Why Disneys Focus on Moana Over Zootopia Despite Greater Success

Disneyrsquo;s recent emphasis on Moana while relatively neglecting Zootopia, despite the latterrsquo;s superior box office performance and critical acclaim in 2016, continues to spark debates. This article explores the reasons behind this discrepancy and examines why Zootopia seems to have been overshadowed by Moanarsquo;s popularity.

The Controversy Surrounding Moana

There are several factors contributing to the controversy surrounding the portrayal of Moana. A significant amount of Polynesian people expressed concerns over the representation of character Maui. According to Manju Reijmer, the portrayal of Maui varies greatly among different Polynesian groups, and Disneyrsquo;s depiction may not align with the culturally acceptable portrayals.

Moana also failed to deliver the message of environmental responsibility, which many Polynesians feel was an essential element. Some viewed this as a missed opportunity to emphasize that humans are responsible for their own troubles and that they can be the ones to fix them. This resonated strongly with a significant number of Polynesians, who were disappointed by the filmrsquo;s narrative choices. Additionally, the filmrsquo;s adherence to historical inaccuracies regarding womenrsquo;s roles, such as women not being allowed to be chiefs, was pointed out as a further issue by many.

While these issues have sparked extensive discussions, it is worth noting that the author of this article is not Polynesian and does not speak for the community. The authorrsquo;s perspective is based on publicly available information and opinions shared by other sources.

The Question of Time and Memory

Disney certainly hasnrsquo;t forgotten the success of Zootopia. Despite having a larger opening weekend, higher domestic gross, and overall gross exceeding a billion dollars, Zootopia remains a significant milestone in Disneyrsquo;s history. The argument that Disney focuses on Moana due to its more recent popularity lacks substantial evidence.

While Moana is a more recent hit and falls into the Disney Princess canon, the conversation around Zootopia has not been entirely forgotten. It is plausible that the renewed focus on Moana and its association with the Princess line could elevate its success and detract from Zootopiarsquo;s recognition. However, it is inaccurate to claim that Disney has forgotten Zootopiarsquo;s achievements.

The Broader Conversation

When analyzing the broader conversation around both films, it is clear that Zootopia received a more favorable reception. While Moana was generally acknowledged as a good film, it was often compared to another Princess success, Frozen, which set a high bar. This comparison overshadowed Moanarsquo;s achievements and contributed to the perception that Moana was not as successful as its predecessor.

Zootopiarsquo;s critical acclaim and financial success helped it secure a prominent place in Disneyrsquo;s history. Critics and the general public recognized the filmrsquo;s significance, and its impact on the animation industry continues to be discussed. In contrast, Moana, while well-received, did not achieve the same level of success in terms of both critical acclaim and financial performance.

Ultimately, the success of a film is a multifaceted metric that includes box office performance, critical reviews, and cultural impact. While Zootopia excelled in all these areas, Moana brought a unique cultural narrative that resonated with some but was subject to significant scrutiny and controversy. This article aims to provide a balanced perspective on the reasons behind Disneyrsquo;s focus on these two films and the broader context in which these decisions are made.