The Heart clan has long held on to Sisu’s stone, which only continues to stir the ire of the rest of the clans. The region splintered, with each of its five distinct clans breaking off into regions named after the part of the map-dragon they occupy (“Spine,” “Fang,” “Heart,” etc.). But, as is often the case in Disney films, a heroine arose to protect the world: Sisu, the last dragon, who (somehow, more on that later) used her remaining energy to craft a magical gem that vanquished the Druun, saved the formerly stone humans, and appeared to kill her, leaving Kumandra “saved” - but without its beloved dragon protectors. But the arrival of the Druun - dark tornadoes of dread and despair, basically - shook up that seeming happiness, turning any humans who looked upon them to stone and wrecking havoc on the brave dragons who fought to stop them. Centuries ago, Kumandra was a vast, geographically diverse region joined together by its citizens shared love of dragons (heck, the place even looks like a dragon on a map, with every inch of it animated in gorgeous detail). Set in the mythical land of Kumandra - based on Southeast Asia, enough to launch Raya as the Mouse House’s first Southeast Asian princess - “Raya and the Last Dragon” opens with a zippy, time-spanning introduction that encapsulates a millennia of Kumandran history, care of Raya (voiced by the effervescent Kelly Marie Tran). 'Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero' Review: Remarkably, This One's Not Just for the Fansīest True Crime Shows on Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO MaxĮmmy Predictions: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Split 'Succession' Vote Tees Up 'Squid Game'? 'Orphan: First Kill' Review: Isabelle Fuhrman Is Marvelously Deranged in a Prequel That Should Satisfy Fans Plus, a giant pill bug sidekick named Tuk Tuk! And yet what “Raya and the Last Dragon” excels at is joining that (admittedly, very amusing) gag with a rich story about acceptance, found families, and the power of trust. The big joke of “Raya and the Last Dragon” has already been (arguably) spoiled by its marketing: that the eponymous last dragon, a vaunted and mythical figure believed to be the key to healing centuries of strife, is actually kind of a ditzy teenage girl (voiced with awkward perfection by Awkwafina).
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Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada’s “ Raya and the Last Dragon” may not break the Disney Princess mold, but the directing duo - plus screenwriters Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim and a star-packed cast of voice actors - find new ways to evolve the concept, with delightful results.
The usual hallmarks are all there: a mythical land, packs of wondrous creatures, a plucky heroine, a mystery to untangle, and a time-spanning journey that ties all these classic Disney princess story beats up in service to a vivid, emotional animated epic.