'Raya And The Last Dragon (2021)' has a strange tone that actually sees its comedy clash immensely with its drama, rather than compliment it. It doesn't help that the opening is pretty much played straight and that there is a rather serious undercurrent running throughout the entire affair. It also has an odd pace that kind of makes it feel like a video-game truncated into two hours, awkwardly squashed to fit its medium. These issues are particularly frustrating because there are segments in which the movie truly is great. Rather than being outright bad, its least successful moments simply pull down its most successful ones and make the overall affair less effective than it clearly could have been. Still, it's not as if the flick isn't enjoyable. For the most part, it's a solidly entertaining experience with some unique aesthetics and appropriately amazing animation. The fact that it was completed almost entirely from home due to COVID-19 is especially impressive; it looks and moves just as good as any of Disney's recent efforts, if not better. One highlight is certainly its fight scenes, which typically have quite a bit of weight to them and emulate something seen in a proper martial arts flick (though they're obviously less violent). In the end, this is a mostly fun but occasionally frustrating adventure. Despite its issues, it proves that people can pull together to create compelling no matter what the circumstances may be. 7/10.
1,163 Reviews
The most disneyious Disney-Movie
Alex_Lo21 June 2022
This Disney film is one hundred percent Disney, that's the best description I can come up with.
There are too many sidekicks, but they are still likeable. The moral of the story is overused, but that doesn't make it any less valuable. The visuals and worldbuilding are stunning, the story is too formulaic. The story is cheesy and also beautiful. So simply Disney.
There are too many sidekicks, but they are still likeable. The moral of the story is overused, but that doesn't make it any less valuable. The visuals and worldbuilding are stunning, the story is too formulaic. The story is cheesy and also beautiful. So simply Disney.
The definition of 6/10
whiskeywhiskey797 June 2021
Gorgeous
ThomasDrufke22 October 2021
Raya and the Last Dragon is the type of Disney animated film we'd get in the mid 90's. Heartfelt, at times heartbreaking, but most of all an achievement in animation that instantly makes you want to revisit the story shortly after. Oh, and it's also perfect for young children who want to be entertained and adults who look for life lessons hidden in these films (unlike most of Universal's animation).
9.5/10.
9.5/10.
Raya's Dragon is Shiny and Boistrous, But Overly Familiar
drqshadow-reviews4 August 2022
In a nation divided by hard civic borders, plus a generation's worth of simmering distrust, a diplomatic olive branch is extended and then snapped. This betrayal shatters both the uneasy peace and a symbolic crystal, the latter of which unleashes a cloud of spectral monsters and envelops the land in a lasting chaos. Years later, in a dark and dangerous new age, a determined young heiress seeks to heal both wounds by awakening a mythical dragon and gathering the crystal shards.
I'm making this sound stuffier than it really is. Although Raya is driven by her responsibility and the fantastical plot is a little stiff, the periphery is crammed with the standard helping of wacky Disney sidekicks and the culture-rich art direction (an amalgamation of several southeast Asian influences) is breathtaking. Awkwafina is the standout, providing the voice of the enthusiastic, rainbow-themed, re-awakened dragon. Spritely and sarcastic, she bounces her way through an appropriately wacky, joyful role that brings much-needed relief during the heavier scenes and an extra dash of heart elsewhere.
The story is deeply formulaic, though, and the primary plot arc is predictable enough to write in stone within the first twenty minutes. Good, and pretty, enough to merit a family watch, but not something I'll need to revisit any time soon.
I'm making this sound stuffier than it really is. Although Raya is driven by her responsibility and the fantastical plot is a little stiff, the periphery is crammed with the standard helping of wacky Disney sidekicks and the culture-rich art direction (an amalgamation of several southeast Asian influences) is breathtaking. Awkwafina is the standout, providing the voice of the enthusiastic, rainbow-themed, re-awakened dragon. Spritely and sarcastic, she bounces her way through an appropriately wacky, joyful role that brings much-needed relief during the heavier scenes and an extra dash of heart elsewhere.
The story is deeply formulaic, though, and the primary plot arc is predictable enough to write in stone within the first twenty minutes. Good, and pretty, enough to merit a family watch, but not something I'll need to revisit any time soon.
A funfilled fantasy with high class animation
madanmarwah7 March 2022
Yet another brilliantly done animation movie which is absolutely absorbing and should please audiences of all age groups. The movie has an Asian background and the antagonist is Raya, a warrior princess on a mission to bring back a dragon gem which will then help to bring back her father who has been turned into a stone statue by evil spirits. All this she does with the help of Sisu the last dragon who converts into human form for the mission. The plot keeps us glued to the screen since it has all the elements of an emotional drama ( father -daughter relationship) .The kingdom is split into 5 parts resembling the parts of a dragon starting from Fang, then Heart, Spine, Talon and finally Tail. So there is a mission, an assorted crusader group from the 5 areas, a few evil spirits ( the druuns), some adventures on the way, a bit of betrayal by a member, death of a member, and finally a fight to gain the gem which breaks into 5 pieces. Now Princess Raya has to retrieve and reassemble the 5 pieces to make the gem whole again and achieve results. ( Similar to mission of Avengers end game ?).
There are a few nicely done scenes like a hand to combat of princess Raya and princess Namaari, dragons dancing and flying all over the landscape, Vietnamese boats area etc. The dialogue speaks of trust, togetherness and peace like " Maybe the world is broken due to lack of trust" and " We are a world of orphans because we are fighting over a piece of gem". Very relevant to what is happening in our world today.
There are a few nicely done scenes like a hand to combat of princess Raya and princess Namaari, dragons dancing and flying all over the landscape, Vietnamese boats area etc. The dialogue speaks of trust, togetherness and peace like " Maybe the world is broken due to lack of trust" and " We are a world of orphans because we are fighting over a piece of gem". Very relevant to what is happening in our world today.
Visually Spellbinding But Has No Original Voice Of Its Own
CinemaClown6 March 2021
Taking the usual Disney story template, applying the same rinse n repeat formula to it, then slapping the added representation tag on the package just for the sake of it, and marketing it as something fresh when it's not, Raya and the Last Dragon marks the arrival of a new princess in the Disney kingdom, and is truly astounding to look at but the film as a whole has no original voice of its own.
Directed by Don Hall & Carlos López Estrada, the story hurries us through its own mythology and doesn't spend enough time to strengthen the foundations before the main plot surfaces. Add to that, it expects the viewers to be invested in Raya's journey without putting in the effort that would compel us to do the same. There are familiar beats & predictable subplots here, plus it plays safe instead of risking anything.
While some characters are interesting, others are annoying. Humour also falls flat, for the film tries too hard. The emotional moments pack a punch but isn't allowed to stay afloat for long enough to deliver the goods. The animation is breathtaking for sure. Its richness, colour depth, lighting & rendering is almost immaculate. The background score by James Newton Howard is also a plus. And the voice cast play their roles responsibly as well.
Overall, Raya and the Last Dragon is enjoyable & entertaining, and will manage to satisfy most but there isn't anything new or different about it. Visually it may look richer & resonant but the underlying flavours are all the same. From a storytelling perspective, it is formulaic. From a creative standpoint, only its animation is worth noting. Nonetheless, despite the conventional treatment, there is a sense of fun & lighthearted quality to it that makes the ride pleasant enough.
Directed by Don Hall & Carlos López Estrada, the story hurries us through its own mythology and doesn't spend enough time to strengthen the foundations before the main plot surfaces. Add to that, it expects the viewers to be invested in Raya's journey without putting in the effort that would compel us to do the same. There are familiar beats & predictable subplots here, plus it plays safe instead of risking anything.
While some characters are interesting, others are annoying. Humour also falls flat, for the film tries too hard. The emotional moments pack a punch but isn't allowed to stay afloat for long enough to deliver the goods. The animation is breathtaking for sure. Its richness, colour depth, lighting & rendering is almost immaculate. The background score by James Newton Howard is also a plus. And the voice cast play their roles responsibly as well.
Overall, Raya and the Last Dragon is enjoyable & entertaining, and will manage to satisfy most but there isn't anything new or different about it. Visually it may look richer & resonant but the underlying flavours are all the same. From a storytelling perspective, it is formulaic. From a creative standpoint, only its animation is worth noting. Nonetheless, despite the conventional treatment, there is a sense of fun & lighthearted quality to it that makes the ride pleasant enough.
Beautiful film
GU-Gohan26 April 2021
Seriously. What's wrong with humanity? All these people who give this film a 1/10 have lost their mind. Don't take a single one of these review scores seriously. That isn't a question of opinion. Those people have an agenda. They're bitter human beings, hiding in the anonymity of the internet behind their desk and post their biased, pitiful buzzwords. Review-bombing a film for kids, how pathetic and miserable are they?
Seriously, I respect different kind of opinions. I respect that people perceive and rate films differently. I would accept it if people give that film a 4/10 or a 10/10 because they genuinely believe that and because that's in a range that I would see as "plausible". But anyone who gives this film a 1/10 is not a reviewer. These persons are totally biased and not qualified to give a proper score.
The film was wonderful. Animations are top-notch. The story is clichéd, but okay. In the end, it's a movie for kids and even though I still like watching Disney films, they can't be compared to complex, non-animated films because they're targeting a different audience. So I'm not expecting a film like Memento here, but that should be obvious... Although the film lacked the typical songs, I found the soundtrack quite beautiful and atmospheric. To sum it up, it's a nice story and an overall beautiful film for everyone.
Seriously, I respect different kind of opinions. I respect that people perceive and rate films differently. I would accept it if people give that film a 4/10 or a 10/10 because they genuinely believe that and because that's in a range that I would see as "plausible". But anyone who gives this film a 1/10 is not a reviewer. These persons are totally biased and not qualified to give a proper score.
The film was wonderful. Animations are top-notch. The story is clichéd, but okay. In the end, it's a movie for kids and even though I still like watching Disney films, they can't be compared to complex, non-animated films because they're targeting a different audience. So I'm not expecting a film like Memento here, but that should be obvious... Although the film lacked the typical songs, I found the soundtrack quite beautiful and atmospheric. To sum it up, it's a nice story and an overall beautiful film for everyone.
Good old Disney magic
abigailcoucher6 January 2023
Raya and the Last Dragon is a fantastic film that is sure to delight people of all ages. This exciting adventure follows the brave and strong-willed Raya, who sets off on a quest to find the last dragon and break an ancient curse. Along the way, she meets friends from other lands who join her cause. The animation is beautiful and the story is surprisingly mature for a Disney film, dealing with themes of trust, collaboration and understanding. The music soundtrack is gorgeous and the characters, both old and new, are all memorable. The action sequences are thrilling, and there's plenty of humor throughout the movie. Raya and the Last Dragon is an impressive achievement that is sure to leave viewers with a smile on their faces.
Going Through the Motions
evanston_dad25 August 2021
The animation is absolutely dazzling, but otherwise this movie just goes through the motions. There are a lot of platitudes about trust and tolerance that we've heard a million times before -- same book, different cover.
Grade: B.
Grade: B.
A Missed Opportunity: Banal Plot, Rough Dialogue and Flat Characters
johannesburgensenjr29 March 2021
The movie's basically another allegory on greed and how it can tear humanity apart.
Now the plot's lack of originality would've been fine if they had a strong cast and some solid writing to build upon. But sadly, they were more concerned over the number of characters they could shove into the film than they were with actually developing said characters into actual people.
They keep cracking jokes and pop culture references instead of holding conversations that would could've added depth or provide a much more organic build-up to trusting and accompanying Raya -- a lone wanderer. They do have their somber moments, but it's brief and doesn't really do much in terms of establishing their bond over lost loved ones. It feels formulaic.
Back to the theme, I get it. People are inherently greedy. Greed is bad and destroys communities. It's overdone and the movie constantly bashes the audience's heads over it. Especially Sisu, who's the worst offender of the bad off-timed
I gotta admit that Raya does have great visuals and fluid animation. However, the dragons just pull you right out of the immersion. They stood out like sore thumbs with their wacky colors and fur, similar to those silly caterpillars with googly eyes. I bet they designed these "sacred dragons" with the intention to sell as many toys as they can.
Now the plot's lack of originality would've been fine if they had a strong cast and some solid writing to build upon. But sadly, they were more concerned over the number of characters they could shove into the film than they were with actually developing said characters into actual people.
They keep cracking jokes and pop culture references instead of holding conversations that would could've added depth or provide a much more organic build-up to trusting and accompanying Raya -- a lone wanderer. They do have their somber moments, but it's brief and doesn't really do much in terms of establishing their bond over lost loved ones. It feels formulaic.
Back to the theme, I get it. People are inherently greedy. Greed is bad and destroys communities. It's overdone and the movie constantly bashes the audience's heads over it. Especially Sisu, who's the worst offender of the bad off-timed
I gotta admit that Raya does have great visuals and fluid animation. However, the dragons just pull you right out of the immersion. They stood out like sore thumbs with their wacky colors and fur, similar to those silly caterpillars with googly eyes. I bet they designed these "sacred dragons" with the intention to sell as many toys as they can.
Saving humanity
TheLittleSongbird23 February 2023
Despite seeing and hearing a lot of mixed reactions, with the disappointment being strong, this reviewer was still up for seeing 'Raya and the Last Dragon'. Due to being a huge lifelong fan of Disney, especially their 30s-60s work and a vast majority of the Renaissance era. It did become very hit and miss post-'Tarzan', when it hit like with 'Tangled' the results were wonderful. When it missed however, like 'Chicken Little', it was not worthy of the Disney name.
Have also really appreciated how Disney became more diverse over the years, with more exploring of different cultures (like 'Raya and the Last Dragon' does with South East Asia) which have really broadened the horizons. As well as their tackling of bold and more mature themes. 'Raya and the Last Dragon' is not one of Disney's best by any stretch and can understand why there are people disappointed totally. This reviewer actually liked it a lot though on the whole, a few issues but a lot is also done right.
Those things done right are going to be mentioned first. The animation is stunning, with backgrounds that dazzle in their vibrancy and rich attention to detail. James Newton Howard's music score is a beautiful mix of haunting, rousing, melancholic and spirited, with lots of lush orchestration, energetic and atmospheric rhythms and some nice Asian flavour too. The voice acting is fine also, Kelly Marie Tran is absolutely impeccable and Gemma Chan is suitably sinister as Namaari.
While the story is not perfect, it has a good deal of energy, rouses in the beautifully and imaginatively animated action and to me it did have heart. Loved how there was a mix of old and new Disney with its embracing of conventions and loved the cultural element, which was nostalgic, educational and didn't come over as stereotypical. The action excites and the screen blade is really cool. The writing again isn't perfect, with it mostly failing in one crucial component, but it is smart and well meaning with it not coming over as awkward. The titular character is incredibly winning and easy to root for.
'Raya and the Last Dragon' is far from perfect though. To me, it is too safe with not a lot of risk taking and trying to be a little too closely indebted to older Disney conventions rather than doing something new. The pacing can be off, with some of the storytelling later on feeling over-crowded. Especially in the climax, which felt rushed.
Furthermore, the humour mostly does not work. It came over as very forced too often, out of place within the story and dated. Especially with the truly annoying Sisu, a character that there could have been less of to be perfectly honest.
Concluding, a lot to like but could have been better. 7/10.
Have also really appreciated how Disney became more diverse over the years, with more exploring of different cultures (like 'Raya and the Last Dragon' does with South East Asia) which have really broadened the horizons. As well as their tackling of bold and more mature themes. 'Raya and the Last Dragon' is not one of Disney's best by any stretch and can understand why there are people disappointed totally. This reviewer actually liked it a lot though on the whole, a few issues but a lot is also done right.
Those things done right are going to be mentioned first. The animation is stunning, with backgrounds that dazzle in their vibrancy and rich attention to detail. James Newton Howard's music score is a beautiful mix of haunting, rousing, melancholic and spirited, with lots of lush orchestration, energetic and atmospheric rhythms and some nice Asian flavour too. The voice acting is fine also, Kelly Marie Tran is absolutely impeccable and Gemma Chan is suitably sinister as Namaari.
While the story is not perfect, it has a good deal of energy, rouses in the beautifully and imaginatively animated action and to me it did have heart. Loved how there was a mix of old and new Disney with its embracing of conventions and loved the cultural element, which was nostalgic, educational and didn't come over as stereotypical. The action excites and the screen blade is really cool. The writing again isn't perfect, with it mostly failing in one crucial component, but it is smart and well meaning with it not coming over as awkward. The titular character is incredibly winning and easy to root for.
'Raya and the Last Dragon' is far from perfect though. To me, it is too safe with not a lot of risk taking and trying to be a little too closely indebted to older Disney conventions rather than doing something new. The pacing can be off, with some of the storytelling later on feeling over-crowded. Especially in the climax, which felt rushed.
Furthermore, the humour mostly does not work. It came over as very forced too often, out of place within the story and dated. Especially with the truly annoying Sisu, a character that there could have been less of to be perfectly honest.
Concluding, a lot to like but could have been better. 7/10.
Truly wonderful (and funny, too)
MsDJH16 January 2023
I didn't expect to like this film at all. I thought it would be a mix of fantasy and martial arts, but it was something entirely different. Right from the start the visuals sucked me in and so did the characters, most of all Raya and Si-Su. Every world they visited was interesting and their entire journey enthralled me, especially the end. It touched me like Disney classics usually do. Very beautifully done. Raya and the Last Dragon is definitely a new favorite of mine I'm looking forward to rewatch. Only next time, I hope, on a bigger screen, not just my tablet. I bet I'll love it even more then.
I could tell it was good immediately
FeastMode7 November 2021
This is a great animated movie. Visually beautiful with a good story, heart, and some pretty cool action (the fight scenes were really good!). I was emotionally invested in the characters and the outcome of the story. Very funny. Awkwafina did a great job, elevating her character. I really enjoyed it and would watch it again. Oh and I liked the musical score. (1 viewing, 11/6/2021)
Entretaining
nicolasverdessm27 March 2022
Really entretaining, I can see Disney here making kind of a bold move with a different tone in this movie, more story based and maybe grimer. The animation and art direction are ofcourse amazing, I really liked how different cities look different but but you can tell they came from the same influence, as everything was once one big countrie. The character of the dragon wasn't my favorite, I think she looks wierd in dragon form, in human form the voice and personality really matched up. Not all jokes landed.
Good but there are some problems
stefanozucchelli29 July 2022
Aesthetically it is an amazing movie, not for everything else. The story might be nice but there are too many plot holes and forcing in the script. Everyone wants the gem but no one tells us why they want it. It is said to be magical but the only power we see is that it pushes the drumm away, so it was perfectly useless in the 500 years that the Drumms weren't there.
The movie repeats ad nauseam that problems arose because people didn't trust each other and started creating boundaries. But I wonder if for 500 years the 5 kingdoms went on even if divided, maybe that wasn't the problem.
Another thing is that at the end of the movie Raya has to trust the enemy who has betrayed her several times. Perhaps the problem is not trust but too much trust in the wrong people.
There is no decent villain. Drumms are as dangerous as a natural disaster. Terrible but casual, they don't act out of malice. Raya's friend / enemy and her mother actually act because they want to help their people by showing more sense than Raya who throughout the movie shows a certain insensitivity to the situations in which others find themselves. His only goal is to get his father back.
The movie repeats ad nauseam that problems arose because people didn't trust each other and started creating boundaries. But I wonder if for 500 years the 5 kingdoms went on even if divided, maybe that wasn't the problem.
Another thing is that at the end of the movie Raya has to trust the enemy who has betrayed her several times. Perhaps the problem is not trust but too much trust in the wrong people.
There is no decent villain. Drumms are as dangerous as a natural disaster. Terrible but casual, they don't act out of malice. Raya's friend / enemy and her mother actually act because they want to help their people by showing more sense than Raya who throughout the movie shows a certain insensitivity to the situations in which others find themselves. His only goal is to get his father back.
Wholeheartedly entertaining and visually impressive...
paul_haakonsen5 March 2021
Well, I was definitely looking forward to getting to sit down to watch "Raya and the Last Dragon" and I must admit that I had some expectations for this 2021 animated movie, no doubt about that.
And Disney definitely delivered with this animated movie. I will give them that much. Yeah, "Raya and the Last Dragon" was an enjoyable animated movie in many ways. First of all, the storyline was good, and it was one that was pretty straight forward and easy to follow. It wasn't cluttered down with an abundance of side plots and sub-stories, no it was straight forward and to the point. But perhaps that could be a double-edged sword, because that could also mean that the storyline didn't offer as much as it could have to some people? But hey, I was entertained.
Now, if you have an interest in Asian culture and mythology, there are lots of things to life in "Raya and the Last Dragon".
Then there were the characters. Indeed, there was an abundance of likeable and loveable characters here, from the small monkey-like creatures to the majestic dragons, and everything in between. I really liked the Raya character and also the dragon Sisu.
"Raya and the Last Dragon" has some pretty amazing and visually stunning-looking CGI animations. Wow. When you sit down to watch the 2021 "Raya and the Last Dragon", prepare to be bedazzled. I was in awe at the impressive CGI and art style they used for this animated movie. It looked very realistic, while still maintaining a sense of it being but an animated movie. But wow, the colors, the details, the sharpness to it all and the dynamic flow to it. Just made the entire animated world spring to life in a very believable and realistic manner. Thumb up, way, way up to the CGI department here.
And with "Raya and the Last Dragon" being an animated movie, then of course having the right selection of voice performers is crucial. And yes, they most certainly had that here. With a majority of Asian voice performers, I must admit that I was impressed. And I am glad to see - well, hear, technically - Kelly Marie Tran back on the screen. I am not familiar with Awkwafina, but she really nailed the voice performance for Sisu.
If you are just going to watch one animated feature in 2021, let it be "Raya and the Last Dragon", trust me. This one offers something for the entire family. I sat down to watch this with my 11 year old son and we were both loving it.
My rating of "Raya and the Last Dragon" lands on a well-deserved eight out of ten stars. I was initially going to rate it a seven, but the impressive CGI really upped the game here.
And Disney definitely delivered with this animated movie. I will give them that much. Yeah, "Raya and the Last Dragon" was an enjoyable animated movie in many ways. First of all, the storyline was good, and it was one that was pretty straight forward and easy to follow. It wasn't cluttered down with an abundance of side plots and sub-stories, no it was straight forward and to the point. But perhaps that could be a double-edged sword, because that could also mean that the storyline didn't offer as much as it could have to some people? But hey, I was entertained.
Now, if you have an interest in Asian culture and mythology, there are lots of things to life in "Raya and the Last Dragon".
Then there were the characters. Indeed, there was an abundance of likeable and loveable characters here, from the small monkey-like creatures to the majestic dragons, and everything in between. I really liked the Raya character and also the dragon Sisu.
"Raya and the Last Dragon" has some pretty amazing and visually stunning-looking CGI animations. Wow. When you sit down to watch the 2021 "Raya and the Last Dragon", prepare to be bedazzled. I was in awe at the impressive CGI and art style they used for this animated movie. It looked very realistic, while still maintaining a sense of it being but an animated movie. But wow, the colors, the details, the sharpness to it all and the dynamic flow to it. Just made the entire animated world spring to life in a very believable and realistic manner. Thumb up, way, way up to the CGI department here.
And with "Raya and the Last Dragon" being an animated movie, then of course having the right selection of voice performers is crucial. And yes, they most certainly had that here. With a majority of Asian voice performers, I must admit that I was impressed. And I am glad to see - well, hear, technically - Kelly Marie Tran back on the screen. I am not familiar with Awkwafina, but she really nailed the voice performance for Sisu.
If you are just going to watch one animated feature in 2021, let it be "Raya and the Last Dragon", trust me. This one offers something for the entire family. I sat down to watch this with my 11 year old son and we were both loving it.
My rating of "Raya and the Last Dragon" lands on a well-deserved eight out of ten stars. I was initially going to rate it a seven, but the impressive CGI really upped the game here.
Beautiful but unoriginal
annika-222-8315346 June 2021
Wow. The animation was absolutely stunning. But the story was completely predictable and unoriginal. Absolutely zero mystique - which is what I suspect most of us hoped for with a story like this. And then.... the dragon spoke. I get it, she's the comic relief, but it just didn't fit. Nonetheless, it was good for the kids. Simple to understand absolutely beautiful to look at.
Great family movie night
ilovefoodcoma27 April 2021
Typical Disney movie
qqml10 August 2022
Beautiful film
dchochrek82220 January 2023
I thought this was a visually stunning film. Unlike many of the reviewers I did not forget this film is for children. That being said the storyline was a good one for kids. The actors did a great job. I love the Disney formula and enjoy leaving a movie smiling. The animation raised this movie to amazing. I would definitely recommend this movie. From the message to the fight scenes, I found the movie fulfilling. I also loved the dragons. Reminded me of the many Chinatown parades I saw as a child. Don't let the cynical reviewers stop you from seeing this film. If you watch this from a child's innocence you will leave all warm and happy.
Huge dissapointment, overrated but still better than most
sisubalan9 August 2022
Great animation. Not heavily on representating the south east asian cultures as promised. Shouldve been better if it was musical like mulan since the actions were underwhelming. Hence the fight scenes can be improved. Not a fan of how the dragons depicted and illustrated here. Hence, sisu totally unnecessary at least her attitude and design didnt works well with raya nor the world itself, as theres no chemistry between raya and sisu. The animation reminds me of legend of korra, which is great at least. Great experiment, not executed properly. Still recommended.
Ignore the Haters...
mrteodo17 April 2021
The majority of people complaining on here are only doing so because of having to pay extra to watch it on Disney+. Just wait until it comes out for free or stop complaining. The story line was compelling, the chemistry between the characters was fantastic, and there was something that both adults and kids could enjoy. A must see for any fantasy fans out there! Any of the reviewers who said their kids found it "boring"... Well, maybe it was the parents' boring attitude towards it that made the kids not watch it...
RAYA WORE ME OUT...!
masonfisk11 January 2023
The latest animated feature from the Mouse House is a typically visually sumptuous ethnic affair (taking place in what looks like Thailand) where a fractured populace (separated into five provinces) is besieged by a force which can turn the inhabitants into stone. What keeps the evil at bay in one province is a magical stone (granted to them by the once teeming dragon population) to protect them. During a reunification attempt between them & the outlining areas (who are stoneless) goes bust (a daughter of one the leaders uses her wiles to trick Raya to take her to the stone only for her steal it where it's then accidentally broken up into pieces). Years later Raya, voiced by Kelly Marie Tran, & her trusty Tuktuk, voiced by Alan Tudyk, roam the lands hoping to reunite all the stones again before the impending evil force engulfs the land & luckily, after successfully acquiring the first piece of the stone revivifies a dragon, voiced by Awkwafina, Raya gets much needed help to succeed in her mission. As usual in most Disney stories, the heroine has abandonment issues (her father was waylaid & turned to stone), the dialogue seems to be written for 21 century characters when the setting belies that fact & touchy/feely aspects of sworn enemies banding together to fight a common foe is straight out of Mickey Mouse's handbook. After scoring w/recent hits like Moana, Wreck-it-Ralph & Zootopia, this feels like a return to bad form for the animation studio w/its over-reliance on quirky speak bordering on annoying rather than endearing keeps derailing the action & mood the film is trying to set. Other voices are provided by Daniel Dae Kim as Raya's dad, Gemma Chan as Raya's nemesis, Benedict Wong as one of Raya's traveling companions, Sandra Oh as Chan's mom & other voices, which include Ross Butler & Sung Kang, round out the other supporting players.
See also
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