Dwayne Johnson Responds to Negative Reviews for Live
WDW News Today • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Dwayne Johnson acknowledged the mixed critical reception of Disney’s live-action Moana, noting its 32% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes contrasted with an 88% audience score, and emphasized the normalcy of divided opinions in the entertainment industry.
- Johnson highlighted the importance of authentic Polynesian representation in the film, expressing pride that children of Polynesian heritage can see themselves reflected on a major theatrical screen for the first time.
- The actor and his wife, Lauren Hashian, focused on the film’s deeper themes of family, love, loss, and perseverance, which they believe resonate universally beyond cultural boundaries.
- Despite earning over $263 million worldwide, the live-action Moana underperformed compared to the animated sequel Moana 2, contributing to Disney’s acknowledgment of weaker box office results for some recent releases.
- Johnson and Hashian also co-executive produced a companion album, Moana: Voices Across the Ocean, featuring original music by Pacific Island artists, released digitally on July 31.
