Claire Thompson
In the Disney film Moana, the protagonist has two animal sidekicks—a pig named Pua and a rooster named Heihei. Moana's best friend and source of comfort is Pua, who stays behind on the island due to trauma from almost drowning. Moana also has Heihei for company on her journey, who serves as a source of comedy in the movie.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the pig in Moana | Pua |
| Name of the chicken in Moana | Heihei |
| Pua's role in the movie | Moana's best friend and source of comfort, her pet |
| Heihei's role in the movie | Moana's sidekick, a stowaway on Moana's journey |
| Reason for Pua staying behind on the island | Traumatized by almost drowning |
| Reason for including a pig and a chicken in the movie | Polynesians typically brought pigs and chickens with them on voyages |
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What You'll Learn
Moana's pig, Pua, is her best friend and stays behind on the island
Moana, the 2016 Disney film, features a Polynesian teenager who sets out on a quest to find the demigod Maui and return an ancient relic. She has two animal sidekicks, Pua, a pig, and Heihei, a rooster, who are also her best friends.
Pua is Moana's best friend and a source of comfort for her as she grows up. However, when Moana sets out on her adventure, Pua does not join her. The pig is traumatized by his near-drowning experience and runs back to the village at the thought of returning to the water. Moana leaves him behind for his safety and to make her journey more challenging. Pua is absent for most of the movie, only returning at the end to run to Moana.
Pua's absence from the main quest is due to a combination of practical and storytelling purposes. Screenwriters felt that it would be more stressful and powerful for Moana to succeed without her best friend by her side. Additionally, animating Pua throughout the entire film may have been costly, and his role was reduced to save money.
Pua's inclusion in the film is based on Polynesian history, where pigs and chickens were staples and often brought on voyages. The animals also have cultural significance, as it is a sailor tradition to get tattoos of a pig and a chicken on each foot to survive a shipwreck. This is because chickens and pigs often survived due to their buoyant containers.
While Pua stays behind on the island, Heihei, Moana's other sidekick, accompanies her on her journey. Heihei is a dimwitted rooster who frequently gets underfoot and complicates Moana's mission, serving as a source of comedy in the film.
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Heihei the chicken is a stowaway on Moana's boat
In the movie Moana, the protagonist Moana is accompanied by two animal sidekicks, Heihei the rooster and Pua the pig. While Pua stays behind on the island, Heihei is a stowaway on Moana's boat.
Heihei is a dimwitted rooster, who was initially conceived as a highly intelligent bird with a sly, crafty grin. However, the creators found it challenging to justify his presence in the movie as he was not as funny as they had hoped. The story artists then pitched the idea of Heihei being "the stupidest character in Disney history", which gave the character a comfortable place in the comedy of the movie. Alan Tudyk lent his voice talents to articulate the character's random sounds.
Heihei is lucky to go on an adventure across an ocean. Moana's kindness to animals is reflected in how she ensures Heihei's safety on their trip. She has to keep a close eye on him as he frequently tries to jump overboard.
The choice of a pig and a chicken as sidekicks in the movie is a reference to Polynesian history, where pigs and chickens were staples and travelled with them across the Pacific. It is also said that it is a sailor tradition to get a tattoo of a pig and a chicken on each foot to survive a shipwreck as these animals often survived due to their buoyant containers.
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Moana almost eats pork, upsetting Pua
Moana, the Polynesian teenager, has two animal sidekicks in the film: Pua, a cute little pot-belly pig, and Heihei, a dimwitted rooster. Pua acts as Moana's best friend and the two are inseparable as she grows up. However, when Moana sets out on her adventure, Pua is left behind on the island. This is because Pua is traumatized by almost drowning and runs back to the village at the thought of going back into the water. Moana's near-consumption of pork occurs during her journey, when Pua is not present.
In one scene, Moana is eating and says, "That is some good pork." Pua does not witness this, as he is not with Moana at the time. However, he overhears her comment and becomes very sad when he realizes that she is eating a pig, just like him. Moana also feels sad as she understands Pua's distress. This scene highlights the animal-friendly messages in the movie and encourages viewers to reflect on the treatment of pigs used for food, who often suffer abuse and are forced to live in cruel conditions.
Pua's absence from Moana's journey is a source of annoyance for fans, as the pig was prominently featured in the film's advertising. Some theories suggest that Pua's role was reduced to save costs, while others speculate that he may be a figment of Moana's imagination. Initially, Pua was intended to accompany Moana on her adventure, but the filmmakers decided it would create more tension if Moana's source of comfort was left behind. This decision also aligns with the traditional hero's journey narrative, where the hero leaves all comforts behind.
Despite Pua's limited role in the main quest, he remains a beloved character, capturing the hearts of viewers with his adorable appearance and expressive emotions. His relationship with Moana showcases the value of friendship and the impact of their bond even when they are apart. Pua's presence in the film, although brief, contributes to the overall charm and appeal of Moana's story.
In conclusion, Moana's near-consumption of pork and Pua's absence during her journey create a poignant moment that underscores the film's animal-friendly themes. Pua's role as Moana's best friend and the impact of their separation highlight the importance of their bond. While fans may have wished for more screen time for Pua, his inclusion in the film, even in a reduced capacity, adds to the richness of Moana's world and the depth of her character.
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Pua is a source of comfort for Moana
In the movie Moana, Pua the pig is Moana's best friend and source of comfort. Pua is a cute little pot-belly pig with a tiny body, an oversized head, floppy ears, and puppy dog-like movements, making him immensely adorable. Pua and Moana are inseparable while she is growing up. However, when Moana sets out on her journey, Pua is left behind on the island. This is because Pua is traumatized by almost drowning and runs back to the village at the thought of returning to the water. Moana's co-director, John Musker, admitted that leaving Pua behind was a storytelling choice, making Moana's journey more powerful as she leaves her comforts behind.
Pua's role as Moana's best friend and source of comfort is evident in several scenes. In one scene, Moana is eating pork and Pua hears her, realizing that she is eating a pig like him. Moana also saves Pua from drowning, demonstrating her care for him. Pua's loyalty and companionship provide Moana with comfort and support as she faces the challenges of her island life and her eventual quest.
The decision to leave Pua behind on the island while Moana embarks on her adventure is a significant one. It is revealed that Pua was originally intended to accompany Moana on her journey in earlier drafts of the movie. However, screenwriter Jared Bush felt that it would create more tension and make Moana's journey more impactful if her best friend and source of comfort did not come along. This decision aligns with the traditional hero's journey narrative, where the hero leaves their comforts behind.
Pua's absence from the majority of the movie disappointed some fans, especially since he was featured heavily in the film's advertising. Despite this, Pua's role as Moana's best friend and source of comfort in the early parts of the movie is important. He provides Moana with the emotional support she needs to face the challenges ahead. Pua's presence in the movie, although brief, adds depth to Moana's character and showcases the importance of friendship and the comfort it can bring.
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Moana saves Pua from drowning
Moana, the brave and compassionate protagonist of the self-titled Disney film, shares a deep bond with her pet pig, Pua. This adorable piglet is not just a sidekick but Moana's best friend and a source of comfort as she embarks on her epic quest. Their friendship is tested when Pua almost drowns, but Moana's quick actions save Pua's life, showcasing her unwavering loyalty to her four-legged companion.
In the movie, Moana sets sail on a daring journey to find the demigod Maui and return an ancient relic. Accompanied by her animal friends, Moana faces challenges and adventures on her voyage. Among her companions is Pua, a pot-bellied pig with a tiny body, an oversized head, and floppy ears, exuding immense cuteness and charm.
During their initial attempt to set sail, Moana and Pua encounter a shipwreck, which leaves Pua traumatized and fearful of the water. When Moana persists in her quest, Pua's reluctance to return to the sea leads him to run back to their village. This decision to leave Pua behind is a difficult one for Moana, as she must grapple with the absence of her closest friend.
However, fate brings Moana and Pua back together in a heart-pounding moment. In one of the film's pivotal scenes, Moana finds herself in a dire situation as she watches her beloved Pua struggling to stay afloat in the water. Without a moment's hesitation, Moana springs into action, demonstrating her bravery and quick thinking. She dives into the water, fighting against the currents to reach her furry friend.
The details of the rescue are not explicitly described, but the outcome is clear: Moana successfully saves Pua from drowning. Her kindness and devotion to animals shine through once more, reinforcing the animal-friendly messages woven throughout the movie. This incident further strengthens the bond between Moana and Pua, highlighting the depth of their friendship and the lengths to which Moana will go to protect those she loves.
Moana's rescue of Pua serves as a pivotal moment in the film, showcasing her courage, quick thinking, and unwavering love for her four-legged companion. This act of heroism not only saves Pua's life but also reinforces the special connection between the two friends, reminding us that true friendship knows no bounds, even in the face of danger and adversity.
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Frequently asked questions
The pig in Moana is called Pua.
The chicken in Moana is called Heihei.
Moana has a pig as a pet because Polynesians typically brought pigs with them on voyages.
No, Pua stays behind on the island. He is traumatised by almost drowning and runs back to the village at the thought of going back on the water.
