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After the year we’ve had, we could all use a hero—or maybe a magical dragon that can take everything that’s gone sideways in the world and fight to fix it. But until we find that hero—or that magical dragon—Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon offers a little bit of laughter and maybe even a little bit of hope.
Raya and the Last Dragon sets out to save the realm of Kumandra with a young warrior named Raya (Kelly Marie Tran). Hundreds of years ago, the people of Kumandra lived in peace with each other and with the dragons that lived among them. But when monsters called the Druun threatened life in the realm, the dragons sacrificed themselves for the humans. Now, the Druun have returned, and Raya, daughter of the chief of one of the five warring lands of Kumandra, is determined to find the last remaining dragon to save them once more.
In recent years, Disney has made a clear effort to strengthen their female characters. They’re no longer helpless princesses, waiting for a prince to rescue them. And while Raya is a kind of princess who cares deeply about her land and her loved ones, she’s also smart and determined—a skilled young warrior who’s always prepared for battle. Still, despite her willingness to fight for what’s important to her, the message that works its way into the film is one of peace and cooperation.
As Raya travels from one enemy land to another, she finds unlikely allies in each one—until she ends up traveling with a boat full of random characters who are quick to overlook their differences and join together. Reluctantly, Raya learns that she can’t do everything on her own—and she has to learn to trust other people, no matter how different they may seem. It’s the kind of message that we need right now—the kind that will leave viewers with a warm, fuzzy, hopeful feeling.
There’s definitely a lot going on in this film. There’s a lot of background to dive into even before the adventure begins. There are different lands with different styles. There are so many characters, too—with more joining in at every step of the way. That makes it an incredibly busy film—but an entertaining one, too.
Raya and the Last Dragon has a little bit of everything to offer: action, drama, and plenty of laughs—all in a mystical setting. At times, it feels overcrowded—and maybe a little messy, too. But viewers of all ages will find themselves caught up in the hopeful story of this strong, determined heroine and her magical misfit dragon.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
