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Moana trailer: Set off on a Pacific adventure with Disney's latest animated movie

The film features the voicework of Dwayne Johnson as the fearsome demi-god Maui, alongside newcomer Auli'i Cravalho

Clarisse Loughrey
Thursday 15 September 2016 17:29 BST
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Moana - Trailer

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Between the titanic forces of Marvel's Doctor Strange and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, it's easy to forget Disney's got yet another offering on its plate for 2016.

That's soon about to change, however, as we're get better glimpses at animation Moana; which promises to be a thrilling ride set in the South Pacific, featuring the voice talents of Dwayne Johnson as the formidable demi-god Maui; who aids our titular hero, voiced by newcomer Auli'i Cravalho.

Here's the full synopsis:

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest.

During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds.

The film's a fairly notable entry into the studio's canon of female characters, as it's been confirmed Moana will not have a love interest; focusing instead on “finding herself” while battling to save the world.

Moana follows in the footsteps of Disney's highly successful outing with Zootropolis earlier this year; which garnered rave reviews and crossed the $1BN mark worldwide. And it certainly seems like Moana could be capable of the same, thanks to the gargantuan talents of classic Disney directors Ron Clements and John Musker, who both worked on Aladdin and The Princess and the Frog; as well as a co-writing credit from Taika Waititi, currently helming Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok.

On top of that, the soundtrack features work from Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created both the Broadway smash Hamilton and the cantina music in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Moana arrives in UK cinemas on 2 December.

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