Ok...let's get this out of the way first. It's pronounced 'Mow-ana' and the heroine is not some whinging teenager.

This 56th animated Disney feature film opens with a wise old Polynesian woman, Gramma Tala (Rachel House from ‘Search for the Wilder People’) telling a tale to a group of wide-eyed youngsters, of how the God Te Fiti created the paradise island where they live.

Te Fiti’s heart held the greatest power ever known and could create life itself but the legend has a more sinister tale to tell culminating with details of Maui (Dwayne Johnson) the demigod of the wind and sea who steals Te Fiti’s heart which unleashed a terrible darkness that threatened Oceania and all its inhabitants.

Gramma Tala’s story also tells of great scary monsters that sought the heart for their own purpose and greed, which frightened the children. All except Moana (Auli’I Cravalho).

Moana soon grew up to be a beautiful young woman who dreams of venturing out across the ocean in her sail boat. Unfortunately her Father, King Tui (Temuera Morrison) will not allow his people to stray beyond the reef as it is said to be a dangerous place.

But it’s the ocean itself that has a connection with Moana and it is not long until bad things start to happen to the island. The fish are disappearing and the trees are dying.

Gramma Tala encourages her granddaughter to seek out the demigod Maui to help restore the heart and save their world.

This is a stunningly beautiful film boasting some of the most fantastic visual effects and this is possibly some of the best CGI animation I have ever seen on the screen.

The film was five years in the making and Disney handed the directing talents over to Ron Clements and John Musker who both worked on The Little Mermaid (1989), Aladdin (1992) and The Princess and the Frog (2009).

Once again Disney have chosen a strong female character to latch onto, who is a determined and strong teenager, not unlike Merida in Brave (2012).

It’s probably not until twenty-five minutes in that Moana teams up with demigod Maui who turns not to be quite the monster portrayed in the legend. However, he is quite arrogant, self-obsessed, big headed but very charismatic and funny. He does have a conscience though in the form of his many body tattoos who shift and move across his torso but also map out Maui’s history in these ancient illustrations.

As ever, our heroine has the obligatory animal sidekicks, which as Maui points out is how you can tell she is a princess!

Newcomer Auli’i Cravalho superbly voices Moana and brings her alive. It’s just as much a life changing adventure for Moana as well as a voyage of self-discovery for Maui.

Also, heading up the cast list is singing Nicole Scherzinger who plays Moana’s Mother Sina who fights for her daughter’s corner and every opportunity.

New Zealander Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords and What we do in the Shadows) lends some more light relief as a fifty-foot monster crab who covers himself in shiny things.

It’s also nice to see another old fashioned animated feature with some toe tapping songs. A few of the stand out numbers are Moana’s songs “How far I’ll go” (a wannabe “Let it Go”?), “I am Moana” and Maui’s “You’re Welcome” sung by The Rock himself.

There is something here for everyone, old and young. Although the setting is from an ancient time with stereotypical villagers. There is also a contemporary feel to it with its witty dialogue, quips and facial expressions.

Surrey Comet:

Trailer