Box Office: ‘Moana’ Could Be Headed for Choppy Waters

Disney’s live-action *Moana* remake is drawing mixed-to-negative early reviews, with critics calling it "unnecessary" and overly faithful to the original. Coverage highlights concerns over the film’s execution, particularly its adherence to the 2016 animated classic, which some argue lacks innovation.

Outlets like *Rotten Tomatoes* and *Gizmodo* emphasize the film’s perceived lack of creative risk, framing it as a missed opportunity to reimagine the story. *Yahoo* focuses on Johnson’s response to backlash, while *ABC7 Los Angeles* spotlights Chavkin’s directorial debut. The tone across reviews suggests skepticism about audience reception, though no box office data has been released.

Watching for: whether early word-of-mouth shifts box office projections, if Disney responds to criticism with marketing adjustments, or if comparisons to other live-action remakes (e.g., *Aladdin*, *The Lion King*) intensify. Release date and regional performance trends will be key indicators of its commercial fate.