I loved how Raya and Sisu got to explore each land of Kumandra while searching for the Dragon Gem. I’d much rather have a plot that’s “simple” than a story that’s insanely confusing to follow (and for the record, I found this story to be anything but boring!). Some negative reviews say that this plot is “too simple,” but you have to remember that Disney makes movies primarily for children and families. With Sisu’s help, Raya must gather all five Dragon Gem pieces to bring back the other dragons (now turned to stone) and ward off the Druun for good. After six years of searching, Raya finally finds the “last dragon,” Sisu, whom some believed to be just a myth. Each of Kumandra’s five tribes obtains a piece of the Gem before the Druun take over, including Raya. They immediately had me wanting to experience this world-named Kumandra-and its people, which we thankfully got plenty of during the movie’s two-hour running time.Īs Raya continued playing, the main storyline became clear: When the magical Dragon Gem is accidentally shattered due to a young Raya’s mistake, it summons the Druun, shadow-like creatures that turn people to stone. The animation and music in Raya’s opening (as well as the rest of the film) were breathtakingly beautiful and immersive. Speaking of the “main course,” I have to say that I was wholly captivated within the first five seconds of the film. It was such a fun and colorful appetizer to the main course!

I’m not sure if Us Again is included with the fee on Disney+, but there’s another incentive to go with the theater over streaming if it isn’t. When the lights dimmed, we were treated to the short film Us Again before the feature. Ahh…pre-pandemic memories…Īuditorium #2 only had two other families seated inside who were spaced plenty of feet apart, so I felt safe and free to enjoy myself. I remember seeing Frozen II with my friends at the same location and not getting one SEAT during the first showing of the day. I have to admit that it felt amazing to be inside a theater again, even though it was eerily empty. Yeah, I wasn’t a massive fan of that price, so I decided to pay six dollars for a matinee showing at the Huntington 7 instead. Raya and the Last Dragon was released on March 5th to theaters and on Disney+…for a $30 additional fee.

Until I went to see Disney’s newest animated flick, that is. It had been officially over one year since I stepped foot inside a movie theater. I have nothing but positive things to say regarding Disney’s latest release.

Raya and the last dragon movie theater