufficient surprise beyond that.

The most disappointing aspect is the absence of spectacle befitting a large screen. The shipwreck scene and the battle with Kakamora both conclude relatively quickly. The protagonist's power-up is so strong that even the confrontation with final boss Te Kā fails to deliver significant thrills.

The rendering of natural landscapes such as the sea and sky is also disappointing. While it appears to have attempted to preserve an animated texture, it does not blend naturally. An incongruity between characters and background emerges, diminishing immersion.

Despite the disappointments, the original's message of courage and challenge is sufficiently conveyed. The early scene where Moana sings the theme song is enough to make a fan's heart race. However, that excitement does not carry through as the driving force for the entire film.

'Moana' clearly proved what Disney's live-action adaptations must preserve. Not compromising the original's image and message. That alone is enough to meet the expectations of original fans.

Yet it left another task remaining. Preserving the original and creating new entertainment are different matters. The familiar story and visuals are welcome, but familiarity alone is insufficient to make audiences enthusiastic.

<Photos provided by Disney>