Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
★★★ — Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Raya and the Last Dragon arrived in March 2021 under unusual circumstances, released simultaneously to cinemas and Disney+ Premier Access as the pandemic continued to disrupt theatrical exhibition, which likely explains a box office return that fell well short of typical Disney Animation expectations. The film marked the solo feature debut of Carlos López Estrada (who had made the well-regarded indie Blindspotting in 2018) alongside Don Hall, a Disney veteran who had co-directed Big Hero 6. Notably, it was the first Walt Disney Animation Studios production to centre on Southeast Asian culture, drawing on the art, mythology, and landscapes of countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines, with a cultural consultant team brought in during development to guide the process.
Raya and the Last Dragon is a visually stunning film, easily one of Disney’s most beautiful animated features. The world of Kumandra is rich with detail, blending Southeast Asian cultures into lush landscapes, intricate costumes, and fluid, dynamic action sequences. The animation, especially in the water, magic, and dragon movements, is breathtaking, and Awkwafina brings playful energy as Sisu, the goofy, optimistic dragon who may be humanity’s last hope. The ambition is there: a story about trust, fractured kingdoms, and healing after generations of division. Raya herself is a strong, capable heroine on a quest to reunite a broken world. But for all its strengths, the film never quite reaches its full potential. The plot feels familiar (chosen one, magical quest, band of misfits) and moves through beats without much surprise or emotional depth. The voice acting is fine, but not memorable; Awkwafina’s performance leans heavily on her usual quirks, and Kelly Marie Tran, while sincere as Raya, is given dialogue that often feels flat or overly earnest. It could have been fantastic, a true cultural milestone with a gripping story to match its beauty, but it settles for being solid rather than spectacular. The themes are important, the visuals are award-worthy, but the execution lacks the heart and originality of Disney’s best. Beautiful to look at, enjoyable while it lasts, but ultimately more style than soul. A missed opportunity wrapped in dazzling animation. Worth watching, just don’t expect magic.
Rating: ★★★ | Year: 2021 | Watched: 2025-10-10
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: Disney Plus
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK
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Related on Movies With Macca
More from Don Hall: Winnie the Pooh (2011)
More from the 2020s: Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain (2024) · Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II - The Ashes of Rage (2025) · The Long Walk (2025) · Americana (2023)
More animation: Fantastic Planet (1973) · Alice in Wonderland (1951) · Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain (2024) · Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II - The Ashes of Rage (2025)
More action: A Better Tomorrow (1986) · The General (1926) · Hand of Death (1976) · Daredevil (2003)
