Dwayne Johnson on the disappointing reception of Disney's Moana remake
Intelligence Summary
- Dwayne Johnson shares his thoughts on the negative reviews for the live-action Moana remake, which has a low critic score but strong audience support.
In brief
- Dwayne Johnson, who reprised his role as Maui, has responded to the negative criticism of the live-action remake of Moana.
- The film currently holds a 31% critic rating and an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
- IGN gave the film a 6/10, reflecting the mixed response from critics.
GAME-scanner analysis
The live-action remake of Moana, released in July 2026, has seen a notable split between critical and audience reception. While critics have given the film a low score of 31%, viewers have awarded it an impressive 88%. This gap may point to a disconnect between critic expectations and audience experience. Dwayne Johnson, who reprised his role as Maui, emphasized the importance of representing Polynesian culture in the film. That may help explain the strong audience score, as many fans appreciate the cultural elements despite criticism of the execution.
What does this mean for players?
For gamers and fans of Dwayne Johnson, this situation reflects broader trends in entertainment, where opinions on adaptations of popular franchises can vary widely. The strong audience score could also influence Disney's future live-action decisions, potentially leaving more room for creative interpretations that resonate with fans.
Timeline
2016: The original animated film Moana is released.
July 2026: The live-action remake of Moana is released.
August 2026: Dwayne Johnson responds to the film's negative reviews.