Raya and the Last Dragon

THE GIST: Raya has been trained by her father to protect a dragon's magic gem that a long time ago saved the realm from an invading dark force. When a dispute ends up breaking the gem, the dark force shows up again, and all Raya can do is trust that a legend about a surviving last dragon is actually true.

Raya and the Last Dragon is a really good addition to the Disney canon, as far as female heroines are concerned.

The film is also quite original, which nowadays is a rarity, when so many animated movies are simply rehashing previous plots with a few aesthetic changes.

The animation is absolutely magnificent, and Awkwafina, who plays the dragon, is fantastically adorable. As far as I'm concerned, she improves every movie she's in.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely recommended for families but also for animation fans in general. A really good movie.

Grade: 8