Disney, like other companies, has faced pressure to release both a significant amount of material and content meeting a certain standard. It seemed there was a demand for something original within the Disney catalog, moving beyond remakes of older properties, and I think Raya offered a positive moment for them. The way they managed to keep the familiar, appropriate tone for families while still creating animation tha…

It's wonderful to witness how animated movies are progressing, and “Raya and the Last Dragon” is another example of a film that reimagines the traditional Disney heroine in a fresh and appealing way. This fantasy / adventure story boasts imaginative characters, gorgeous animation, and an authentic portrayal of Asian mythology. It’s a truly excellent movie across the board. A long time ago, in the imaginary realm o…

Walt Disney Animation Studios seems to have regained some footing with 'Raya and the Last Dragon'. It’s evident that the studio has faced challenges in establishing a consistent identity over the last couple of decades, likely influenced by shifts in management and increased competition. However, this film represents the type of project where they truly shine – an engaging and thrilling story centered on a well-defin…

Disney acquired Pixar in 2006, and because so many excellent animated films have come out under both studios' names, it can be hard to tell them apart. The latter released two movies just last year (Onward, Soul), while the former’s most recent original film was Moana from 2016. So, there was a lot of excitement for a new movie from the studio behind classics like Aladdin, The Lion King, Mulan, and more recently, the…

Kumandra is an enchanted place where humans and dragons lived together peacefully. However, when monstrous creatures called Druun appear and threaten to destroy everything, the dragons unite their power to defeat them—but in doing so, all but one dragon disappears. The new Disney animated film “Raya and the Last Dragon” introduces us to Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), who explains that the world is now broken and places …