Raya and the Last Dragon
Starring: Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Daniel Dae Kim, Izaac Wong
Directed by: Don Hall and Carlos Lopez Estrada
Rated: PG
Even though I’m past the intended target audience for an animated Disney film, I have to admit that I get really excited every time I hear about a new release. It’s probably because I grew up in the “Disney Renaissance” when films like Mulan, Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, and Hercules were released in succession almost every year. We were getting quality films and incredible songs that we could sing at all future karaoke parties. Thank you, Donny Osmond, for “I’ll Make A Man out of You.” Thank you, Phill Collins, for the entirety of the Tarzan soundtrack that I still listen to frequently.
I’m not here to talk about Donny Osmond and Phil Collins’ contributions to my Apple Music playlists. Today’s review is Disney’s latest animated film, Raya and The Last Dragon. It’s a kaleidoscopic animated adventure following warrior princess, Raya. She lives in a dystopian world torn apart by chaos. It was once a paradise called Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived in harmony. That is until a plague called the Druun struck, turning everyone in its path to stone. Even the mighty dragons were turned to stone, only leaving behind a magical gem. It’s up to Raya, and her family protect the gem. When the druun return to wreak havoc (plot twist), Raya must find the last dragon to help stop the druun and unite the divided Kumandra.
Whew, are you still following me? That’s good because that was quite a plot description. I applaud Raya and The Last Dragon's creativity, but my main gripe with the film comes right out of the gate with its initial 15 minutes of storytelling. There’s so much going on, especially for a kid’s movie. Evil plague-ridden clouds. A war-torn country. Stone people. Dragon gems. It’s like you have to write it all down, so you’ll remember everything later. (and that’s exactly what I did in order to write this review.)
Despite its expositionally heavy first act, filmmakers Don Hall and Carlos Lopez Estrada craft a beautifully animated film that is exciting and visually stunning. There are hints of Moana and Mulan (and even a little Mad Max ) in this story but Raya (voiced excellently by Kelly Marie Tran) manages to be her own heroine that kids will look up to.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a Disney movie without some fun. The last dragon, Sisu, is perhaps the most fun part of the movie, thanks to Awkwafina’s voice acting performance and the unique animation of the shape-shifting dragon. Awkwafina has a charm that is lighthearted and wonderfully charismatic. Sisu joins Raya’s quest as the entertaining and magical sidekick who helps guide Raya along the journey. (A plot element we’ve definitely seen from Disney before yet it seems to work every time.) Sisu admits she’s “not the best dragon” but she seems to be doing a pretty good job!
Photo Courtesy of Disney Plus
Tuck Tuck, Raya’s pet armadillo (I think it’s an armadillo), was obviously designed to sell toys but with a creature so adorable how can you not be caught up in his cuteness? LOOK AT HIM!
Look into that armadillo creature’s eyes and tell me it’s not adorable
The film beautifully depicts South Asian culture. Raya travels through the mythical land of Kumandra on her quest, and the animators create so many cinematically gorgeous landscapes. The barren desert wasteland, the bustling streets of Talon, the royal city of Heart are all visual spectacles. Each location offers entirely different scenery filled with intricate detail. (and plenty of characters for Raya to encounter along the way!)
A lot of what we’ve seen in Raya, we’ve seen before in Disney movies. Raya and Sisu set out on a quest to collect all the gem pieces through the land. Obstacles get in their way. Hijinks ensue. Is it new territory? Not exactly. Is it entertaining? Yeah! I think it helps that there’s a theme of unity at the core of the film that is relevant to today’s world and beneficial for all ages to hear. Raya lives in a world torn apart by chaos, war, and misunderstanding. No one listens to each other anymore but there’s still hope to find peace. The film’s overall message feels exceptionally timely to what we’ve all been through in the past year.
Although you’ve seen some of these plot elements before, Raya and the Last Dragon is a timely and exciting animated film with heart.
My Rating: 7/10