REVIEW: Raya and the Last Dragon is a Animation Masterpiece & Great Time for All
500 years ago, dragons and humans lived in harmony in the world of Kumandra. However, when an evil plague known as Druun, a being that turns people and dragons into stones, threatens their land, the dragons sacrifice everything, including their magic, to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, the people of Kumandra must protect the coveted dragon gem, which holds the last of the dragon magic. With distrust growing amongst the people, their once harmonious home of Kumandra has become divided into five different lands, Spine, Fang, Tail, Heart, and Talon. Heart is home to the dragon gem, where few are chosen to become guardians of the magic, including our protagonist, Raya (Kelly Marie Tran). But when trust is placed in the wrong hands, the Druun returns and Raya must set out to find the apparent last living dragon, Sisu (Akwafina) if she hopes to save humanity before it is too late.
Breathtakingly beautiful is the only way to describe Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon. Directors, Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, co-directors, Paul Briggs and John Ripa, and the rest of the animation team brought their A game when they brought this picture to life. From the attention to detail in the costumes worn by the characters to the vibrant animation that depicts the different lands Raya ventures to, viewers are greeted by a visually stunning piece of film.
Screenwriter Adele Lim is not tasked with an easy job when it comes to creating a new original story for a Disney animated flick, but she makes easy work of it. The tale is refreshing, powerful, and anchored by two strong and complex female leads. The idea of trust is the main running theme of the film and Lim does a wonderful job of taking a group of characters, who are quite different, and easily creating a journey that emphasizes the importance of extending an olive branch, especially when the world could be potentially ending.
Tran as Raya and Awkwafina as Sisu lead the star studded voice cast and there is not a weak character in the bunch. Gemma Chan voices the warrior princess Namaari, and is just as badass as Tran’s Raya while Benedict Wong’s Tong, Izaac Wang as Boun, and Thalia Tran as Little Noi are enjoyable additions to Raya’s journey. Sisu and Tuk Tuk (Alan Tudyk) will become immediate fan favorites for kids and adults alike, but all of the characters really are great. My only negative is that, at times, it was hard to forget that it was Awkwafina voicing Sisu because of how noticeable her voice is, but, honestly, it never distracted me from what was going on onscreen.
Raya and the Last Dragon is a captivating story that is great for all ages. If you have a family or if you don’t, you are in for a great ride. The story is intriguing, the characters are extremely likeable, and the animation is out of this world. Whether it be in theaters or on Disney+ Premiere Access, this is a must watch for all.
Grade: A+