Dwayne Johnson Shares Thoughts on Moana’s Mixed Reviews Following Live-Action Flop

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently opened up about the less-than-stellar reviews for Disney’s live-action version of Moana, which struggled at the box office. After reprising his role as Maui in this new take on the beloved animated film, Johnson addressed the critical feedback it received shortly after its launch.

The actor, known for his extensive career in both wrestling and Hollywood, shared his initial reaction to the first reviews, saying, “I’ll never forget it… They were amazing. I was like, wow.” However, it wasn’t long before the tide turned, and reviews began to reflect a more negative sentiment. Currently, the film holds a mere 31% approval rating from critics, while audiences seem to be more forgiving with an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Even IGN rated it a 6/10, highlighting some of the movie’s flaws.

Johnson acknowledged the ups and downs that come with the entertainment industry, remarking, “That’s just the way it goes because we’re in this business.” He stressed the importance of looking beyond the immediate reactions, saying, “Let’s remember what’s happening right now and the noise that’s happening right now.” For him, whether people love the film or not is secondary to the cultural significance of the project.

He emphasized, “What meant the most to me was that the culture really stood up.” Johnson highlighted that bringing Polynesian culture to the forefront was a driving force behind the film’s creation. He expressed pride in being part of a project that allows children from that culture to see themselves represented on the big screen, saying, “That’s us up there. How cool is that?”

His wife, Lauren Hashian, echoed his sentiments, stating, “The whole community, the whole culture really showed up and they understood.” She added that themes of family, love, and perseverance resonate universally, making the experience magical, especially when viewed through the eyes of their children.

Despite the heartfelt responses from some fans, the movie’s box office performance was disappointing, raking in only $95 (approx. Rs 26,410) million during its opening weekend against a hefty budget of $250 (approx. Rs 69,500) million. As of last weekend, it had managed to gross around $261 (approx. Rs 72,560) million globally, which falls short of expectations.

While the live-action Moana may not have found the commercial success that Disney hoped for, the studio isn’t slowing down its plans for remakes. A new version of Tangled is already in the works, with fans eagerly awaiting more updates from the production.

Overall, while the reception for Moana may not be what Johnson and Disney envisioned, the importance of representation and cultural storytelling remains a significant takeaway.

Note: PKR figures are approximate, based on a rate of Rs 278.00 per USD. Exchange rates fluctuate — please check the latest dollar rate for exact pricing.

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