Find out how Johnson’s emotions, background, and personal life connected with the film’s themes and characters.

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Disney’s animated feature “Moana,” which debuted seven years ago, not only captured the hearts of viewers but also had a particular place in the affections of its star, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. As the anniversary of the movie draws near, let’s take a moment to reminisce on Johnson’s strong bond with it and how it spoke to him personally.

A heroine that reminded him of his daughter

The strong, self-reliant female lead in “Moana” was one of its most notable aspects. Johnson was especially intrigued to this feature because he thought it was pertinent and empowering. There isn’t a romantic attraction. Additionally, Johnson noted that there isn’t a damsel in distress figure in this story. He said that Moana reflected his own 15-year-old daughter, calling her “ambitious” and possessing a “strong point of view.”

Johnson’s devotion to the picture was influenced by his own heritage in addition to the character ties. Being of Polynesian origin, he saw “Moana” as a chance to present Polynesian culture on a large scale. Johnson voiced the role Maui, who even resembled his grandpa, a high chief of Samoa with numerous tribal tattoos all over his body. Johnson found the movie much more moving because of this personal connection. He admitted, laughing, “Just to be clear, they’re all manly tears though. I have never cried consistently through a movie more than I have with this one.”

Difficulties and treasured times

Johnson had never voiced an animated character before, so it was a fresh experience that required him to use various acting techniques. By using many cameras to capture his face expressions for incorporation into the animation, he brought attention to the difficulty of expressing emotions only through voice. However, there were also humorous moments among the difficulties. A memorable scene from the movie that Johnson cherished was when Maui tries to name Moana a princess in a lighthearted way by saying, “Well, listen, if you got a dress and you got a sidekick then you’re a princess.” Johnson called it the film’s “best line.”

Looking back, “Moana” is a monument to the strength of interpersonal relationships, culture, and storytelling. It was a voyage entwined with his own life and ancestry for Dwayne Johnson, not simply another movie.