The live-action “Moana” arrived in theaters to a critical reception that was far from the warm embrace that the original animated film received. With a worrying 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42% on Metacritic, the film starring Dwayne Johnson failed to convince the specialized press, although its main star affirms that the most important thing is the public's opinion.
In a recent interview with People, Johnson spoke about the lukewarm reception the film has received and how he has handled the wave of negative reviews. The actor, known for his usual optimism, confessed that the process has not been easy, but that he has learned to navigate the turbulent waters of the industry.
What did Johnson say?
The actor stated that the first reviews were “incredible,” but that later the critical perception changed. He said: “I thought ‘he went another way, like sometimes happens.’ That's how it works because we're in this business.”
The performer revealed that he has had long conversations with his partner, Lauren Hashian, in the privacy of their home, reflecting on how to fit the media noise into the broader context of his career and family life.
"My wife and I would have a lot of these conversations at home, at the kitchen island late at night when the babies are sleeping. The challenge was, 'Okay, let's remember what's beyond this opening weekend.' Let's remember what's happening now and the noise that's happening right now.'”
Despite the criticism, Johnson is firm in his pride in the project and defends the spirit of the film. "If you love it, great. If you don't, no problem," said the actor.
For him, the fundamental thing has been the positive impact that the film has had on the public, a thermometer that he considers much more valuable than the scores of the review aggregators.
However, the figures don't lie, and the economic failure of “Moana” seems to be just as forceful as the critic. According to reports from Variety, the production could lose at least $100 million during its theatrical run, a figure that has put Disney studios on alert.
During the company's earnings conference on August 5, new CEO Josh D'Amaro acknowledged that the box office for "Moana" had been weak, although he preferred to see the glass half full and highlighted the strategic value of these franchises beyond ticket sales.
“Even when our franchises fail to meet our box office expectations, such as with “Mandalorian and Grogu” and the live-action “Moana,” our investments in these core properties drive other parts of our company,” D’Amaro said.
