I know it’s been a couple weeks since Raya and the Last Dragon was released in select theatres and on Disney+, but I wanted to take the time to properly absorb the movie and the fact that we HAVE ANOTHER DISNEY PRINCESS!
Full disclosure, in the first 10 minutes, I stopped the film twice out of boredom and thought “really – is this the 2021 Disney movie we’ve all been waiting for?”. But thank goodness I stuck it out the third try and persevered to minute 25 when Sisu – voiced by the hilarious Awkwafina – FINALLY appears!
Quick synopsis of the movie for those who haven’t watched yet: Monsters threaten the land of Kumandra – where humans and dragons live together in harmony. The dragons work to save humainty, but humanity wrecks everything by not sharing and playing together nicely. So now it’s up to Raya, and the last dragon – Sisu – to finally stop those monsters.
So, lots of morals and (not-so) hidden themes about getting along, working together, trusting each other and being nice – typical Disney things we have come to expect. BUT with Awkwafina in the picture, the movie is as much for adults as it is for kids. With her hilarious Awkwafina style of comedy, Sisu entertains while Raya learns some tough, insightful and timely lessons during the course of the film. This movie is cute and funny – if you make it past the first 25 minutes – but worth watching for Awkwafina fans out there.
And since I’m on the topic of Awkwafina, I will also plug one of my favorite shows OF ALL TIME – Awkwafina is Nora from Queens. This show aired just before Coronavirus hit the globe, so I have had it on my “feel good list” alllllll during 2020. The show follows a Awkwafina – Nora – a 20 something woman trying to find her way in the world, trying to make money, get her “car our of jail” and move out of her dad’s house. And it just keeps getting better and better! I have probably watched this 10 episode season over 20 times, and it is clever and seriously funny!
The Chatty Enthusiast 