Raya and the Last Dragon
The brief
Disney's latest animated epic feels like a gorgeous Southeast Asian-inspired fever dream that moves at breakneck speed through stunning landscapes and martial arts sequences. Kelly Marie Tran brings genuine warmth to Raya while Awkwafina's dragon Sisu lands every comedic beat without feeling forced, creating an oddly touching buddy dynamic. The world-building is incredibly rich but the pacing barely gives you time to breathe, cramming a lot of mythology and character development into scenes that zip by. Perfect for anyone who loved the adventure scope of Moana but wanted more sword fights and less singing.
The verdict
If you love visually stunning animated adventures with rich world-building and fast-paced martial arts action, this is a gorgeous Southeast Asian-inspired epic that delivers spectacular animation and genuine heart. If you prefer slower-paced storytelling that gives you time to absorb complex mythology, the breakneck speed might leave you feeling rushed through what could have been a deeper experience.
Watch with
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect family adventure night
- 👥 Great for action-loving friends
- ⚠️ Might be too intense for very young kids
Heads up
- Fantasy violence and sword fighting (moderate)
- Characters turned to stone (potentially scary) (moderate)
- Themes of loss and sacrifice (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Don Hall
- Cast
- Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Alan Tudyk, Izaac Wang, Benedict Wong, Daniel Dae Kim
Official synopsis
Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Brother Bear (2003)
Both animated tales of spiritual transformation through bonds with mystical creatures.
Total runtime: 1h 47m + 1h 25m = 3h 12m
