Did you find Moana offensive?

[aristocatz]

Took my 4 year old to see her very first movie today-Moana! She loved it! I had been dying to see it & I loved it as well-the story, the visual artwork, the characters, etc...

I remember back in the fall when Disney was getting alot of flack for the Maui Halloween costumes & pajamas they were selling, saying they were offensive to Samoan & other Polynesian culture. I remember certain people on my Facebook blowing up about this as well.

When I got home from the movie, I was reading up on the movie & saw that the movie received mixed reviews from the Polynesian population, with many people offended that Maui was depicted as so large.

I just don't understand all of the criticism. I was actually so impressed to finally see a Disney princess with some meat on her bones! & I thought it was fitting that Maui was so big because he had such a big personality. I couldn't understand the anger over the Halloween costumes.....they just depicted him the way he looked....& he was a pretty cool character, so I could understand why some boys might have wanted to be him for Halloween.

I hope I'm not offending anyone-I mean no disrespect. & maybe I'm naive, but I thought that movie was something to make the culture proud.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I loved the movie. Moana has a great message, without overdoing it. The Rock IS Maui..AWESOME!! I don't find it offensive. JMHO...but I'm sure others will disagree.

 

[wilkeliza]

I did not find it offensive but I won't negate someone who may have. Disney went above and beyond trying to do this right including forming a group of scholars, historains, and elders from the different Oceania communities to oversea every decision. Unfortunately you cant please everyone but the fact the leads are from Hawaii and Soman speaks volumes to their want to do this right. I don't mind Maui being big and muscular because look at Dwayne Johnson who voices him. Dude is massive.

 

[Diznygrl]

The people who are offended by Maui are offended because they see him as fat, which supposedly is an insult to the Hawaiian/Samoan culture because there is already a stigma surrounding them about obesity. However, I don't see Maui as fat at all, he's just BIG because he's strong. I mean it's not like he has a flabby beer gut or anything.

As for the Halloween costume, I personally thought it was awesome because it was one of the rare Disney costumes that was actually an accurate portrayal of the character. But I guess some people took issue with Disney's 'audacity' to use Maui's skin tone, comparing it to blackface. But I don't see a rational way around that unless you released a costume for each skin tone. You could just use a clear mesh fabric to get the tattoos I suppose but then you wouldn't get the muscles.

Also, I remember THIS back when Hercules came out and nobody raised a stink about it:

 

[ford family]

The people who are offended by Maui are offended because they see him as fat, which supposedly is an insult to the Hawaiian/Samoan culture because there is already a stigma surrounding them about obesity. However, I don't see Maui as fat at all, he's just BIG because he's strong. I mean it's not like he has a flabby beer gut or anything.

I fully agree.
As we were watching the film, which we thoroughly enjoyed, I was thinking how much better Maui looked compared to Kamecona and his cousins in Hawaii 5 0.

ford family

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Took my 4 year old to see her very first movie today-Moana! She loved it! I had been dying to see it & I loved it as well-the story, the visual artwork, the characters, etc...

I remember back in the fall when Disney was getting alot of flack for the Maui Halloween costumes & pajamas they were selling, saying they were offensive to Samoan & other Polynesian culture. I remember certain people on my Facebook blowing up about this as well.

When I got home from the movie, I was reading up on the movie & saw that the movie received mixed reviews from the Polynesian population, with many people offended that Maui was depicted as so large.

I just don't understand all of the criticism. I was actually so impressed to finally see a Disney princess with some meat on her bones! & I thought it was fitting that Maui was so big because he had such a big personality. I couldn't understand the anger over the Halloween costumes.....they just depicted him the way he looked....& he was a pretty cool character, so I could understand why some boys might have wanted to be him for Halloween.

I hope I'm not offending anyone-I mean no disrespect. & maybe I'm naive, but I thought that movie was something to make the culture proud.

Isn't someone always offended by something in today's world? You could step outside your house, eating an apple while walking to get your newspaper in the morning, and someone would be offended by it.

 

[anniemae]

I was not offended at all. I thought they did a great job. I also liked that there was no love story. Just a story about a very strong girl coming into her own. Did not think of Maui as "fat" just big with a big personality. Just like someone said, kind of like the Rock.

 

[ronandannette]

The people who are offended by Maui are offended because they see him as fat, which supposedly is an insult to the Hawaiian/Samoan culture because there is already a stigma surrounding them about obesity. However, I don't see Maui as fat at all, he's just BIG because he's strong. I mean it's not like he has a flabby beer gut or anything.

As for the Halloween costume, I personally thought it was awesome because it was one of the rare Disney costumes that was actually an accurate portrayal of the character. But I guess some people took issue with Disney's 'audacity' to use Maui's skin tone, comparing it to blackface. But I don't see a rational way around that unless you released a costume for each skin tone. You could just use a clear mesh fabric to get the tattoos I suppose but then you wouldn't get the muscles.

Also, I remember THIS back when Hercules came out and nobody raised a stink about it:

And (just like in many African cultures) wasn't being "fat" - for lack of a better word - admired as a symbol of health and prosperity? FWIW, I haven't seen Moana yet but when visiting Hawaii, we attended a couple of luaus. All (and I do mean all) the male performers were big, heavy and sleek - they must have been specifically cast that way to portray a positive element of the culture. Oh, and they were all hot, too!

 

[Lizziotti]

Isn't someone always offended by something in today's world? You could step outside your house, eating an apple while walking to get your newspaper in the morning, and someone would be offended by it.

I couldn't agree more. I for one am getting so tired of this. Why is everyone so sensitive? I loved Moana and didn't see a problem with it. I've been to Hawaii to be honest most of the natives were large and not in a muscular way. Sorry but it's true. As already stated the characters in this movie were fit not fat. I live in the suburbs was I offended by the sitcom suburbia? No I found it funny! Geez People need to laugh more and argue less!

 

[Wishing on a star]

No, I did not find the movie to be offensive, at all.

I really got into Hawaii, including some of their music and culture, etc... when planning our trip to Kauai.
It is common for people and figures to be 'large'.
One of the most beloved true Hawaiian singing artists, who happened to have medical issues, was VERY large and morbidly obese.
Nobody ever seemed to have any issue with that.
We visited the bar that has been on Kauai for decades, that was featured in 'The Descendants' with George Clooney.
There is a huge fancy portrait of the Hawaiian woman who founded this bar. Displayed very proudly.
She was definitely very large.

While we have the image of young thin hula dancers in our mind, in truth, I do not believe that this is indicative of the Hawaiian culture. And, should probably be the thing that any native peoples should be offended by.

IMHO, seems that in todays times and culture, there will ALWAYS be people that will choose to offended.

To me, since I am familiar with some very wonderful Hawaiian music, and especially if I were a native Hawaiian, I would be much more offended by the hiring of Lin Manuel Miranda to do the music for this movie. Something that the producers of movies like The Descendants would absolutely NEVER do.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

The Simpsons depicted the English as pale with bad teeth. Being Engkish I thought it very funny. We have got bad teeth compared to Americans. We have a cooler climate we are paie!

 

[wilkeliza]

The people who are offended by Maui are offended because they see him as fat, which supposedly is an insult to the Hawaiian/Samoan culture because there is already a stigma surrounding them about obesity. However, I don't see Maui as fat at all, he's just BIG because he's strong. I mean it's not like he has a flabby beer gut or anything.

As for the Halloween costume, I personally thought it was awesome because it was one of the rare Disney costumes that was actually an accurate portrayal of the character. But I guess some people took issue with Disney's 'audacity' to use Maui's skin tone, comparing it to blackface. But I don't see a rational way around that unless you released a costume for each skin tone. You could just use a clear mesh fabric to get the tattoos I suppose but then you wouldn't get the muscles.

Also, I remember THIS back when Hercules came out and nobody raised a stink about it:

Just to clarify it wasn't the skin tone but rather the tattoos. Those tattoos are earned in the Ocieana/Polynesian/Hawaiian cultures and to just make a costume with them was an insult to that. It would be akin to making a costume medal of honor or wounded warrior for kids to wear around on halloween. If you look closely at many military costumes for kids they actively chose fake medals and ribbons for that very reason.

One thing I have found interesting is that many go straight to Hawaii when actually Moana is a blend of several different cultures and communities. That is one thing that lead to some issues is because it isn't any one specific one.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Not in the slightest. It was a cute kids movie. People need to chill.

IMHO, seems that in todays times and culture, there will ALWAYS be people that will choose to offended.

+1

 

[Wishing on a star]

About the tattoos...
Still don't see any reason for offense.
Some would be offended that this character were depicted in a way other than the tatoos.

So, is a kid supposed to dress up as a knight in shining armor, with no armor?

And, guess what... Americans, and even Native Americans are all from a myriad of different communities/cultures/etc.

Again... I see no valid justification or explanation for any offense.

Some people will simply choose to ALWAYS be offended.

Why does everybody applaud and celebrate when, in 'Hamilton', an actual human individual hero is portrayed as a very very different race. But, yet, these are some of the very very same people who are all offended and calling 'racism' over a particular skin tone, or tattoo, in a kids cartoon halloween costume.... Really.... Really!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks iceskatingprince!!!!

 

[mummabear]

[/URL]

I was not personally offended but this is the issue with the size they drew Maui, Maui was not a huge guy, and they took creative license with him. He is Tapu (sacred) so many felt offended at the portrail, ask yourself if Disney was depicting something sacred in our culture or religion would you still be saying god people are offended by everything these days? If it was Jesus or Allah tap dancing would you still be A ok?

 

[bcla]

I was not personally offended but this is the issue with the size they drew Maui, Maui was not a huge guy, and they took creative license with him. He is Tapu (sacred) so many felt offended at the portrail, ask yourself if Disney was depicting something sacred in our culture or religion would you still be saying god people are offended by everything these days? If it was Jesus or Allah tap dancing would you still be A ok?

There have been various controversies over the representation of Jesus. Mostly it's been someone who appears European, but that wouldn't be accurate for someone living in the area. There are traditional depictions of Jesus as appearing African, East Asian, European, etc. I've seen satire with a representation of Jesus.

As for Maui, I don't think there's any single depictions. The Disney movie depicted him as a large, athletic guy who was rather nimble. He certainly wasn't an oaf who could barely get out of bed.

 

[DisneyOma]

Why does everybody applaud and celebrate when, in 'Hamilton', an actual human individual hero is portrayed as a very very different race. But, yet, these are some of the very very same people who are all offended and calling 'racism' over a particular skin tone, or tattoo, in a kids cartoon halloween costume.... Really.... Really!!!

When you post "These are some of the very same people" who exactly are you talking about?

[/URL]

I was not personally offended but this is the issue with the size they drew Maui, Maui was not a huge guy, and they took creative license with him. He is Tapu (sacred) so many felt offended at the portrail, ask yourself if Disney was depicting something sacred in our culture or religion would you still be saying god people are offended by everything these days? If it was Jesus or Allah tap dancing would you still be A ok?

Where did you get that image? I'm pretty positive that it is a modern portrayal - from the font

Having lived in Hawai'i, I've got to say that I saw a variety of sizes of people claiming to be native to the islands. Just like people everywhere come in a variety of sizes. I went to a lot of tourist shows, and the performers were of all sizes as well. I actually liked that they seemed to accept people of all sizes, no need to be a skinny stick!

 

[Pacolovestacos]

[/URL]

I was not personally offended but this is the issue with the size they drew Maui, Maui was not a huge guy, and they took creative license with him. He is Tapu (sacred) so many felt offended at the portrail, ask yourself if Disney was depicting something sacred in our culture or religion would you still be saying god people are offended by everything these days? If it was Jesus or Allah tap dancing would you still be A ok?

Well, people mock Jesus all the time and I'm not out on the streets marching. I'm confident enough in my beliefs not to have to pout everytime someone doesn't agree with me.

 

[superme80]

I'm not offended. When it comes out on dvd, I will happily let my kids watch it. I love learning about other cultures. This is one movie that will get kids and adults interested in learning about the true history.