Sandy: I think you would love Moana. A girl seeking to save her community by leaving it? C'mon.
pix: Maui leaving her in the middle of the ocean fits his character to a T. Just because he's a narcissistic cad doesn't mean he isn't also likable and watchable and hilarious. Since she has the entire ocean as her friend, it wasn't like she was in any danger.
1SO: Dory is also pretty similar to Nemo. But the formula isn't a classic one, just similar enough for us to recognize the beats. Moana's story is ancient, in our bones. It resonates in my core. (Like Kubo, which is also based on ancient tales)