Raya and the Last Dragon is a modern Disney masterpiece that deserves more recognition. The animated movie was among the first Disney films released during the global pandemic, and it’s still dealing with the impact of its staggered launch in theaters and on streaming. Although release went ahead in March 2021, Raya and the Last Dragon‘s initial release date was postponed as a result of the pandemic.
Despite this, Raya and the Last Dragon welcomes a new world of warriors and takes us on a journey through the depths of Southeast Asian culture. Raya and the Last Dragon truly stands apart from Disney’s usual fare, proving that original stories can always outshine retellings and the recent list of live-action remakes.
The end of Raya and the Last Dragon intentionally leaves some plot points unresolved. This isn’t unusual, as the possibility of a sequel is never guaranteed in the film industry. However, for a film so highly regarded by audiences and critics on Rotten Tomatoes and beyond, Disney’s modern masterpiece receives surprisingly little attention.
Raya & the Last Dragon Was Met With Great Critical Response
Raya & the Last Dragon Is A Hidden Gem In Disney’s Extensive Catalog
Raya and the Last Dragon was remarkably well-received by critics during its release in 2021. Praised mostly for its animation and Southeast Asian representation, the film successfully captivated viewers across all age groups. Based upon 305 reviews from the site, Raya and the Last Dragon received 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, firmly securing it at the upper end of the Certified Fresh label.
One top critic for the site, Sara Michelle Fetters (via Movie Freak), commented, “My heart was touched, and all I wanted to do when this picture came to an end was watch it again from the beginning.” Most other reviews echo this sentiment, highlighting the film’s ambitious world-building and its narrative exploration of a culture.
Though initially neglected, the film has since been recognized as one of Disney’s most underrated movies, proving its quality with an Academy Award nomination coupled with excellent reviews. Despite competing with another Disney film, Raya and the Last Dragon earned a Best Animated Feature nomination at the 94th Academy Awards in 2022, though Encanto ultimately won the accolade.
Encanto Coming Out In The Same Year Meant Audiences Overlooked Raya & the Last Dragon
Encanto Greatly Outperformed Raya & the Last Dragon
Despite releasing eight months later, Encanto‘s performance considerably outpaced Raya and the Last Dragon‘s in all regards. Encanto appeared to resonate more with global audiences because it had a stronger focus on family, with a multi-generational dynamic and a broad range of personalities in Encanto for viewers to identify with. This resulted in a movie with a far more relatable, yet unconventional, narrative.
The primary edge Encanto had over Raya and the Last Dragon was its musical format. Given Lin-Manuel Miranda’s involvement, Encanto was inherently poised for success, especially after the sensation of Moana just five years earlier. Encanto‘s story heavily relied on the power of music, a stark contrast to Raya and the Last Dragon, which was an action-driven film without songs.
|
Disney Movie From 2021 |
RT Critic Score |
RT Audience Score |
Domestic Box Office |
Worldwide Box Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Raya and the Last Dragon |
93% |
97% |
$54.7 million |
$130.4 million |
|
Encanto |
92% |
93% |
$96,093,622 |
$261,284,192 |
That being said, the two films explored very similar themes of belonging with a strong female lead. Ultimately, Raya and the Last Dragon and Encanto explored the same concepts from different angles, producing work that expertly captivates audiences. Unfortunately, following Encanto‘s phenomenal reception, Raya and the Last Dragon appears to have had a less memorable or lasting impact.
Raya & the Last Dragon Is A Perfect Disney Story
Raya & the Last Dragon Is A Perfect Blend Of Everything That Makes A Disney Film Great
Disney has consistently refined the elements that make its films successful and popular. Disney has consistently placed talking animals at the core of its films, finding this to be a consistently strong and popular element. Raya and the Last Dragon is certainly no exception, with Sisu as one of its protagonists, a dragon who is able to transform in and out of human form.
This Disney film masterfully leverages the crucial, strong bond between its two main characters, a common aid in this genre, to create an exceptionally compelling plot.
Not only this, but throughout Raya and the Last Dragon, the filmmakers expertly maintain adventure as the primary focus. This was vital to the film as Raya embarks on a quest to restore the fractured land, Kumandra. This Disney film masterfully leverages the crucial, strong bond between its two main characters, a common aid in this genre, to create an exceptionally compelling plot.
What’s more, Raya and the Last Dragon continues to move away from Disney’s classic princess traditions. A romantic arc is absent from Raya’s story, despite her otherwise fulfilling many Disney princess qualifications. This helps sharpen the main narrative, showcasing Raya and the Last Dragon‘s powerful storytelling. Raya’s imperfections are essential, as they drive her growth and learning, ultimately making the story more impactful.
The Cast, Animation Style & Score Of Raya & the Last Dragon Are All Great
Raya & the Last Dragon Has Some Superb Visuals
The trailer for Raya and the Last Dragon instantly mesmerized audiences with its stunning animation and visuals. You can’t help but notice the movie’s highly detailed character designs, and the effectively subtle handling of intricate movements, including water and hair. A feast for the eyes, Raya and the Last Dragon is a unique addition to Disney’s animated features.
The soundtrack for Raya and the Last Dragon was composed by James Newton Howard, who has collaborated on The Hunger Games series.
Even without musical numbers, the film’s emotive score was a crucial element in conveying its story. The soundtrack features some of Disney’s most catchy songs. It was composed by James Newton Howard, who has collaborated on The Hunger Games series. The score was instrumental in enriching the emotional journey and igniting the adventurous atmosphere, which I found to be particularly striking in the film.
Disney’s modern masterpiece also features an exceptional voice cast, who have participated in a number of other huge franchises and projects. The film’s lead, Raya, is voiced by Kelly Marie Tran. The actress is perhaps best known for her role in the Star Wars sequels, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, Rose Tico.
Raya & the Last Dragon Is Ripe For A Sequel It’ll Probably Never Get
The Future For Raya & the Last Dragon Does Not Look Promising
With Raya and the Last Dragon being just as impressive as any other Disney movie, it is the ideal franchise to revive. While not every movie needs a sequel, this one has great potential with a vast and detailed story. Raya may have restored peace, but a continuation of the story could easily explore the difficult beginnings or consequences of the newfound peace.
Raya and the Last Dragon‘s story was arguably better suited to a standalone format.
Even though the feature left many questions unanswered and is a strong candidate for a follow-up, a sequel appears doubtful. However, Raya and the Last Dragon‘s story was arguably better suited to a standalone format. Given Disney’s rapid production of live-action films, it’s possible this movie was overlooked for a sequel, though it more likely got lost in their vast collection.
Source: Movie Freak
