Review | Raya and the Last Dragon movie review: Disney animation inspired by Southeast Asian culture
- This story of a warrior princess trying to save her land takes inspiration from Southeast Asian culture, with input from anthropologists
- However, his is no cultural appropriation – unless you count the shameless references to the Indiana Jones movies
3.5/5 stars
The first original Walt Disney Animation in nearly five years, Raya and the Last Dragon is set in a realm known as Kumandra – a reimagined version of our world heavily inspired by Southeast Asian culture.
If this might have some up in arms about a Hollywood studio once again trampling into another continent for a swift bit of cultural appropriation, it’d be an unfair accusation.
Disney’s Southeast Asian Story Trust, a coalition of anthropologists and other specialists, led the scrupulous research for the project, while Thai-born Fawn Veerasunthorn (Moana) is credited as head of story.
It means this brightly hued fantasy comes with a feeling of authenticity, rather than being just another cartoon cranked out to appeal to the Asian market.