Raya and the Last Dragon: My guilty pleasure is a wasted concept

Introduction

We all know those movies we know aren't cinematic masterpieces, but we secretly adore them anyway. For me, one of them is Disney's "Raya and the Last Dragon." Launched on Disney+, this animated adventure, set in a world inspired by Southeast Asian cultures, quickly found a quirky little corner in my heart, despite the mixed reactions it received from the fandom.

The movie follows Raya, a determined warrior princess, on her quest to find the last dragon and restore harmony to her fractured kingdom. It's a journey filled with vibrant visuals and important themes about unity and the consequences of environmental damage. While some may draw comparisons to "Moana," "Raya" possesses its cookie-cutter particular charm, and yes, its flaws. It’s a familiar formula, but there lies some limited potential that makes you question whether this is a cookie-cutter Disney princess story or if there is something more significant to be discovered.

Here's the thing: "Raya" is the kind of movie that I know probably isn't going to land on a "best of" list. It's undeniably uneven, and honestly, it does make me ask the question:

Why is Raya, a character with all the makings of a memorable protagonist, ultimately so forgettable?

Raya is charismatic, thoughtfully culturally represented, wise, and burdened by a past that begs reflection. She has a clear purpose, faces daunting obstacles, and embodies a strong feminist ideal. Yet, her development throughout the film feels frustratingly limited. Her emotional arc isn’t very deep, and for me, at least, it fails to create a strong connection with the audience. Raya often feels like a vessel for the story, her emotions pushed aside to prioritize the plot, with particular plot points being replaced by other concepts instead.

What’s worse, the supporting characters often outshine her. Sisu, the titular last dragon, is a comedic force of nature. Her charm, humor, and joyful approach to life steal the spotlight, diminishing Raya’s overall impact. You have to wonder if the creators were fully aware of the disparity between the two characters and if this was a conscious choice. Other secondary characters, like the survivors we meet across Kumandra, are compelling and full of tragedy and motivation.

This brings me to the central question: What about the plot?

The narrative follows the well-worn path of the hero embarking on a quest to find a lost artifact and restore balance to the world. Critics rightfully point out this structure is predictable, lacking the "wow" moments or plot twists that could have elevated "Raya" above the usual animated fare.

The young, masked antagonist, while understandable in her motivations, feels somewhat underdeveloped and poses little genuine threat to Raya's mission. The story's complexity is often sacrificed for a straightforward narrative, which means Raya rarely seems truly in peril. These are valid criticisms.

But here's where my guilt kicks in: I enjoy that familiarity. I find comfort in knowing the beats of the story. It’s like revisiting a cozy blanket; I know what to expect, and that predictability has a certain appeal. Even the character of Raya doesn’t always have to be deeply troubled or have tons of insecurities. Sometimes, a simple, good, unwavering hero who travels from point A to B without significant inner crisis is just what the soul needs.

And then there's the cultural aspect. I’m captivated by the way modern films, like “Raya,” are taking the time to explore cultures and traditions without resorting to tired stereotypes. The film is a love letter to Southeast Asia, drawing inspiration from Cambodia and its neighbors like Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia. It's a visually stunning journey into these vibrant cultures.

However, this is where the film's ambition becomes its weakness, at least for a non-native audience. The film's enthusiastic use of Asian proverbs, phrases, and symbolism, while authentic and commendable, sometimes leaves the viewer scrambling to keep up. I confess to pausing frequently to Google the meanings of specific words and cultural references. There's a fine line between immersing an audience in a rich culture and overwhelming them with so much new information that it distracts from the narrative flow. For some, this may have been a significant barrier to full immersion.

Is the reason it's 'bad' because it has a nepobaby as director?

The answer is... NO!!!! At times, a concept had a good idea of ​​being a story about shocking themes and plot twists, but it was not to be.

Despite its promising concept and the passion of its director, Carlos López Estrada, who is the son of Carla Estrada, the most important Mexican television director since the 80s, considered a nepobaby. But let us remember that there are also children of celebrities with natural talent who are capable of expanding a legacy.

The Estradas are no exception, and López has developed in the audiovisual world, directing music videos, commercials, and plays abroad. His style is characterized by high expectations for his leap into film directing, especially in Mexico, where he was received with enthusiasm. However, the reality was a little more complicated. Although the film had good intentions, the studio that hired it limited the shoot, preventing López Estrada from fully exploring his artistic vision. striking visual elements with humor and a penchant for unexpected twists, as seen in his work for artists such as Jesse and Joy, Capital Cities, Billie Eilish, and Katy Perry.

Expectations for his leap into film directing were high, especially in Mexico, where he was received with enthusiasm. However, the reality was a little more complicated. Although the film had good intentions, the shoot was limited by the studio that hired it, preventing López Estrada from fully exploring his artistic vision.

He also explained that he did not want a happy ending as shown in the film. Just like in his music videos, Carlos wanted a moment that would hit his audience hard. In this case, Sisu was going to die, but unlike the ending we saw in the film, her death was going to be stronger, and she was not going to come back to life. In addition to showing black-and-white war flashbacks with 2D scenes that would show more than just the background. But in addition to this, her dragon siblings, who were turned to stone, would stay that way throughout the film. Thus giving a bittersweet ending and an even more powerful impact on the audience.

What made you see this as a special film (and a guilty pleasure)?

Although it was not what I expected, it was a film my mother and I enjoyed. When we saw Carlos' name, we were pleased that Carla's legacy was spreading to more countries.

Obviously, it didn't take long to recognize her cinematic signature, which is scenes with lots of color and action and emotional scenes that make us fall in love with the other characters. The movie was full of color and action and took us to the vibrant world of Kumandra. The fight scenes were dynamic and impeccably choreographed, keeping the tension at all times. Beyond the action, the movie shows us a natural relationship between Raya and Sisu.

Watching the Behind the Scenes procedure, I knew that Raya was more than just another Disney animated movie, which, although it wasn't the best, was enjoyable and reminded me of a more childlike version of "Avatar: The Last Airbender." Even more, recognizing the talent of its voice actors and the respect that the production team put into giving the Asian voice actors the ability to put in puns that only they understand. Its message of trust and the importance of unity resonated with my mother and me.

Conclusion:

Although it may not be the best Disney animated film, 'Raya and the Last Dragon' was a pleasant journey that allowed us to share special moments. Carla Estrada's legacy, combined with Carlos' vision and the creative team's talent, gave us a magical world with a lot of meaning behind it.

My last articles:

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https://m.peliplat.com/en/article/10037451/I'm-Tim:-The-Human-Side-of-the-DJ,-Avicii

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https://www.peliplat.com/en/article/10037444/I'm-Tim:-El-Lado-Humano-del-DJ,-Avicii