Raya and the Last Dragon Movie Review: A Message of Unity That’s Sorely Needed
Raya and the Last Dragon is a spectacular, beautiful, and fun new animated film from Walt Disney Studios. The story features a young warrior princess named Raya, who is on a quest to save her family and the world from evil shadow monsters (Druun) that can turn living creatures into stone. In order to do so, she seeks out the last dragon, Sisu, to help her put together the shards of a magical orb that are scattered across the different tribes of Kumandra. This movie has it all! Female empowerment done right, a showcase of a diverse range of characters, and a message of unity that will stick with you far after the movie is over. The characters are really endearing and there’s a good mix of drama and comedy to keep you entertained and invested for the entire duration of the film. I think the filmmakers did a fantastic job crafting a story that pays tribute and takes inspiration from Southeast Asian culture. This movie is one that will stand the test of time!
Raya and the Last Dragon is a very well-crafted adventure story. From the very beginning, you understand the severity of the situation at hand and become aligned with Raya’s character motives. A resounding theme of the movie is about unity and trust. While the opening shows a breach of trust that catapults the world into chaos, the movie takes you on a journey where as more characters get introduced, more friendships develop and differences are absolved. The world-building in this movie is absolutely stunning! Every new environment showcases a different side of Kumandra and the 5 tribes that comprise it. You see a diversity of characters, settings, and situations that fill you with awe and is a visual treat for your eyes.
I think that the characters in this movie are all absolutely fantastic. Raya, Sisu, and Namaari are excellent examples of heroines who are complex, interesting, and all-around fierce. Raya is a very likable character and it’s easy to want to root for her from beginning to end. Sisu comes in as this sassy and humorous personality that contrasts with Raya’s more serious personality. Sisu brings in a perspective of childlike curiosity and acceptance that might seem naive at first…but her presence plays a critical role in developing the plot and teaching the characters exactly what it takes to defeat the Druun in a way that you don’t quite expect. And last but not least on my list, Namaari is a great example of a complex character who casts herself as the villain from the beginning, but ends up playing a way more complex role than that of just being a hurdle for Raya and her gang to overcome. Ultimately, the villain of the story is not Namaari or even the Druun because it has to do with something that lies within. Disney is definitely taking a note from Pixar about how to craft stories for the modern day audience that explores deeper issues rather than having black and white, good vs. evil characters.
In Conclusion…
Raya and the Last Dragon is a fantastic film that is fun for all ages. It is very much a Disney animated feature that accomplishes everything it set out to accomplish in terms of creativity and emotion. I, like many others in the Asian community, am absolutely thrilled to see such a fun and wonderful movie sharing aspects of Asian culture to the mainstream audience in a respectful and endearing way. Yes representation!