Raya and the last dragon review roundup

Since we first learnt of Raya and the Last Dragon and had it listed as one of our most anticipated animated films of 2020, a lot had happened. The film got 2 delays, a change of lead voices actress, 2 additional directors, and the arrival of a tiny little global pandemic to top it all off. But that's all in the past, and the film is gearing up for its big debut this week on Disney+. So, how did it fair critically? Here's the roundup:  

THE GAURDIAN 
'As with any form of quest narrative, there’s a familiar formula at play and as with any, especially latter-day, Disney animation, there’s a lurch toward the heartstrings in the finale. While some of the beats might be a little too predictable and while the emotional wallop at the end might be more of a gentle tap, Raya and the Last Dragon works for the most part, a charming, sweet-natured YA-leaning adventure that acts as proof that Disney needs to focus on moving forward rather than continuing to look back.'

For the full review please visit here.

DEN OF GEEK
'For me, Raya and the Last Dragon is the most exciting Disney Princess story since Mulan. It gives us fiercely kind and incredibly flawed characters who care about healing a broken world and a setting that recognizes there is beauty and value outside of European castle towns. It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s something incredibly special that feels like a step forward for the Disney Princess canon.'

For the full review please visit here.

THE WRAP
'There’s neither a love story nor musical numbers here, and neither are missed; this is a film brimming over with humor and adventure, breathtaking fight choreography and eye-popping fantasy. (These dragons come in every color of the rainbow, and they’re fuzzy rather than scaly.) That Disney has gotten to a place where it can accommodate complex storytelling, characters of color (the voice cast also includes Sandra Oh, Sung Kang and Patti Harrison) and women with strength and agency makes “Raya and the Last Dragon” both a groundbreaker for one of Hollywood’s most venerable animation studios and, one hopes, a harbinger of more challenging entertainments in the years to come.'

For the full review please visit here.

ROGER EBERT
'“Raya and the Last Dragon” could have been a traditional princess story—another tale of a young woman chosen by legacy or magic to save her people. It’s not that movie. It’s a story about fallibility and the uncertainty that often accompanies courage—wrapped up in an unforgettable narrative that pays homage to mythology that has come before while creating its own past, present, and future. Many films have felt dismissed because of the closure of theaters in the last year, not getting the attention that may have resulted from normal times. “Raya and the Last Dragon” is the kind of movie I wish I could have experienced in a crowded theater, but it’s also one that I’m certain won’t be lost to history and will find its audience. It’s too good not to.'

 For the full review please visit here.

VARIETY
'A lot of the storytelling is clumsy, rushed or inelegant, but the movie’s timely message of unity and trust still resonates because the filmmakers figured out such a satisfying ending — albeit one that ties things up a little too neatly: so much world-building in service of a one-off. Is this overloaded origin story really the last we’ll see of “The Last Dragon”?'

For the full review please visit here.

IGN  (VIDEO REVIEW)

In the end, the film amassed a staggering critical score of 96% from 97 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. When we first learnt of this project a few year's ago, we knew it would be special. The friendly internal rivalry between Disney Animations and Pixar rages on with Luca stepping up next to bat. Disney+ is looking more and more enticing as the days go by. 

RAYA & THE LAST DRAGON WILL COST YOU ALOT ON DISNEY+

FIRST LOOK AT PIXAR'S LUCA

2021 MOST ANTICIPATED ANIMATED FILMS