Raya and the Last Dragon
Release Date: 4th March 2021 - Australia
Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia
Genre: Animation/Family/
Fantasy
Rating: PG
Runtime: 107 minutes
Budget: $100,000,000
Plot Summary
Long 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
Voice Cast
Kelly Marie Tran - Raya
Awkwafina - Sisu
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
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
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
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 essentially 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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