Why 'Moana,' the newest Disney princess film is unlike any other

This image released by Disney shows Moana, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, in a scene from the animated film, "Moana." (Disney via AP)

The newest animated Disney princess movie, Moana, is one so full of adventure and self-realization that it’s easy to miss a familiar plot twist.

Auli’i Cravalho voices the 16-year-old main character Moana, a teenager who sets sail on an adventurous mission to save her island and her people. She’s also without a romantic interest.

“We have a beautiful heroine who is the hero of her own story,” Cravalho told CTV’s Your Morning. “And she doesn’t have a love interest.”

According to Cravalho, the absence of the love interest indicates a changing of the times for Disney princess movies. The princesses are no longer defined by a romantic interest but by their journeys into self-realization.

“I think that’s so important for the young generation to find out who they are,” said Cravalho. “(For them) to solidify themselves in that and to speak their mind and to listen to that voice inside.”

In this movie, there’s no prince that comes to the rescue of Moana – like Prince Philip does for Sleeping Beauty or Prince Charming does for Cinderella. There isn’t even anyone on the island trying to vie for her affection the way Shang does with Mulan. In fact, there’s no mention of romance regarding Moana at all.

Moana’s male sidekick Maui, voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is a demigod who helps guide Moana on her quest to save her people, and nothing more than that.

Cravalho, also 16, was born and raised in Hawaii and sees herself as being fairly connected to the character she voices. According to Cravalho, she went to an all-Hawaiian school and is deeply rooted in her culture. The stories of Maui told in the movie are stories that she heard as bedtime stories.

“Before working on this movie, I was a little wary,” said Cravalho. “I think anyone would be if they heard a film was being inspired by their culture.”

Cravalho did not initially audition for the role but was called in after the casting director saw her singing at a talent showcase.