Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures is criticized for remaking its animation feature films into live-action feature movies.

Disney has adapted 26 of its animation feature films into live-action feature movies.

The remakes, or to be charitable, the re-imagining, of Disney animation feature films began with the live-action “The Jungle Book,” 1994 (and again in 2016), based on the animation film of the same title released in 1967.

Among the Disney remakes:

“Beauty and the Beast,” 2017, based on the animation feature of the same title released in 1991.

“Aladdin,” 2019, based on the animation feature of the same title released in 1992.

“Cruella,” 2021, based on the animated feature film, “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” released in 1961.

“The Little Mermaid,” 2023, based on the animation feature of the same title, released in 1989.

Disney has made multiple versions and spin-offs of some of its animation feature films.

For example, “The Lion King,” 2019, and “Mufasa The Lion King,” 2024, are based on the animation feature film of the same title, released in 1994.

The animation to live-action Disney films have received varying degrees of critical and commercial success.

I liked “Dumbo,” 2019, based on the animation feature film of the same title, released in 1941. Most did not like the Tim Burton-directed remake.

Raiding the Disney Intellectual Property animation feature film vault is tempting for screenwriters, directors, producers and Disney studio executives.

The opportunity to, shall we say, “flesh out” the original animation characters is irresistible. The film-makers can put a different spin on the characters, story line and even focus on secondary characters.

Disney is planning more animation feature films to live-action feature film releases, including “Stepsisters,” based on the animation feature film, “Cinderella,” released in 1950.

Which brings us to “Moana,” the latest Disney live-action remake of the animation feature film, released in 2018, with its sequel, “Moana 2,” released in 2024.

The live-action “Moana” has been the target of much criticism and has underperformed at the box office. Its production budget of $250 million is one of the most expensive-ever for a feature movie.

Even though it opened at No. 1 for the July 10-12 weekend, it “only” grossed $43.1 million domestically, and has grossed a total of $102.8 million domestically, as of its third weekend, July 24-26.

“Moana,” the live-action feature film based on an epic South Seas Pacific Island myth, was trounced in its second weekend by a live-action feature film based on an epic Greek poem myth, “The Odyssey,” which opened at No. 1 with $123.5 million domestically July 17-19.

In the live-action “Moana” film, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is back, playing the live-action Maui, the demi-god, shape-shifting prankster who practices wayfinding, that he voiced in the animation film feature.

The film takes place on the Polynesian island of Motunui.

I try to see every feature movie that Dwayne Johnson is in since he is, as they are often cliched to scribe in newspaper sports departments, a “product” of Freedom High School, Class of 1990, where he was on the high school football and track teams.

After becoming a WWE star, Johnson is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, with 125 acting credits on IMDB, from his critically-acclaimed turn as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine,” 2025, to the light comedy of “Jungle Cruise,” 2021, a remake of the Disney theme park ride.

In the live-action “Moana,” Dwayne Johnson is a cheeky charmer whose beatific face is surrounded by long tresses of curls. He’s very animated, down to the tattoos that dance and amplify the scenes.

Dwayne Johnson’s amiable performance in “Moana” isn’t the only reason to see the live-action remake.

The live-action, “Moana,” introduces Catherine Laga’aia in her feature film debut as the title character “Moana.”

Catherine Laga’aia is charming, has a great screen presence and expresses a range of emotions. She has a beautiful singing voice in “How Far I’ll Go” “Know Who You Are” and “Along the Way,” with Lin-Manuel Miranda back to write this new song that Auli’i Cravalho, Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson also sing together during the end credits.

Dwayne Johnson gets to rap on that song and on “You’re Welcome,” which is a lot of fun.

Notable in supporting roles are Rena Owen (Gramma Tala, Moana’s grandmother and Tui’s mother), John Tui (Chief Tui, Moana’s father, Sina’s husband and chief of Motunui Island) and Frankie Adams (Sina, Moana’s mother, Tui’s wife and chieftess of Motunui).

The live-action “Moana” includes Computer Generated Animation for Moana’s pet pig, Pua, and pet rooster, Heihei. These characters are extremely silly.

The CGI sets the scene for thrilling crashing waves that the sea-faring Moana must negotiate at the helm of a camakau, a type of catamaran.

The CGI kicks in for an attack by a boat-load of the Kakamora, coconut pirates, one of the most hilarious and scary creations in cinema. Think Minions in a bad mood.

The film’s settings are sumptuous and enthralling. The dance sequences are lively and impressive.

“Moana” is directed by Thomas Kail (three-time Primetime Emmy Awards winner: Broadway’s “Hamilton,” 2020; “Grease Live!,” 2015), in his narrative feature directorial debut.

The screenplay is by Jared Bush (Oscar, animated feature film, “Encanto,” 2022; screenwriter, “Zootopia,” 2016 and its sequel, 2025), Dana Ledoux Miller (“Moana 2” co-director), Ron Clements (three-time Oscar nominee, including “Moana”) and John Musker (two-time Oscar nominee, including “Moana”).

Cinematographer is Óscar Faura (cinematographer, “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” 2018).

“Moana” should be of chief interest to fans of the “Moana” animated films, songwriter Lin-Manual Miranda and Dwayne Johnson.

Give the live-action “Moana” a chance, especially if you have children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

It’s one of the few PG-rated movies in release this summer. It’s a film about family for the family.

“Moana,” MPA rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested: Some material may not be suitable for children) for action-peril, some scary images, rude humor and brief thematic elements; Genre: Action, Adventure, Musical, Comedy; Run time: 1 hour, 55 minutes. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “Moana” was filmed July through November 2024 in Atlanta, Ga.; Polynesia, and Oahu, Hawaii.

At The Movies: “Moana” was seen in the standard format at AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movies Domestic Weekend Box Office, July 31-Aug. 2: “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” nearly broke an all-time domestic box office opening record with $355 million in 4,487 theaters.

The domestic box office opening record is “Avengers: Endgame” (2019) with $357 million, according to Variety, the entertainment trade publication.

2. “The Odyssey” dropped one place from its two weeks at No. 1, with a still-strong $51 million in 3,861 theaters, $395.5 million, three weeks. 3 “Toy Story 5” moved up one place, $6.3 million in 3,035 theaters, $461.6 million, seven weeks. 4.“Minions & Monsters” moved up one place, with $5.8 million in 3,023 theaters, $168.3 million, five weeks. 5. “Moana” dropped three places, with $5.3 million in 3,010 theaters, $114.7 million, four weeks. 6. “Hadestown: The Musical” dropped three places, $2 million in 1,567 theaters, $18.2 million, two weeks. 7. “The Invite” stayed in place, $1.2 million in 792 theaters, $22.7 million, six weeks. 8. “I Want Your Sex,” a comedy, $600,000 in 700 theaters, opening. 9. “Evil Dead Burn” dropped three places, $527,000 in 642 theaters, $31.2 million, four weeks. 10. “Young Washington” dropped two places, $477,727 in 623 theaters, $46.4 million, five weeks.

Movie box office information is from Box Office Mojo as of Aug.2.

Theatrical Movies Domestic Weekend Box Office, July 24-26: “The Odyssey” stayed at No. 1 in its second week, with $90 million in 3,942 theaters, $289.3 million, two weeks.

2. “Moana” stayed in place, with $10.6 million in 4,015 theaters, $102.6 million, three weeks. 3. “Hadestown: The Musical,” a live stage show filming, $10.2 million in 1,949 theaters, opening. 4. “Toy Story 5” dropped one place, $10.1 million in 3,375 theaters, $448.7 million, six weeks. 5. “Minions & Monsters” dropped one place, with $9.7 million in 3,386 theaters, $155.5 million, four weeks. 6. “Evil Dead Burn” dropped one place, $2.8 million in 2,385 theaters, $29.3 million, three weeks. 7. “The Invite” stayed in place, $2.6 million in 2,032 theaters, $19.8 million, five weeks. 8. “Young Washington” dropped two places, $1.9 million in 2,275 theaters, $44.8 million, four weeks. 9. “Motor City,” an action thriller, $1.6 million in 1,600 theaters, opening. 10. “Obsession” dropped two places, $1.5 million in 1,203 theaters, $261.4 million, 11 weeks.

Movie box office information is from Box Office Mojo as of July 26.

Unreel, Aug. 7:

“Super Troopers 3,” MPA rated R; Run time: 1 hour, 44 minutes. Jay Chandrasekhar directs Brian Cox, Lia Gilroy, Chace Crawford, Kevin Heffernan and himself in the Comedy Mystery. The synopsis: When Farva’s over-the-top Indian engagement to Thorny’s sister spirals into chaos, the Super Troopers must navigate Thorny’s schemes to break up the relationship, all while trying to bring down a pernicious new drug ring.

“Late Fame,” No MPA rating; Run time: 1 hour, 36 minutes. Kent Jones directs Willem Dafoe, Greta Lee and Jake Lacy in the Comedy Drama. The synopsis: A legendary New York poet Ed Saxberger’s forgotten works captivate an eccentric group of young persons, reigniting his artistic passion. Their intrigue intertwines with the presence of actress Gloria.

Movie opening information is from Internet Movie Database as of Aug. 2.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes