[Review] Raya And The Last Dragon (7/10)

 

Title - Raya And The Last Dragon
Studio - Walt Disney Animation Studios

Starring - Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Daniel Dae Kim, Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, Benedict Wong, Alan Tudyk, Sandra Oh
Writer - Qui Nguyen, Adele Lim
Director - Don Hall, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Paul Briggs, John Ripa
Release - 12 March 2021

While it was fun to see references to Southeast Asia in a Disney property, what with the locales and food and names, but things like fan service doesn't a the movie.

At the end, it was still a Disney animated movie that's more about developing its characters and relationships with others in its story. So if you're looking for more representation as an Asian, there's none. But the movie on its own has heart, even though the story is a rehash of so many others that has come before it.

Is Raya worthy of the Disney princess title? Definitely. She reminds me of Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. She's a very fleshed out character that has to go through trials and tribulations. But, luckily, unlike Rey, she has a much better character arc with her Ben Solo of this movie, Namaari (even though it's a rehash of so many others that has come before it).

One thing I don't understand is why there has to be four directors to this one movie. And to make a guess, Southeast Asia was never intended initially as a setting or a backdrop. And somewhere in the middle of production, Disney decided to venture into this part of the world because it seemed appropriate for the story, which I have no arguments there. 

Two out of the four are experienced directors. The other two not so much. So I have to guess that the parts of the movie where the direction were really weak, making the plot point unclear, are from the lesser experienced two. 

Then again, it could be the writing. It's never mentioned why the dragons were back in the end, because Sisu did the same thing in the beginning and that had no effect. 

It's a solid entry to the Disney pantheon but, let's call it what it is, or isn't - it's no Pixar.