REVIEW: 'Moana Live-to-Film Concert' is a treat for kids and the young at heart
The music of Moana is undeniably iconic.
The original songs, written by Tony Award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa'i, not only made the Billboard charts but also earned a Grammy Award and nominations at the Golden Globes and the Oscars.
Apart from earworm-inducing hits like How Far I'll Go and You're Welcome, the soundtrack features music that tells the story of Moana and Polynesian culture, like We Know the Way.
With Moana's rich tale and music, it's no surprise it got the film concert treatment.
The Moana Live-to-Film Concert was held on Oct. 3 and 4 at the Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City. Kids dressed in outfits like the Disney princess filled the theater lobby alongside a sea of adult fans who probably grew up with the film in 2016.
Typical of any Film Concerts PH event, the experience starts in the lobby, where you can snap photos to memorialize the day. The space looked simpler this time around, with a few posters and standees of Moana and Maui for photo opportunities.
As the show began, conductor Gerard Salonga gave his usual welcoming speech and noted how Manila is among the first audiences to see Moana in a live concert setting. To the uninitiated, the format involves the film being played on the big screen with an orchestra, in this case the Filharmonika Orchestra, playing the soundtrack live. For the Moana film concert, however, another twist was added: Janella Salvador and Gian Magdangal sang songs for Moana and Maui, respectively.
This writer has watched Moana more times than they can count and knows the music by heart—but the live-to-film concert experience made it feel like seeing the movie for the first time again. The live music by the Filharmonika Orchestra makes scenes more emotional and high-stakes as you watch every draw of the bow of the violin and cello.
Salvador embodied Moana as soon as she stepped out on stage in two ensembles inspired by the character. She performed How Far I'll Go flawlessly, which is no surprise, as she recorded the song for local promotion of the film in 2016. The actress fumbled a couple of lyrics in the other songs, but she still hit all the right notes and captured the ambitious energy of the heroine.
Magdangal also stepped into Maui's trickster shoes seamlessly. While he was dressed in an all-white suit, the actor wasn't afraid to get silly, mimicking some of Maui's dance moves.
Overall, the Moana Live-to-Film Concert was a delightful experience. Film Concerts PH's last movie musical was Frozen in 2024, and for that, they also invited singers on stage, and it was also memorable and fun. Hopefully, they have another one in the works soon—maybe for another Disney film featuring Miranda's music, like Encanto?
Disclaimer: PhilSTAR L!fe is a media partner of 'Moana Live-to-Film Concert.'
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