Raya and the Last Dragon Movie Review
Nathan Swank
March 28th, 2021
Beautiful imagery, thrilling adventure, and strong, delightful characters, RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is another successful animated Disney film.
A long time ago in the world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force called the Runes (think of a giant scary dust cloud that can grow, spread, or multiply) swept over the land threatening the life of the world, the mystical dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. However, the people were jealous and angry, fracturing into five different tribes (Heart, Fang, Spine, Talon, and Tail). 500 years later, the leader of Heart tries to make peace, but the tribes are resistant and break the last powerful dragon stone left from the dragons, the evil returns to wreak havoc turning anyone it touches to stone. Six years have passed with the evil loose. Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), a young warrior and daughter of the land of Heart, along with her trusty steed, a giant, cutesy armadillo-like creature named Tuk Tuk, are on a mission to awake the last dragon Sisu (Awkwafina) and retrieve the missing pieces of the powerful dragon stone to restore its magic.
Taking a ton from LORD OF THE RINGS (an unlikely fellowship of characters must come together for a world saving mission) and THE NEVERENDING STORY (An evil Nothing that is taking over the fantasy world with a similar looking magical dragon as a sidekick), RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON excels in the character and journey department over the destination. Raya is awesome! First, she looks amazing! Donning a super suave hat and robe that mimics the old samurai and spaghetti western films while wielding a wicked sword that can break apart and stretch, Raya might be Disney’s coolest character ever put on screen.
The side characters are also funny and enjoyable. Most notably Sisu, the surprisingly silly and in her eyes, least powerful dragon, although she is a really terrific swimmer. Raya is also joined by a quick-witted boy, a thieving baby and her minion monkeys, and an imposing axe-wielding gentle giant. But I think the most interesting character arc lies with Raya’s nemesis who proves redemption, walking a line of friend or foe.
Personally, I’ve really appreciated Disney’s new female characters, like Elsa or Moana (my favorite), who don’t need a male love interest. Raya is another great addition with the story focussing on the journey using themes of trust and teamwork. And not to say love stories aren’t great too. But we have such a back catalogue of old Disney kinda getting it wrong enough that I cringe and probably over-correct when watching them with my daughter. RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is something I can be proud to watch with my children.
Enough can’t be said about the the stunning animation, which creates heroic scenes that one can’t wait to watch again and again. Similar to THE AVENGERS or any superhero scene, their is one particular moment where the door opens up to reveal Raya in her full man-with-no-name wardrobe wielding her dad’s break-away whipping sword as she confronts an army, that is simply eye-watering goodness.
Sure the story steals from a plethora of familiar movies before it, but that doesn’t matter, because RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON finds new and creative ways to deliver old tricks. Without ever being too sad or too scary, I believe RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is entertaining with positive themes and is spectacular to look at for kids and adults alike.
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