The Moral Mistake in Moana | Video Essay

What did you think of Moana? And are you hyped for the upcoming Hamilton and Lin-Manuel Miranda videos??

yeah his hook wasn't his heroism. it's his tool. that's why I think the ending is pretty ok. without it he is still a hero at heart. but it seems tefiti gives it back because she knows he will now use it for even greater deeds

Dude, I love the passion in your voice! And yeah, I totally get where you're coming from? But perhaps, because in the folklore the hook is a part of his persona, it wouldn't be serving much to original tales if, in the end, Maui had no hook.

Except Thor gained more power at the end of Ragnarok. The point of Maoui getting his hook back at the end is to show that he has re-earned his powers in a different way. That's my take anyway.

I have to disagree. Most similar cases i would agree, there are other examples of script choices that undermines arcs, characters and whole stories- but in this case hes Arc was so clear by his sacrifice and how he directly talked about it that theres no room for it to 'go away' by he getting a new one. It actually doubles down on the main reasoning he made and on his arc- it confirms the reason why he got the hook, the thing he failed to realise before- that it was him and his greatness. I know that usually a character ending in a different place (in practice) shows development- doesn't mean theres no development whitout what to 'show' for it. I get how its such a staple in writing to do so but i also kinda get tired of the usual character arcs- theres also value in writers exploring how people often 'doesn't really change', and the only reason why its avoided in writing is because of how hard it is to do it proper, in a compeling way and deriving some sort of conclusion or development from it. His arc, even if he didn't gained the hook, reflects how hes one of those characters- he is so tied to this 'nature' of his (unchanging, hard to change), not 'hook hero' but being the full of himself hero of the people, that said nature helps he realize he didn't needed the hook. In actualicty his arc doesn't show development as change, not at all, his reasoning could be compared to some sort of 'mental loophole' that puts he back to the place he was and is confortable with- his development was of another kind, character growth, wisdom, self knowledge- but no change whatsoever... and frankly he wouldn't change if he continued without the hook. And that btw is extremely fitting- it is actually the best way to explore a mythical character who is, in reality (he is a real myth, not person of course), timeless. The arc actually helps reinforce that even more, how trully he is the timeless hero, how thats trully his nature. In the end that ties directly with the greater themes and lessons in the movie and the protagonists arc- it is fitting he keeps being the inspiration to his people as he was, and in this case that means 'believing in yourself' and doubling down on your efforts and pursuit of said self. He could have changed if the writers changed the script accordingly- he could perhaps have ended a entirely different person, like settling down but still inspiring in new ways and other possible outcomes, fitting scenarios of actual change that would be fitting to the story- but that would end up being more generic or less reinforcing then the one chosen. That btw would lead to a much more sensible and realistic lesson- but isn't the mythical heroes role to teach realistic lessons about accepting our limitations, his major historical role is inspiring for things greater then ourselves, therefore greater then life- and it jus ties everything up all the more fitting that the story ends in a way that 'could be fitted' into his mythology- as if the story could have happened to a real hero, and thats why no stories of him tell about the time he lost his hook and settled down. As with most things, and moreso then any other thing, theres no single way or answer to how to develop or finish stories. Multiple possibilites can be as good. But given the theme, where it draws inspiration from, the kinds of messages,how it wants to raise and reinforce the source material that needs representation (rather then deconstructing), etc, etc- arguably the authors have chosen one of the best if not the best of the possible good ways they could have ended it.

Moana is certainly an absolute treat to watch. The visuals are some of the best I’ve ever seen in an animated film, and the music is wonderful. Definitely one of my favorite recent Disney movies. Very interesting video, I never really thought about this aspect of the movie. Another great vid.👍

Maui only got his hook AFTER apologizing, and AFTER being willing to give up the thing he treasured most. He learned his lesson, and the gods simply rewarded him for having done so. THAT'S why it was so important that Maui work to return the heart, so that he could relearn who he was, and become better for it.

have you noticed that in every form maui takes he has the pattern of a hook somewhere on him? also, tefiti looks pretty similar to both Moana and her mom

PEGGOT! PEGGOT! PEGGOT! PEGGOT! I HAVEN'T SAID IT ENOUGH! PEGGOT! PEGGOT!

I would likely to respectfully disagree. From a certain point of view, I understand where you are coming from when it comes to Maui getting back his hook. But the reason why is because the message for that scene was showing gratitude and be grateful for what you are gifted with. Maui people failed to have gratitude towards Maui, who gifted them with many things. This is why when he met Moana he tried getting her to show gratitude for what he does and doesn’t. But when he losses his hook maui comes to the conclusion that he doesn’t need his hook. It shows that he has change and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. And when maui was granted his hook, tefiti showed gratitude by giving him a new hook.

I don't think I quite agree. I think in the end he showed that he was really deserving of the hook again. He could be Maui with or without the hook but he still loves it and it is something that he holds dear, but at the end he realised that it doesn't define him or his capability of doing great things. Nevertheless why wouldn't Te Fiti, as a God, restore something so important to Maui if she has the power to do so?

But maui’s character arc isnt about him using the hook. If it was, his character arc would have been over at the beginjing since he didnt have it. His arc is realising that his heroism comes from within and not the hook. His flaw was not that he used a hook it was that he placed his self worth in the hook. At the end, maui is able to recognize that he is still a hero without the hook. After that, there is no reason for him not to have the hook

“triton doesnt have a reason to be an overbearing parent” did you not watch the movie?? His wife was murdered by pirates. Of course he hates humans and doesnt want his daughter going near them.

First video I've watched of yours, really well done, you've got my sub.

2:56 Uncle Iroh from Avatar the last airbender

Then.... Thor gets a new hammer!

Another moral mistake (in my opinion): if the water is cognizant, treat it as such. When Moana pleads for help (in the storm), the water brings her to Maui’s island. She blames and screams at the water, now calm, for being no help. When she realizes that she’s wrong, she doesn’t apologize. Watching it, I told my two daughters that Moana made a mistake and it was rude of her to not own up to it. If the water was able to show offense (and it did), Moana needed to treat it more respectfully. I loved the water, as a character itself. It let Moana make the choice, then it acted to support her.

Remember me when you make it big

Pretty much what happened to Thor between Ragnarok, IW and End Game.

I just love the sound of your voice 😂😘💋