Raya and the Last Dragon 2021
Because of Covid, it has been over a year since I saw a movie in a theater, but I finally finished my vaccination and I realized that if I hit a midweek matinee, nobody else will be in the theater anyway. And I did have the theater to myself until just as the movie was starting when a father and daughter came in. I’m glad I saw this movie in the theater because I really enjoyed it and it was enhanced by the better sound and screen size than I have at home. I knew as little as possible about the movie going in, which always helps, but I did know it was getting pretty good reviews and most people who saw it really liked it. It has some formulaic aspects, but I really liked how it played out. It has good complex characters, humor, an interesting story, and some pretty decent action (no singing though). The movie takes place in an ancient place based on Southeast Asia culturally (not really specific to any one place), but with some fantasy elements (dragons and other creatures). What the Hobbit was to Ireland, Raya is to Thailand. The fact that this works so well shows how Disney’s approach to appreciating diversity pays dividends. Instead of boring old knights and princesses, a different kind of story can be told. While not politically preachy, there are some very nice lessons presented about the need for people to get along with each other. I don’t feel like the movie ever dragged and while some things at the ending felt a little forced, everything worked surprisingly well.
Written: 07 May 2021
Owned on: Blu-ray, DVD, Digital