An authentic blend of mythology, martial arts, imagery, and cultural identities from several Southeast Asian cultures woven into its own vision by three Southeast Asian screenwriters are just part of what makes RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON a visual masterpiece.
With major themes of trust and teamwork threaded throughout the film, RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is a story for all ages and is as inspiring as it is visually stunning. Read on for our RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON Review.
Raya seeks the help of the legendary dragon, Sisu. Seeing what’s become of Kumandra, Sisu commits to helping Raya fulfill her mission in reuniting the lands. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON Review
What Works – RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON Review
One of the things we LOVE about RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is the use of Nāga in the depiction of Sisu. When choosing how to depict the dragon in RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON, the screenwriters chose Nāga versus a Chinese dragon. A Chinese dragon is based on luck and power and has sweeping powers and breathes clouds, whereas the Nāga is a serpent-like creature associated with water representing life and hope. The symbolism surrounding life, hope, and water is more approachable than sweeping power and clouds.
Recovering a piece of her fractured Dragon Gem, Sisu discovers the ability to shape-change into human form. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
If you're all about the visuals, the animation in RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is stunning. It's no secret that with every film Disney's animation gets more detailed and more vibrant but RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is just, wow. The hair is so lifelike. The water looks like you could skip a stone on it.
Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina are LIFE. They are so good in this movie together. I could watch it over and over just for them. The voices, as a whole, are aptly cast, with a lot of fan favorites and big hitters.
Raya and her nemesis, Namaari, face off amid the snowy mountains of Spine. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
The use of four distinct styles of martial arts for representation is a unique incorporation.
- Pencack silat: Indonesia, Malaysia
- Muay Thai: Thailand
- Traditional Wrestling: Indonesia
- Arnis: Philippines
The incorporation of multiple martial arts styles and Southeast Asian food and architecture for representation is also important. It's incredibly challenging to create a film representing a monolithic culture. By incorporating various Southeast Asian cultures and calling out specific ones, RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is at least acknowledging they are not the same. However, there are some Southeast Asian cultures where cultural fusion does exist. Malaysia is a prime example, especially with its food.
In her newfound human form, Sisu learns the ways Kumandra has changed as she and Raya team up to save the world from the destructive Drunn. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
What Doesn't Work – RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON Review
As much as we love a good Disney movie and any family-friendly film with a happy ending, predictability gets old.
I'm not saying we didn't enjoy this film and that it isn't well done. However, even the teensiest bit of plot twist would make it just that much better. My husband jokingly said at the part when they turn to stone, that they should end the movie there because it would have been more interesting. Because the movie is THAT predictable.
About RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON takes us on an exciting, epic journey to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together long ago in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well.
Young Raya looks up to her beloved father Benja, Chief of the Heart Lands. Benja, the legendary Guardian of the Dragon Gem, is an idealistic and bold visionary who seeks to reunite the fractured kingdom of Kumandra and restore harmony. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON features an outstanding voice cast, including Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, Benedict Wong, Izaac Wang, Thalia Tran, Alan Tudyk, Lucille Soong, Patti Harrison, and Ross Butler. Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada are directing, with Paul Briggs and John Ripa co-directing. Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho are the producers, and Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim wrote the screenplay.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON will be available on Disney+ with Premiere Access in most Disney+ markets, at the same time as it is released in select theaters on March 5, 2021.
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