‘Moana’ Live Action Ending Explained How the Remake Handles the Finale

Disney’s live-action era continues to thrive, with the studio remaking beloved animated classics with real actors and stunning visual effects. The latest addition to this lineup is a fresh take on ‘Moana’, a film that has been cherished for a decade before receiving the remake treatment.

Directed by Thomas Kail in his feature directorial debut, the new ‘Moana’ features Catherine Laga’aia in her first major film role as the titular character, alongside Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as Maui after voicing the demigod in the original animated film. The movie premiered in theaters nationwide on July 10, with a screenplay credited to original writer Jared Bush and ‘Moana 2’ writer Dana Ledoux Miller.

For those curious about whether the remake alters the story’s conclusion, the answer is a resounding no. Multiple reviews confirm that the pivotal twist involving Te Ka’s true identity remains unchanged, maintaining the same emotional climax that made the 2016 original a success.

This climax features Moana confronting Te Ka, the formidable fire demon obstructing her path to Te Fiti’s island. Instead of battling the creature, Moana realizes that Te Ka and Te Fiti are one and the same, with the goddess’s lost heart having transformed her into a figure of rage and destruction. Moana calms Te Ka long enough to return the heart, restoring Te Fiti and healing the land in the process.

Critics have noted that this sequence remains almost entirely unchanged in the transition to live action. One review highlighted that the giant fire demon Te Ka closely resembles its animated counterpart, praising the decision to keep the character largely intact due to the significance of that reveal. The subsequent explosion of island greenery following Te Fiti’s restoration was also retained.

Where the remake introduces something new is in its music. The iconic songs from the original, such as “You’re Welcome” and “How Far I’ll Go,” return with minimal changes, with “How Far I’ll Go” now produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda. A brand new song titled “Along the Way,” featuring Johnson, Laga’aia, and original Moana voice actress Auli’i Cravalho, plays during the end credits rather than being integrated into the film, a choice that some reviewers felt was a missed opportunity given the talent involved.

Aside from the music, the distinctiveness of this version largely stems from performance rather than plot alterations. Johnson has reportedly embraced a more grounded, human portrayal of Maui, emphasizing the character’s backstory of parental rejection over his larger-than-life ego. Reviewers have pointed to the scene where he opens up to Moana about his past as one of the film’s most powerful emotional moments.

Overall, reactions to the remake have been mixed, with many critics leaning towards a more critical stance. Several outlets have described the film as a scene-for-scene, line-for-line recreation of the animated version, arguing that its reluctance to deviate from the original makes it feel unnecessary, especially since the 2016 film is still available for streaming. Others have been more forgiving, praising Laga’aia’s screen debut and labeling the film as one of the more successful entries in Disney’s ongoing series of live-action remakes, even while acknowledging that the bar is relatively low.

What seems clear across the board is that fans seeking a twist on the story’s resolution will not find one here. The heart of Te Fiti is still returned, Te Ka transforms back into the nurturing island goddess, and Moana continues to demonstrate that leadership is as much about compassion as it is about courage. For a remake focused on faithfully recreating a modern classic, adhering to that successful formula appears to have been the primary goal.

Whether you view this faithfulness as a strength or a missed opportunity likely depends on your feelings about the original ‘Moana’, and it is shaping up to be one of the more divisive topics among fans as the opening weekend approaches.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!