In the beginning of 2020, there was a plan for Disney to release Disney/Pixar’s Soul in the summer of that year, and Disney’s 59th animated feature in November of that same year. By March 2020, however, a dangerous virus began to plague America, and movies began either shifting their theatrical release dates to a different date, or going straight to streaming. Long story, short, even if Disney/Pixar had intended to release Soul around Thanksgiving of that year, they instead decided to release it straight to Disney+. With Walt Disney Pictures/Walt Disney Animation Studios 59th animated feature, however, it was a different story. In that case, they decided to release it in early March of this year, both in theaters, and on Disney+, with $30 Premiere Access until June of this year, when it’s apparently supposed to be free to watch on there then. This film that we’re covering, and reviewing today, surprisingly happened to be one of my most anticipated films for this year, along with In The Heights, Space Jam: A New Legacy, and maybe even The Matrix 4. Go figure! Well, presenting to you all, my review of Disney’s 59th animated feature, Raya & The Last Dragon!
Plot: Set in the mythical Southeast Asian kingdom of Kumundra, people start off living in peace, and harmony with each other. But one day, evil spirits, known as the Druun, begin to wreak havoc upon the land, and cause chaos, and division among the people, to the point of Kumundra being divided into different kingdoms. But all the dragons of this kingdom, who are known to bring water, and life into the world, sacrifice themselves to destroy the Druun. That is all except one remaining dragon, and the gem piece that provides hope for the dragons to possibly return one day. 500 years later, a young girl named Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), and her father, Benja (Daniel Dae Kim) invite the people of the different kingdoms to come, and make a peace agreement between each other. This does not go well, however, as some of the other people discover the remaining gem piece, fight for it, and break it, causing the Druun to return, the people of each kingdom stealing one of the gem pieces for themselves, and Benja instructing Raya to find the last dragon, having to sacrifice himself by throwing Raya in water, and her having to escape from the Druun (as those creatures cannot tolerate water). Now, with the help of her pal Tuk Tuk (voiced by Alan Tudyk, and is a combination of armadillo, and pill bug in this film), will Raya, Tuk Tuk, and some new friends that they meet along the way, be able to find the last dragon, and gather the broken gems of the kingdoms, and defeat the Druun, and maybe bring back the dragons into the world once and for all?
Now, after seeing this trailer online in the fall, and then seeing the trailer on some movies in theaters a couple months later, I was really hoping that this film would not have had to go straight to Disney+ like Disney/Pixar’s Soul did. In fact, I hoped that it’s March release date would be kept, whatever that took. So, was it worth putting this film in theaters in the end? Most definitely! I mean even if this film had to go to both theaters, and Disney+ with $30 Premiere Access simultaneously, then at least people have the opportunity to see this film either way. Truthfully, though, Raya & The Last Dragon is one of those films that is a better experience on the big screen in theaters. First of all, this Disney film deserves credit with it’s animation. Raya & The Last Dragon serves as a prime example of how far animation, especially from Disney, has come in more recent years. Take films like Zootopia, Moana, or even Frozen, and Big Hero 6. All of those Disney films seem to have some of the most crisp, and best of the best animation that could be offered. Quite honestly, if Walt Disney himself had lived to be around 100-120 years old, or shortly after, and approved of films like this one, Zootopia, Moana, or even ones from the 1990s like The Lion King, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, and Tarzan, one could guarantee that he probably would have been proud of how far animation has come for this company. I would say the same would go for some of the more engaging stories that have come out over the past twenty to thirty years. Oh, and that’s another thing. The story for Raya & The Last Dragon is not only engaging for the audience, but also very unique, and not typically something that one would hear about being written for a Disney film. Sure, one could possibly detect minor similarities with films like say 1982’s non-Disney film, The Last Unicorn, when it comes to certain elements of this film. However, because this film goes in a whole new direction, and makes as much of a unique story as possible, it doesn’t detract from how fun, and creative this Disney film is. Oh, and the story seems to take a more mature route than many other Disney films, while still keeping that family friendly attitude as well. At times, it’s almost like you have a more family friendly version of martial arts movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Fearless, the Indiana Jones films, or even the Tomb Raider movies, but with the magic of Disney mixed in. Additionally, the characters are very engaging. I wonder if part of that might be that there didn’t seem to be as many characters to focus on here as there may have been in say 2001’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Yes, even most of those characters seem to stand out too. However, in that film, some of the side characters, along with the villain sidekick, could have maybe been developed more, but weren’t because of it being only 90 minutes long, while this film is between 100-110 minutes long. So I guess the lesson learned is that the longer the movie is, the more likely characters are to be more memorable? You got me! Also, Raya, and Sisu have some great chemistry with their friendship. Sisu even has some hilarious moments, and makes this film even more entertaining. Now, would I go so far as to say that Sisu’s comedy is as great as say the Genie’s from 1992’s Aladdin? No! Still, that doesn’t make Sisu any less likable. As for Namaari, she is definitely a great villain. As for Raya herself, she’s really likable too. In fact, she should get a chance in the Disney Princess lineup sooner, or later. She’s strong, brave, and courageous. She may be like someone like Moana, but that doesn’t keep her from having her own personal touch as well. That should make her even more memorable. Oh, and let’s not forget the cast of this film. Yes, you do have a cast that’s mostly Asian, like with Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, Lucille Soong, Awkwafina, and some of those. Still, it’s cool to have a few American actors mixed in like Kelly Marie Tran, and Alan Tudyk. Wow, I can’t believe how much Alan Tudyk has seems to be well associated with Disney Animation over the past decade, almost. I mean with him playing King Candy in Wreck-It-Ralph, Duke Of Weselton in Frozen, Duke Weaselton in Zootopia, Hei Hei the chicken in Moana, and now Tuk Tuk in Raya & The Last Dragon, it’s cool to see him well known in Disney Animation. Should he have a possible break somewhere along the way? Well, that’s his, and Disney’s call, I suppose. Next, there is the score from James Newton Howard. Wow, after he had been absent from at least Disney Animation for nearly twenty years, who would have guessed that Disney would hire him back on to finally score for a Disney animated film again? Not only does his score make the film, and the soundtrack for this film even more memorable, but it’s almost like he seems to sort of change his style with how he composes music. I mean when you watch lesser known Disney films that James Newton Howard scored in like 2000’s Dinosaur, 2001’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and 2002’s Treasure Planet, and then watch 2021’s Raya & The Last Dragon, there’s no doubt that you can still sense that James Newton Howard making the touches on the music for this film. However, I think the trio of Disney films from the early to mid-2000s would be jealous, because Howard seems to have added more instruments to his music this time around, when it’s come to this film. That’s all that I will say for the music, as there are surprisingly no songs for this film, except for a song that’s sung during the end credits, called “Lead The Way,” by Jhene Aiko. Who would have guessed that after Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire had gone that route twenty years ago, Raya & The Last Dragon would take that route now too? The only difference is that it seemed to work a a little better this time around, either because of the longer running time than Atlantis, or some other reason. Next, there is the world building. Now, if you liked the world building in say 2016’s Zootopia, chances are you’ll probably like the world building for here, in 2021’s Raya & The Last Dragon as well. Sure, we may have gotten to spend a little more time in the different worlds in Zootopia than with the ones here in Raya & The Last Dragon. However, since we do get to spend enough time in the worlds of this film anyway, one shouldn’t worry about docking points for that. Oh, and another thing! Much like Disney films like 1994’s The Lion King, and 2016’s Moana, 2021’s Raya & The Last Dragon may have some New Age things in it. However, though that may be the case, Raya & The Last Dragon does surprisingly have some really good Christian symbolism in it, and has some elements that could be taken from a Christian perspective. For instance, there’s the whole deal about the dragons possibly symbolizing God, the Heavenly Angels, and all the is good in the world, while the Druun can easily symbolize the devil, and all the evil, and corruption in life. Not only that, but this film can easily provide great Christian morals about not repaying evil for evil, loving your enemies, forgiving them for their wrongs against you, and showing grace, and compassion to your enemies, or even to those that you may not think deserve it. I would say that if a non-Christian were to see this movie with a Christian who’s more mature in his/her faith, he, or she could probably have a very good discussion with that non-Christian in regards to those potential aspects of this film. I suppose same would go for a group of mainly Christian friends seeing this film together at the same time. Oh, and there’s something else that I probably should have touched on earlier. It’s cool that instead of the dragons breathing fire, or even flying, they instead help provide water, and life in the world. Oh, I should definitely mention the cool, and unique loves that some of the dragons make throughout the course of this film too. There’s that, along with characters like Sisu providing a likely very good picture of what our Heavenly Father is like. Oh, and the additional themes about learning to come together, and unite in both good, and difficult times, is a very nice touch for this film as well. The only thing that I would say could be a double-edged sword would be the whole deal about trusting others. Yes, it’s good to show grace, and mercy to others. And yes, being united as one with each other is better than being divided. However, we should still remember, both before, and after seeing this movie, that we can’t always trust certain people in life. We must remember that trust must be earned in the end. Yes, we must trust God always, but this is mainly in regards to trusting other people, you know? So there’s that!
And that’s my review for Disney’s 59th animated feature, Raya & The Last Dragon. Honestly, if you still haven’t yet seen Raya & The Last Dragon within the past 7-8 weeks that it’s been out, and have the choice of watching this on Disney+, with $30 Premiere Access, or seeing this film in theaters, definitely try to go see it in theaters, if possible. I can guarantee you’ll have a much better experience. This film is engaging, has some of the most beautiful animation, has some really likable characters, main ones, side ones, and villains, and has a really fantastic score by James Newton Howard. I wouldn’t be surprised if one wanted to purchase the soundtrack after this. If there’s any way that James Newton Howard could get a nomination for Best Original Score, he should. He deserves one for once. Oh, and of course this film provides some really good lessons. Again, definitely go see Raya & The Last Dragon, if you haven’t. It is worth seeing in the theaters more so than just Disney+. Oh, and make sure you bring a package of tissues with you. You may need them for some moments here and there in this film!
Final Grade: A
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 