Raya and the Last Dragon Review

Raya and the Last Dragon

Release Date: 4th March 2021 - Australia

Production Companies

Walt Disney Pictures

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Animation/Family/

Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 107 minutes

Budget: $100,000,000

Box Office Gross: $130,423,032 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

A long time ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived in harmony. That is until there are monsters, the Druun, that have threatened the very land of its existence,

and the dragons have

sacrificed themselves to

save humanity. Now, 500 years later, the same evil force has returned. To find the last dragon, stop the Druun and restore the fractured land and its divided people, it's up to a young warrior named Raya.

Voice Cast

Kelly Marie Tran - Raya

Awkwafina - Sisu

Gemma Chen - Namaari

Izaac Wang - Boun

Daniel Dae Kim - Benja

Benedict Wong - Tong

Sandra Oh - Virana

Thalia Tran - Little Noi

Lucille Soong - Dang Hu

Alan Tudyk - Tuk Tuk

Dichen Lachman - General Atitaya/Spine Warrior

Patti Harrison - Tail Chief

Jon Park - Chai

Sung Kang - Dang Hai

Sierra Katow - Merchant/Fang Officer

Ross Butler - Spine Chief

François Chau - Wahn

Crew

Story/Directors - Don Hall

and Carlos López Estrada

Story/Co-Directors - Paul Briggs and John Ripa

Based on Story Ideas - Bradley Raymond

Story - Adele Lim and Kiel Murray

Story/Screenplay - Qui Nguyen

Story/Screenplay/

Director: Pre-Production -

Dean Wellins

Executive Producers - Jared

Bush and Jennifer Lee

Producers - Peter Del Vecho

and Osnat Shurer

Kumandran Language

Creator - David J. Peterson

Production Designers - Helen Mingjue Chen, Paul A. Felix and Cory Loftis

Art Directors: Characters - Shiyoon Kim and Ami Thompson

Head of Story - Fawn Veerasunthorn

Additional Story - Dan Abraham, Tom Ellery, Ryan Green, Byron Howard, Mark Kennedy, Natalie Nourigat, Marc E. Smith, Josie Trinidad and

Chris Williams

Director of Cinematography: Layout -

Rob Dressel

Director of Cinematography: Lightning -

Adolph Lusinsky

Production Coordinator: Animation/

Crowds - Nina Rogers

Production Office Manager - Elise Aliberti

Animation Supervisors - Andrew Feliciano,

Jennifer Hager, Mack Kablan, Brian Menz,

Justin Sklar and Vitor Vilela

Heads of Animation - Amy Lawson Smeed

and Malcon Pierce

Head of Characters and Technical Animation -

Carlos Cabral

Simulation Supervisor - Avneet Kaur

Layout Supervisor - Juan E. Hernandez

Head of Effects Animation - Michael Kaschalk

Effects Supervisors - Marc Bryant,

Dale Mayeda and Christopher Hendryx

Visual Effects Supervisor - Kyle Odermatt

Stereoscopic Supervisor - Katie Tucker-Fico

Editors - Fabienne Rawley and

Shannon Stein

Production Supervisors: Editorial -

James Romo and David A. Thibodeau

Head of Post Production - Bérénice Robinson

Sound Designer & Supervising Sound

Editor - Shannon Mills

Co-Sound Designer - Nia Hansen

Original Dialogue/Re-Recording Mixer -

Gabriel Guy

Re-Recording Mixer - David E. Fluhr

Foley Artists - John Roesch and

Shelley Roden

Music - James Newton Howard

Executive Music Producer - Tom MacDougall

Score Recordist - Shawn Murphy

Score Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Review

Made during the lockdown, RAYA AND THE LOST DRAGON premiered simultaneously in both theatres (except in the US, which came out later) and the Disney+ streaming service. I saw it in cinemas rather than afford its Premier access on Disney+. This film reminded me of Avatar the Last Airbender as there are similarities between their Asian-inspired settings, world-building and concepts. It echoed a few Disney animated classics from the past, like Mulan and Moana. Nowadays, people want strong female characters, and the main protagonist is a substantial upgrade to the Disney Princesses. What got me captivated besides the world-building was the perfectly rendered animation. However, it is the comedy that triggers the film's energy. Even the action scenes are thrilling, and the emotion brings resonance and depth.

The message of RAYA AND THE LOST DRAGON, which was its overarching theme, is trust, which proves misguided despite its intention. The characters are the heart and soul of the film. For instance, the titular heroine, Raya, has trust issues yet is sympathetic and headstrong. The dragon Sisu is a spiritual successor to Eddie Murphy's Mushu and Robin Williams' Genie. The other endearing characters include the elusive con-baby Noi, formidable giant Tong and the armadillo-like sidekick, Tuk Tuk. The voice cast is skilful as each actor lent their acting to the characters. Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina are among the leading voice talents and performed excellently in RAYA. James Newton Howard is back on top of Disney after composing Treasure Planet in 2002 and creates a powerful score that provides the perfect backdrop for a mythical fantasy adventure.

RAYA had earned its place as the newest exciting animated feature film from Walt Disney Animation Studios. It is action-heavy and has a timeless story that presents itself in a world with ongoing issues. I highly recommend this film, either watching it on Disney+ or in theatres (depending on session time availability).

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Force of Nature Review

Force of Nature

Release Date: 13th August 2020 - Australia

Production Companies

Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films (EFO Films)

FON Film Production

Capstone Group

Grindstone Entertainment Group

Ingenious

Pimienta

River Bay Films (in association with)

SSS Entertainment (in association with)

Way Down East Entertainment (in association with)

Distribution

Icon Film Distribution

Genre: Action/Thriller

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 91 minutes

Budget: $23,000,000

Box Office Gross: $638,221 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Two police officers are in a dangerous situation fighting greed, nature and the past. A police officer is trying to recover from a tragedy in New York and goes on evac duty with a new partner when a hurricane approaches Puerto Rico. When they arrive at the apartment complex and try to force everyone, a gang of thieves led by John the Baptist begins blasting bodies to get to a

trove of valuable art. A testy

former cop and his daughter

unwillingly conflict as the

police try to maintain

the high ground in the

building that is now a

concrete death trap.

Cast

Emile Hirsch - Cardillo

Mel Gibson - Ray

David Zayas - John

Kate Bosworth - Troy

Stephanie Cayo - Jess

William Catlett - Griffin

Jorge Luis Ramos - Bergkamp

Joksan Ramos - Cruz

Blas Sien Diaz - Migs

Tyler Jon Olson - Dillon

Julio Ramos Velez - Bennie

Sebastian Vázquez - Pride

Jesy McKinney - Babie

Xavier Reyes - Ernesto

Luillo Ruiz - Super Louie Joe

Jasper Polish - Jasmine

Johanna Rosaly - Mrs. Consuelo

Rey Hernandez - Lt. Cummingham

Jerry D. Medina - Chuy

Leslie Emmett - Mrs. Gradisher

Ani Raman - Aaron

Geoff Reeves - Greg

Swen Temmel - Hodges

Crew

Director - Michael Polish

Writer - Cory M. Miller

Executive Producers - Jonathan Baker,

Lee Broda, Barry Brooker, Alastair Burlingham,

Charlie Dombek, Alexander Eckert,

Ted Fox, Landon Gorman, Walter Josten,

Cyril Megret, Christian Mercuri,

Brandon Powers, Diana Principe,

Gary Raskin, Ceasar Richbow,

Luis A. Riefkohl, Timothy C. Sullivan,

Paul Weinberg and Stan Wertlieb

Executive/Line Producer - Bobby Ranghelov

Co-Executive Producer - Ryan Black

Producers - Randall Emmett,

George Furla, Luillo Ruiz,

Shaun Sanghani and Mark Stewart

Co-Producers - Stephen Bailey,

Elizabeth Primm, Marily Reyes

and Belly Torres

Casting Directors - Sheila Jaffe,

Brian Riley and Zoraida Sanjurjo López

Production Designer - Mailara Santana

Art Director - Fernando Carrión

Set Decorator - Pamela Nicolle Padilla

Costume Designer - Ana C. Ramírez Vélez

Director of Photography - Jayson Crothers

Stunt Coordinators - Raul Alcocer

and Daniel Salinas

Special Effects Coordinator - Rafael Perez

Post Production & Visual Effects Supervisor -

Francisco Cueto

Editors - Paul Buhl and Raul Marchand Sanchez

Sound Supervisor - David Kitchens

Supervising Sound Editor/Re-Recording Mixer -

David Barber

Sound Designers - Roland Thai

and Ben Zarai

Music - Kubilay Uner

Music Supervisor - Mike Burns

Review

Due to COVID-19, there have been fewer new films in cinemas, with old ones in limited sessions and a few that I'm interested in seeing. Tenet is one of the movies I preferred, but instead, I watched FORCE OF NATURE, which is not the action flick I expected. The plot is predictable with an unrealistic and confusing storyline and lacks lustre. The movie feels similar to a film I did not see called Hurricane Heist. One reviewer claims that the plot of FORCE OF NATURE is like Die Hard in a hurricane, which explains the scenario. Indie director Michael Polish is someone that I'm unfamiliar with watching his movies. He happens to be married to actress Kate Bosworth, the film's leading lady.

I am pleasantly surprised that Emile Hirsch is still going, and he's in the lead role of a film that barely suits his talents. He's looking so bored playing a troubled character. I've seen Mel Gibson in his better days when his post-Lethal Weapon years are behind him, and his role as a retired cop looks all washed up. Neither Kate Bosworth nor Stephanie Gayo are that good in their performances.

While it's far from a disappointment, it wasn't the action-packed movie I'd been expecting. FORCE OF NATURE remains a relatively quiet experience that has no impact on moviegoers. This film deserves to be forgettable in favour of other action features with much better plots and fight sequences.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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