Criticism of Raya and the last dragon

Raya and the last dragon represents an important step for Walt Disney animation studios.The pangs of COVVI-19 having had an impact on the entire film industry, the last home animation feature is also the first to distance, with more than 900 teleworkers animating, doubling and post-production from their home.

The result ?We could find extenuating circumstances to fly to the aid of the Disney classic 59th animation.But Raya and the last dragon does not need it, it is a superproduction that can stand in front of the 1998 Mulan or the 2016 Vaiana without blushing.If the story is much darker and darker than its elders, the realization always brings us back to light, just like these new characters who are among the most touching and inclusive of Disney mythology.

Raya and the last dragon takes place in a kingdom plagued by an endless clans war.500 years before today, humans lived there peacefully alongside the Dragons, but the emergence of the Druun - an enigmatic force born of darkness - will break harmony and freeze into the surrounding stone.While dragons courageously try to stop the threat, the most intrepid of them - Sisu (interpreted by Awkwafina) - saves humanity at the expense of its own species.

Without the wisdom of the dragons to guide them, the survivor men were detacted.When a few generations later, the scourge reappears, a recluse warrior (Raya, doubled by Kelly Marie Tran, the alter ego of Rose Tico in the ultimate Star Wars trilogy) is looking to find Sisu, alone capable of stopping thePure evil.

A breathtaking staging of authenticity

With meticulous and scrupulously respected specifications, Raya and the last dragon is no exception to the rule of excellence of Disney animation classics.The realization admirably marries traditional 2D sequences (evoking the past of the kingdom of Kumandra) and 3D modeling being proof of the studios since the previous decade.Special mention to the water animation effects, impressive upgrading of those designed for Vaiana's needs five years ago.Given the importance of water as a source of life in the culture of Southeast Asia, it was necessary to ensure that the flow, the ferocity and the reflections of each aquatic plan jump to the retina.Successful mission.

More generally, Disney has made it a point of honor to reproduce with meticulous authenticity all the cultural sections of this region of the world.The combat styles adopted by Raya and his opponent Namaari (Gemma Chan), such as Le Pencak Silat and Muay Thai find their roots in Malaysia and Thailand, respectively.Clothes, architecture, gastronomy (you will come out of viewing with a furious desire to simmer a Tom Yum Thai soup) or the rules of decency permeate here every second of the feature film.

This testifies to Disney's efforts to promote inclusiveness in its fictitious universes.At each of Raya's production stages and the last dragon, the company constantly needed the approval of the "Southeast Asian Story Trust" - a committee composed of Disney experts and employees residing or having roots in Asiasoutheast.

A classic sometimes, but which transgresses certain points

This does not mean that Raya and the last dragon is free from defects.The film was mainly criticized for its American-centered casting, a terrible return of a stick for the desire for representation already mentioned above.Fortunately, the headliners manage to impose themselves by a sober and moving game - we will come back later - but Disney's clumsiness remains inlaid.

Also deplore, the humor touches are provided with droppings in Raya and the last dragon.There are a few scenes where we will laugh, some others to smile, however the overall atmosphere of the film is dark.The drawing of a humanity working on its own loss is heavy, particularly in this year 2021 always struck by the pandemic brand.

If the comic starts of the work do not monopolize the screen, the composition of the actors, it wants to be stunning.The dialogues between Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina are neat, the juxtaposition between the cynical vision of the world of Raya and the optimism of Sisu works wonderfully.The “sidekicks” never hang out in the background, Alan Tudyk masterfully giving life to Tuk Tuk, the mid-tatou companion, Mi-Tout or Raya, which should supplant Baby Yoda / Grogu on the devalted shelves of stuffed animals in 2021.

Unlike most original Disney, Raya and the last dragon productions does not offer any musical number.It will be a disappointment - or a relief - for some, but the absence of a song that will haunt you in the shower for weeks does not hinder the intrigue.And the musical themes of James Newton Howard weigh enough to carry all the emotional scenes like the action sequences.

The latter are summed up with a few remarkable choreographed battles and rather expeditious chases.The most unforgettable is in the last minutes of the film where discharge of adrenaline and waves of emotions rub shoulders beautifully, leaving us on a feeling of satisfaction.That of having been entitled to a new Sublime Disney tale, with a less playful epilogue however.

To conclude...

Raya and the latest dragon uses Disney's proven formula to tell a fascinating story, although shot.His attempt at cultural representation reaches most of the time his goal but, although there is much to appreciate in the last animated film of the firm of Mickey, some spectators could feel slightly frustrated by his lack of songs, D'Humor and long action sequences.

Do not zap however, because it is here the emotional nucleus of the feature film which constitutes its greatest attraction.You will not find a hero or a heroine flagships that you identify but plethora of characters that shine together.Basically (and sometimes in form, thank you 2D revals), Raya and the last dragon reminds us of the golden age of the 90s, with semi-maters' stories like that of the Lion King.His message pushes the moral cursor a little further, and some parents will still think that he will lose younger spectators.Rest assured, the film has enough magic to take away all audiences, it is also advised from 6 years old.

Raya and the last dragon was released in international cinemas and on Disney Plus, on March 5.In France, it will be necessary to wait until June 4 to discover it on the streaming platform - without additional cost.