With a record-breaking $2.6 million in the box office on the Tuesday night preview showings, Disney’s newest fantasy/adventure flick Moana impressively beat out previous successful films, such as Frozen ($1.2 million), Big Hero 6 ($1.4 million), and even Zootopia ($1.7 million). Speculations about whether or not Moana’s gross will surpass those of its competition films have been floating around, and I have hope that it will dominate the box office.

Set around 2,000 years ago, this film follows a Polynesian teenager as she embarks on a dangerous quest to save her people and her island, Motunui, after the vegetation deteriorates and the fish become scarce. Moana Waialiki, our heroine, travels across the intimidating ocean to find the demigod Maui in order to restore the heart of Te Fiti, an island goddess, which is the only way to break the curse of Te Kā, a lava demon, which has been spreading from island to island. On this journey, Moana encounters ocean monsters and other obstacles that test her faith and threaten her relationship with Maui.

The teen’s desire to prove herself to her father, Chief Tui, and discover her true identity while questioning why the ocean chose her for this mission showcases her determination and resilience, and the audience can see how torn she is between wanting to please her parents or taking a risk, putting her interests first for once. She’s drawn to the water and what’s waiting for her beyond the mysterious reef, but none of the islanders are allowed to leave after a terrible accident that happened long ago.

It’s amazing how much work went into making this film, from the intricate animations, like how realistic the hair movements, the water, and Maui’s tattoos were, to the soundtrack. Popular songs include “How Far I’ll Go” and “I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)” sung by Auli’i Cravalho, who voices Moana, “You’re Welcome” sung by Dwayne Johnson, who voices Maui, and numerous pieces composed by Mark Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the genius behind the Broadway musical Hamilton.

I am especially happy that Disney has taken yet another step forward in expanding the diversity and look of their characters. The filmmakers did a phenomenal job at creating an adventurous story while drawing inspiration from the histories of the Pacific Islands region, Oceania, to honor Moana’s heritage; this film reflects the ancient Polynesian ocean-navigating explorers and their way of life. Another important aspect is how Moana appears, because unlike other classics (Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, or Sleeping Beauty, for example), the protagonist is realistically-proportioned and is a person of color, which reminds us all again how crucial representation is in today’s day and age, primarily in mass media that either younger children are more often exposed to. It’s also significant that when Moana was chosen to complete the mission, none of the islanders doubted her or suggested that a guy take her place.

Amy Seed, the head of animation along with her colleague Hyrum Osmond, revealed that this is the first time a woman has held such a title on a Disney animated feature film. It’s inspiring to see that Disney is not only making strides for more inclusion in their films, but it’s also doing the same for the people behind the scenes; there are now three women in its director ranks.

Moana has quickly become one of my favorite films, and Moana herself one of my favorite heroines. I strongly recommend anyone and everyone to watch this insightful film, regardless of their age or gender. Incorporating Polynesian culture, a strong and independent female lead, fantastic music, and a compelling storyline, what’s not to like? Once again, Disney has reminded us why it is the leader in animated films.