Despite seeing and hearing a lot of mixed reactions, with the disappointment being strong, this reviewer was still up for seeing 'Raya and the Last Dragon'. Due to being a huge lifelong fan of Disney, especially their 30s-60s work and a vast majority of the Renaissance era. It did become very hit and miss post-'Tarzan', when it hit like with 'Tangled' the results were wonderful. When it missed however, like 'Chicken Little', it was not worthy of the Disney name.
Have also really appreciated how Disney became more diverse over the years, with more exploring of different cultures (like 'Raya and the Last Dragon' does with South East Asia) which have really broadened the horizons. As well as their tackling of bold and more mature themes. 'Raya and the Last Dragon' is not one of Disney's best by any stretch and can understand why there are people disappointed totally. This reviewer actually liked it a lot though on the whole, a few issues but a lot is also done right.
Those things done right are going to be mentioned first. The animation is stunning, with backgrounds that dazzle in their vibrancy and rich attention to detail. James Newton Howard's music score is a beautiful mix of haunting, rousing, melancholic and spirited, with lots of lush orchestration, energetic and atmospheric rhythms and some nice Asian flavour too. The voice acting is fine also, Kelly Marie Tran is absolutely impeccable and Gemma Chan is suitably sinister as Namaari.
While the story is not perfect, it has a good deal of energy, rouses in the beautifully and imaginatively animated action and to me it did have heart. Loved how there was a mix of old and new Disney with its embracing of conventions and loved the cultural element, which was nostalgic, educational and didn't come over as stereotypical. The action excites and the screen blade is really cool. The writing again isn't perfect, with it mostly failing in one crucial component, but it is smart and well meaning with it not coming over as awkward. The titular character is incredibly winning and easy to root for.
'Raya and the Last Dragon' is far from perfect though. To me, it is too safe with not a lot of risk taking and trying to be a little too closely indebted to older Disney conventions rather than doing something new. The pacing can be off, with some of the storytelling later on feeling over-crowded. Especially in the climax, which felt rushed.
Furthermore, the humour mostly does not work. It came over as very forced too often, out of place within the story and dated. Especially with the truly annoying Sisu, a character that there could have been less of to be perfectly honest.
Concluding, a lot to like but could have been better. 7/10.
Have also really appreciated how Disney became more diverse over the years, with more exploring of different cultures (like 'Raya and the Last Dragon' does with South East Asia) which have really broadened the horizons. As well as their tackling of bold and more mature themes. 'Raya and the Last Dragon' is not one of Disney's best by any stretch and can understand why there are people disappointed totally. This reviewer actually liked it a lot though on the whole, a few issues but a lot is also done right.
Those things done right are going to be mentioned first. The animation is stunning, with backgrounds that dazzle in their vibrancy and rich attention to detail. James Newton Howard's music score is a beautiful mix of haunting, rousing, melancholic and spirited, with lots of lush orchestration, energetic and atmospheric rhythms and some nice Asian flavour too. The voice acting is fine also, Kelly Marie Tran is absolutely impeccable and Gemma Chan is suitably sinister as Namaari.
While the story is not perfect, it has a good deal of energy, rouses in the beautifully and imaginatively animated action and to me it did have heart. Loved how there was a mix of old and new Disney with its embracing of conventions and loved the cultural element, which was nostalgic, educational and didn't come over as stereotypical. The action excites and the screen blade is really cool. The writing again isn't perfect, with it mostly failing in one crucial component, but it is smart and well meaning with it not coming over as awkward. The titular character is incredibly winning and easy to root for.
'Raya and the Last Dragon' is far from perfect though. To me, it is too safe with not a lot of risk taking and trying to be a little too closely indebted to older Disney conventions rather than doing something new. The pacing can be off, with some of the storytelling later on feeling over-crowded. Especially in the climax, which felt rushed.
Furthermore, the humour mostly does not work. It came over as very forced too often, out of place within the story and dated. Especially with the truly annoying Sisu, a character that there could have been less of to be perfectly honest.
Concluding, a lot to like but could have been better. 7/10.