Raya and the Last Dragon is the 59th Walt Disney Animated feature film to be released, and the first animated film to be released in 2021; the film’s release was simultaneously on Disney+ with their Premier Access and will become free to subscribers on June 4.
In the mystical world of Kumandra the lands are being rampaged by the Druun, evil spirits that turn people to stone and then multiply. The dragons of Kumandra use their remaining magic to create an orb to ward off the Druun and revive everyone, but end up turning to stone themselves. 500 years later, a power struggle for the orb divides the Kumandra people into tribes, based on their placement along a giant river that resembles a dragon: Fang, Heart, Tail, Spine and Talon. We follow Raya, a young warrior from the Heart tribe who is in search of the last dragon who can save the world and revive all the people and unite the tribes once again.
This is an original story from Disney where there’s no songs and no love story, straight up just a story about a girl and her friend dragon going out and trying to save the world. From start to finish this movie was fantastic: wonderful characters you care for right away, stunning animation and brilliant voice acting. This movie will go down as one of Disney’s best in recent years.
The story is simple, and we have seen many things like it, but here it’s done in such a good way that you really don’t notice too much. The filmmakers bring so much creativity and new ideas to an old trope that it feels fresh in their hands. Much time was spent making this world feel real and it shows.
Each tribe is set in different locations and environments: snow, desert, coastal, etc. The movie makes such nice choices to differentiate each tribe. From their look, clothing and style each reign gets its own unique world and story within a bigger story. You become fascinated with each new culture and how they differ from each other: The Fang tribe is regal and uses whites in most of their designs, where the Spine Clan is more of a homemade look of grays and black from their harsh weather. The world Disney has created is one I’d love to spend more time in.
The voice cast in the movie is great. In telling a very Asian influenced story, Disney uses most all Asian or American Asian actors in the roles. Raya is voiced by Star Wars alum Kelly Marie Tran. She is strong, confident and will not be strayed from her mission to find Sisu, the last dragon, voiced by comedic actress Awkwafina. She is amazing as the last dragon, with her comic timing and love of all things: humans, food, life in general. Awkwafina captures this in just her voice which proves she can do more than just be funny.
Raya has a rival from the Fang tribe, Namaari, voiced by Gemma Chan. She is just like Raya, strong and confident. She also will do what she needs to do for her tribe. But she is unfortunately a pawn in a game her mother has crafted, chiefess Virana, voiced by Sandra Oh. Namaari needs the orb to make the Fang tribe the most powerful tribe in the lands, but at what cost? We see her struggle as she wants to be the savior of the world but also do what’s right. Raya and Namaari are two sides of the same coin, doing their best separately, but if they put aside their differences they could be so much more.
Rounding out the cast is the talents of Daniel Day Kim as Raya’s father, Chief Benja; Benedict Wong as Tong, a formidable warrior giant from the Spine land; Alan Tudyk as Tuk Tuk, Raya’s best friend and trusty steed that is a mix of an Armadillo and pill bug; and last but not least newcomer Izaac Wang as Boun, a 10-year-old entrepreneur and owner of the “Shrimporium”, a boat restaurant in the Tail Land. Each of these characters are important to the movie and superbly voiced by such talents actors. These characters make up the band of heroes Raya finds along her way, and each helps out in their own way, making the movie that more enjoyable.
The animation is stunning and so creative. Each dragon is unique in movement, style and color. This movie is pure color. Each new scene pops with stunning colors that are so bright and vibrant. This is a breathtaking world that would be amazing to live in. Hopefully if this is successful there could be a Raya Land in a Disney theme park. They have crafted a wonderful and unique world for this story.
The score is masterfully composed by Oscar nominated James Newton Howard. He blends an Asian style mixed with traditional movie score. It beautiful, with the stings being paired with drums. Whatever music movie magic he did really works here. Without his music I don’t know if the movie would be as beautiful. There are moments of just score that are so beautiful with sounds you swear it could bring a tear to your eye.
Overall, I’m a big fan of Raya and the Last Dragon. It works on so many levels. It’s a shame due to the pandemic that a lot of people may not be able to see this movie just yet. But when they do, they will be so glad they did. I want this movie to be successful so please watch it in the Disney+. So far, top contender for movie of the year from me.