Author Spotlight
Emma Brown
Warning: spoilers ahead
“Raya and the Last Dragon”
When I heard about the new Disney princess movie, I was intrigued to see what creativity was in-store for this year. With my extra-buttered and salted bowl of popcorn and Disney Plus account ready, I was set to watch “Raya and the Last Dragon.”
As seen in every Disney movie ever Raya’s storyline starts out with a tragedy.
Raya lives in the fantasy world of Kumandra where humans and dragons once lived together in harmony. However, when monsters that turn people to stone, known as the Druun threaten her land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned, and it’s up to her to track down the last dragon and stop the Druun for good.
Raya fights off the Drunn, as well as other people trying to track down the last dragon before her, to unite Kumandra like her father had always wished. The movie’s intense scenes of swordplay and hand-to-hand combat give it a tougher, more grown-up feel than most Disney animated films.
If Disney was going for a princess movie set for the demographic of younger kids, I think they missed a step. There was way too much dialogue, using terms like “dystopian” that a younger audiences might not comprehend. However, the more mature plot and action was perfect for teens like me, looking for a good movie that can still give the princess movie and wonderland-vibe we miss from our childhood movies. Every once in a while there was an action packed two minute scene, but the rest of the movie consisted of more relaxed dialogue scenes narrated by Raya.
When I crave that Disney nostalgia for a night, I want a Prince Charming, evil stepmother or birds singing with Snow White. This movie held none of that.
There were some sarcastic bits and pieces thrown in to shine some humor in the intense movie, but they didn’t do much for me, and I don’t think a younger kid would pick up on it or appreciate it either.
There was no love interest or singing and dancing. The movie solely consisted of warrior tactics, but nothing else. It was an animated action movie with hints of drama to spice it up and reveal its cliche theme: trust is everything.
This movie is being sold at a premium level on Disney Plus for $30, although I can’t say it’s worth the hefty price tag.
“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”
As a Marvel fan who has seen every movie produced by the company, I had to see what the talk was about with the newest Disney+ release, “Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Unfortunately, I can’t say this show made my top list for Marvel projects.
There are few Marvel characters whose backstories have never really been told before, which Marvel didn’t clear up in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Disney only provided the first few episodes for review, so the show’s storyline hasn’t been fully developed — but the action leaves one hoping the show’s later episodes are filled with imagination and crazy action-packed scenes.
This show is about the longtime allies of Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson crossing paths once again after the loss of Captain America in “Avengers: Endgame.”
“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” picks up after the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” in which Captain America handed over his shield to Sam Wilson — also known by his superhero name Falcon — essentially passing on the title to him. But as we see early in this episode, Sam doesn’t want that role and instead donates it to the Smithsonian.
Off to a rough start, Disney. Marvel movies are what I watch to get my action-montage fix and while I feel a nice fight-scene is coming, I fear I’ll lose interest by the time that episode airs.
Thankfully, one thing I love about Marvel are the sarcastic pieces of humor thrown into the movie to add some sass from the heroes, which this show stayed consistent with. I would continue watching this with hopes of more action in episodes to come.
What else can we expect:
-“Big Shot” – April 16
– “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” – May 4
– “Loki” – June 11
– “Mysterious Benedict Society” – June 25
– “Monsters at Work” – July 2
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