Raya And The Last Dragon

 Raya And The Last Dragon - Review

By. Justin Azevedo

Synopsis - In the World of Kumandra, The Dragons Sacrificed themselves to stop the evil forces known as the Druun. 500 years later the people of the Land have become divided and the Druun have returned. Raya (Voiced by. Kelly Marie Tran) a Warrior Princess, has set out on a Journey to find the Last Dragon, known as Sisu (Voiced by. Awkwafina) to save Kumandra and bring peace across the Land!

     Kumandra is a Post Apocolyptic Land that has been divided by Five Tribes, The Tail, Spine, Talon, Fang and Heart. Before that Kumandra was a peaceful Land, where the Human's coexisted with Dragons that brought Water and Life. That is until the Druun came, Evil Spirits of Darkness that sucked the Life of those they Touch and turned to stone. The Dragons faced the Druun and they sacrificed themselves to create the Dragon Gem and entrusted it to Sisu who used it's power to banish the Druun from the Land and restored only the people who were stone, however the Dragons remained in their stone form. After the battle Sisu disappeared leaving behind the Dragon Gem, which in turn created a power struggle for the orb to which divided the Land. The Orb was place under the protection of the people of the Heart Land, who call themselves the "Guardian of the Dragon Gem"!

     500 years later, the Leader of the Heart Land tried to bring peace and restore the land back into Kumandra, however when the people of the Fang Land attempted to steal the Dragon Gem, from them, it leads into a conflict with all the other Tribes, which results in the Gem breaking the the Druun to return. 6 Years later, the Druun scour across the Land and turn many of its population into stone, with the Dragon Gem, divided into 5 pieces and those 5 pieces are being held by each of the leaders of the Five Tribes. However those Tribes are facing problems as the Druun continue to ravage them and each Tribe doing their own part in order to survive. This leads Raya the last of the "Guardian of the Gem" to search for Sisu and help her defeat the Druun and bring peace to the Land!

     Raya (Voiced by. Kelly Marie Tran), Is the Daughter of Chief Benja and Princess of the Heart Land. She has been training into becoming a Guardian of the Dragon Gem, by her father and during her Trial, she finally becomes one. When she learned of her father's plan in inviting the leaders of the other Tribes in his hopes of restore and become the One Land of Kumandra, she was at first hesitant in whether they should trust the people from the other Lands. Her father however told her that in order for their to be trust, "someone has to take the first step!". On the Day, when all of the Chief's came to the Heart Lands, Raya took that step, when they started to bicker and got close to the Namaari daughter of the Fang Lands Chieftess. At first Raya, felt a real connection with Namaari, as they both are Dragon Nerds and are big fans of Sisu and Namaari gave Raya her Sisu amulet as a token of friendship. This leads Raya to take Namaari to where the Dragon Gem, was being kept and where Raya learned of Namaari's true intention's when Namaari attacked her and tried to steal the Gem. Raya however stood in her way and held her back, that is until Fang Soldier's came and Raya was surrounded, but her father came to her rescue. As the other tribe people came Raya watched as her Father tried to persuade everyone to turn back and work together in becoming Kumandra, but then saw when he was injured and watched as the people from the other tribes try to take the Gem, leading it to break into 5 pieces and the Druun returning. As each Tribe grabbed a piece from the Gem, including Raya's Father, she carried him out of the city, however with his injury, he was only holding her back and sacrificed himself to allow Raya to escaped telling her not too lose hope in the people!

     6 years later, Raya along with her animal companion Tuk Tuk, having been scouring throughout Kumandra searching every River in hopes to find Sisu, leading her to the last one in Tail Lands. It is clearly seen, that Raya is extremely cautious when she sees people in her sight. When arriving at the last River, she performs a ceremony to summon Sisu and to her shock it worked and Raya came to face with Sisu the Last Dragon. However upon meeting her Raya learns that Sisu is unaware that 500 years have past and also learned that she did not truly create the Dragon Gem, but her sibling did. They both soon learn that Sisu is able to tap into the power of the Gem pieces and if they bring all the pieces together, Sisu can restore the Dragon Gem, and bring back all those who were turned to stone including her father. This leads them to their first stop, infiltrating where the Tail Chieftess hideout. After gaining her piece of the Gem, Raya is then reunited with Namaari and after a narrow chase, Raya and Sisu were able to escape from Namaari and her group by boarding a bout where they meet Boun.

     As they make it to Talon, Raya takes Tuk Tuk to go retrieve the Gem piece from Talon's Chief, asking Sisu to stay behind to be safe, as Talon is a place of untrusting Con Artist. However Raya ends up getting conned herself, when she encounters a lost Baby, but learns that the baby was distracting her, while a trio of Monkey steal the Gem pieces. After a brief chase, Raya was able to acquire the pieces back and after learning the Con Baby circumstances, she decided to enlist the help of the Con Baby and her Monkey trio to distract the guards, while she sneaks in. However she soon learns that the Chief had been turned to stone and the Gem piece was in the hands of Talon's new Chief. Raya was however able to regain the Gem piece in the end, when she came to Sisu's aid and made they're escape on Boun's ship, with Con Baby and the Monkey Trio joining them.

     As they made they're way to Spine, Raya expressed her views to Sisu, on how the world has change and how no one "trust each other" which contradicts Sisu's views. Upon arriving at Spine, Raya and Sisu got captured, when Raya chased after Sisu, when she tried to prove how Trusting someone pays off. Once captured, Raya and Sisu meet Tong, until they were rescued by Boun, Con Baby, Tuk  Tuk and the Monkey Trio. When Namaari and Fang Soldiers arrive at the front gate, Raya learned that all the other people of Spine were turned to Stone and Tong is the only one left. Wanting to protect Sisu and everyone, Raya ask Tong to help her friends escape, while she goes to distract Namaari. At the front gate, Raya challenges Namaari and the two fight one on one, while her friends made they're escape through a back way. However when Raya was knocked down, Sisu came to her rescue revealing her Dragon Form and they made they're escaped.

     Back on the boat, Raya and Sisu were confronted by the other's over Sisu's true identity. After telling them of they're plan into restoring the Dragon Gem, and bring everyone who was turn to Stone back, Boun and Con Baby offered to join on their mission, as well as Tong who revealed that he had Spine Gem piece and gave it to them. 

     When Raya discuss over they're plan to retrieve the last Gem piece from Fang, she came into conflict with Sisu, when she gave her plan in befriending Namaari, which Raya thought was a mistake and would rather go with Boun's plan instead, as she believed that Namaari can't be trusted, to which the other's agreed. This then leads Sisu to take Raya back her the Land of Heart and to where the Dragon Gem was being kept, which Raya learned that it is the place where Sisu and her siblings made they're last stand and how Sisu trusted in her siblings decision in entrusting the Dragon Gem to her. This leads Raya to go with Sisu's plan. 

     After sending a letter to Namaari, Raya met with her first. After a brief talk and seeing that Namaari brought Fang's Gem piece, Raya believed in her, this leads Sisu to join them. However Namaari soon pointed a crossbow at them, planning to take the Gem pieces and Sisu back to Fang. As Raya and the others were ready to attack, Sisu looked at Raya and ask to leave it to her. As Sisu was trying to persuade Namaari, Raya reacted, as she saw Namaari squeezing the trigger, which result in Sisu getting shot by an arrow and falling into the water. Fueled in anger Raya then went after Namaari and upon arriving at the Fang's palace, Raya engage in a final duel with Namaari. After a intense battle, Raya defeated Namaari, however after a discussion over what happened and Namaari pointing out Raya involvement in Sisu's death, Raya seeing truth to her words and seeing the other's helping the people of Fang escape from the Druun, left Namaari and went to help them. 

     Thought Raya was able to help the other's in getting the remaining people of Fang out of the city, with Namaari's help as well. Raya along with the other's soon found trapped under the city with the Druun surrounding them and the Gem pieces losing it's power. Raya then remembered what Sisu told her in how her Dragon siblings trusted her with the Dragon Gem, she realizes that there is still hope and that they need to come together and trust each other as well and to give her the Gem pieces, however the other's refuse to trust Namaari. This then leads Raya to follow her Father's advice in "Taking the first Step!" and gave Namaari her piece and sacrifice herself and turned to stone. This leads the other to follow and the Dragon Gem, was restored and it's power banished the Druun and not only revive the people, but also the Dragon's. As Raya no longer stoned, smiled at Namaari, she then watch with the other's as the Dragon's came and brought Sisu back to life and Raya and Sisu embraced each other, with the other joining in including Namaari.

     Back at the Land of Heart, Raya is reunited with her father, and she introduces him to Sisu and shows him that the people of the other Lands have come together and Raya welcome's her father to "Kumandra"!

     Raya is a skilled Warrior who does show respect towards sacred places, but she also shows that modern quirky type character that many of the other latest Disney Princesses have shown, as well as being a bad cook for Jerky. Raya has also depicted herself in being a "Total Dragon Nerd"! The most difficult challenge that Raya face in the Film was in Trusting others, after her dealing with Namaari, Raya clearly shows she is unable to trust anyone she encounters. When she first met Boun, Noi and Tong she was hesitant towards them, but when the moment came Raya showed that she is willing to put her trust in other's. Raya proved her skills as a warrior at a young age, and continued to show her skills in both using her Sword, as well as hand to hand combat!

     Sisu (Voiced by. Awkwafina), was the Dragon who was the The Hero of Kumandra, who defeated the Druun 500 years ago and disappeared after the battle. After the events in the Heart Land, which left the Dragon Gem, shattered and the Druun's return. Raya set out to find Sisu, to which she did, however we see that Sisu, is not who she was proclaimed to be in the story. Upon being summoned by Raya, Sisu believed that it was still the day, she faced the Druun and she was shocked in learning that it has been 500 years, and more shocked that the Druun have return and the Dragon Gem is broken. Upon Raya expressing her delight in Sisu return, Sisu revealed to Raya that she is not exactly the great hero she was proclaimed to be, that she has no true abilities, like other Dragon's, just that she is a "Great Swimmer". However upon holding the piece that Raya had, Sisu discovered that she can tap into the power of the Gem and if they gather the remained pieces she can restore the Dragon Gem, and drive back the Druun and being peace to the Land.

     Sisu then travel with Raya in retrieving the remaining pieces to the Dragon Gem and with each piece she gathered, she was able to tap into the power of her Dragon siblings. When she gathered the piece from the Tail Lands Chieftess and was able to gain the ability to shapeshift into a human and that helped her blend in among the crowd, when she and Raya arrived at Talon Land. As Raya went to go retrieve the Gem piece, Sisu stayed behind for a bit, but then went to explore the town, in hopes in finding a gift for the Chief of the Talon Lands, however after receiving some bad information from Boun, Sisu got herself into trouble with some Vendors, only to be rescued by an elderly woman who turned out to be the New Chieftess of Talon and planned to sacrifice Sisu to the Druun, until Sisu was rescue by Raya and they made their escape on Boun's boat and also meets Little Noi in the process.

     Upon Arriving at Spine Lands, Sisu went on ahead in order to prove to Raya that you can trust people when you make an effort, however her attempt leads her and Raya to fall into a trap and captured, by Spine Warrior Tong, until they were rescued by Boun and the other's. When Fang arrived, Raya asked Tong to take the other's to escape, which made Sisu smiled as Raya was putting her trust into Tong. When Sisu went with the other's to escape, while Raya distracted Namaari and her Fang soldier. However when Raya was knocked down, Sisu came to her rescue, revealing her Dragon Form, which shocked and stunned everyone, including Namaari, who Sisu sense something in her when she looked into Namaari's eyes, that she wasn't truly bad. Sisu then made her escape with Raya and everyone else.

     Back on Boun's boat, Sisu told the rest of the group in her and Raya's plan to restore the Dragon Gem, and restore all those who were turned to stone. This leads Boun and Little Noi to pledge their help, including Tong who revealed he had Spine's Gem piece. As they discuss they're plan to infiltrate Fang, Sisu gave her plan in befriending Namaari, which the other's did not agree too, including Raya as she believe that Namaari cannot be trusted. This leads Sisu to take Raya to the Land of hear and the Chamber where the Dragon Gem, was being kept. There Sisu revealed that the Chamber was the place where Sisu and her Dragon Siblings made they're last stand against the Druun as seen when she revealed her eldest brother who was turned to stone. How 500 they created the Dragon Gem, and entrusted it to Sisu and sacrificing themselves, turning to Stone giving Sisu the chance to save everyone and how she trusted them in their choice and hearing Sisu story is what made Raya to go with Sisu plan.

     As Sisu and the other's arrived at Fang and send their message to Namaari to meet them. On the day they would meet her, Raya was the first to meet Namaari to see if she can be trusted and once Raya saw that Namaari brought her Gem piece, this leads Sisu to meet with her. However when they prepare to reassemble the Dragon Gem, Namaari pulled a crossbow on them, telling them she plans to take the Gem pieces and Sisu back to Fang. As they other's were ready to attack Namaari, Sisu assured them to let her take care of it. As Sisu spoke to Namaari, telling her that she trusted her to do the right thing, but Raya seeing Namaari squeezing the trigger, reacted which forced Namaari to fire and the arrow hit Sisu. After being hit by the arrow, Sisu fell into the water and with Sisu death the Water all over Kumandra started to vanish and without it the Druun were able to attack.

     It was thanks to Sisu wisdom and advice about trust that helped Raya and her companions, restore the Dragon Gem, which banished the Druun and freed everyone that was turned to Stone, including the Dragon's. As Raya and the other's saw the Dragon's gathered around the area where Sisu fell, they cast magic that restored Sisu to Life, and she celebrated as she saw her sibling free from Stone. Sisu then went to Raya and they embrace, each other as they were happy to see each other again and their friends joining and Sisu having Namaari join them as well!

      Sisu went with Raya to the Land of Heart and meet her Father, who told him that Raya brought some friends with her as, she looked towards they're companions and they're Tribe people who have all come together to be "Kumandra", fulfilling Raya's father's dream. As Sisu watch as the tribes people entered the Land of Heart, she then joined her Dragon siblings and they ran through the Land in celebration, bringing rain and water to everyone!

     Awkwafina really portrayed Sisu incredibly. Not only did she portrayed as a wise and caring Dragon, she also did great in adding her comedic personality into Sisu. Sisu's personality was a mixture of Caring, Wise, Gullible, Comedic and Trusting, she cares for all people and they're safety and wants what's best for everyone, and her ability to trust other's and how it can make a difference it what makes her wise, as for her gullibility she can be easily manipulated, when she places her trust in the wrong type of person! Awkwafina was definitely the perfect choice for the role of Sisu, as she was able to really bring the character to its full potential and role in the movie!

     Namaari (Voiced by. Gemma Chan), Is the Princess to the Fang Land and Daughter of Chieftess Virana. Namaari befriended Raya, when her people visited the Heart Land, along with the other Tribes. At first she acted friendly towards Raya, both sharing their admiration towards Sisu. It was Namaari who told Raya that Sisu was still out there and showed her a map of the possible location's. Namaari then presented Raya with a gift of friendship of a Sisu amulet. This leads Raya to believe in their friendship and trust her, by taking her to the location of the Dragon Gem. However upon seeing the Gem, Namaari showed her true intention's by attacking Raya and alerting her Tribe people that she found the Dragon Gem, for them to take. As she attempted to retrieve the Gem herself, she is confronted by Raya who was able to hold her off, that is until Fang Warriors arrived. However pretty soon more of people from the other Land's came and soon the conflict for the Gem, lead to it's cracking and braking into five pieces, which brought the return of the Druun. As each of the Five tribes grabbed a piece of the Gem, including Fang, Namaari and her mother made they're escape.

     6 years later, Namaari lead a group to go after Raya, after she stole the Map of Kumandra from Fang's Palace. Upon reuniting for the first time in 6 years with Raya in a cave in Tail Land , Namaari learned that Raya had been in search of finding Sisu, though she completely thought it was a joke. Though unaware that Raya did find Sisu, though did not know as she was in her human form. Namaari then try to capture her in hopes in taking the Gem pieces Raya has, but failed when they made they're escape out of the cave and then made they're way to the water using a boat. 

     Namaari instead of following Raya, went back to her castle in Fang Lands. Once she returns she meets with her Mother and told her of what Raya is up to in gathering the Gem pieces. This leads her to request to command Fang's Royal Army to capture Raya and the Gem pieces, as having all of the pieces will secure Fang's future, to which her mother agreed.

      Namaari lead the Soldiers to the front gate at the Land of Spine with plans to break in. Until Namaari was soon confronted by Raya, who challenge her. Namaari accepted and the two fought, during the fight Namaari was unaware that Raya was distracting her, to allow the other's in her group to escape. After Namaari took Raya down, she was about to take her prisoner, until Sisu came to Raya's rescue revealing her Dragon form to Namaari who was stunned upon seeing her and watched as they made they're escape.

     She returned to Fang to inform her mother about Sisu, to which she already knows. This leads Namaari conflicted in over what her Mother wants her to do in seizing the Gem pieces and the Dragon, to secure Fang's safety as Fang had been greatly blamed after the events at the land of Heart and the return of the Druun. When Namaari receive Raya's letter with her gift, Namaari made her decision in what to do.

     Namaari met with Raya and presented her Fang's Gem piece, this leads her to meet Sisu again to which she showed her respect. However Namaari revealed her true intention in taking the Gem pieces and Sisu, by pointing a crossbow at them. When the other's came, Namaari became agitated and nervous, as they were ready to strike including Raya, but Sisu tried to talk to Namaari telling her that she trusted her, Namaari still hesitant and Raya seeing her squeezing the trigger, reacted which made Namaari fire and accidently kill Sisu. This leads Namaari to take her Gem piece back to Fang.

     When she arrived at the Palace throne room, she saw her mother turned to Stone and when she was called out by Raya, Namaari looked at her ready to fight for the last time. As the two fought, they striked relentlessly until Raya defeated her. Once defeated, Namaari express, her regret over what happened, to which Raya didn't believe, and Namaari pointed out how Sisu trusted her, but Raya didn't and because of that it lead to Sisu's death and that Raya had a hand in it as well. After Raya left her to go join the other's in rescuing the people of Fang, Namaari also join in helping Tuk Tuk escape with some of her people. 

     After she and the other's were trapped under the city and surrounded by Druun, she looked at Raya when she told them that there is still a chance to fix them Dragon Gem, however the other's refuse to trust Namaari blaming her for Sisu's death. This leads Raya to put her trust in Namaari, by giving her, her Gem piece and turned to stone, this leads to other's to follow. When Namaari saw an opportunity to escape, she instead to act with the trust she was given and reassembled the Dragon Gem, stood next to Raya when Namaari was turned to Stone after. The Dragon Gem, then banished to Druun and restored everyone, including the Dragons, Raya looked at Namaari and smiled at her in gratitude. When Sisu was revived Namaari kept her distance, but Sisu grabbed her and she joined in the group hug with Raya and the other's. Namaari is then with her Mother at the Heart Land, as Raya welcomed him to "Kumandra"!

      Namaari served as the Primary Antagonist to Raya. Though what she does, it is for the future of the Land of Fang and it's people. This desire leads her to do whatever it takes to insure that future, even if it means betrayal. Though we do see that she does feel regret in how things went down and 

     

     Boun (Voiced by, Izaac Wang), was the sole owner of a Boat Restaurant from the Land of Tail, as well as it's captain and chef. Raya and Sisu employed him to help them escape from the Fang Warriors that were chasing after them, to which he agreed when Raya flashed some Jade to him. Boun then helped them reach Talon, and upon traveling with them on the journey their, he offered to continue transporting them to their next destination, as he was getting close to them and liked having their company, as he lost his family to the Druun. When they arrived at Talon, he stayed behind in his bout with Sisu and gave her some bad information about what "Credit" is and how it is used, when Sisu wanted to grab a gift for Talon's Chief. Later on Boun prepared the Ship to leave when Raya and Sisu returned, as well as entertaining they're new guest Baby Noi and her Monkey Trio.

     As they made they're way to Spine, Boun remained behind with Noi, as Raya went after Sisu, only to come to their aid when Raya and Sisu got captured by Tong. Boun learned of Sisu true identity, when she went to Raya's aid, when she was distracting Namaari and Fang who had arrived, while he and the other's escaped.

     After escaping from Spine and back on his boat, Boun like the other's were upset with Raya in not knowing about Sisu. Though when he learned of their mission to save everyone turned to Stone, he was the first to offer his help in that mission, which the other's soon followed. When they discuss their plan in getting the final Gem piece from Fang, Boun added his own thoughts, to which some parts were a bit of a stretch, however Raya would rather go with his plan, then Sisu if it involve trusting Namaari to which Boun and the other's agreed as Fang was greatly blamed over what has happened to the world and the rise of the Druun. 

      After Raya and Sisu returned from their side trip and Raya planning to go with plan. After sending the message to Namaari, Boun waited with the other's while Raya and Sisu met with her, but when Namaari had planned to take both Sisu and the Gem pieces, Boun came to Raya's aid with the others. Boun watched as Sisu fell, after getting hit by an arrow, from Namaari's crossbow and watched as the water vanished and the Druun moving towards Fang's castle. He then noticed Raya disappeared and he along with the other's tracked her to Fang and saw her face Namaari. Boun try to call out to her, but no luck, due to her being consumed by anger. He then notices the people of Fang in danger by the Druun, he told the other's to take a piece of the Gem they had and get the people out of the city. As Boun and he the other's worked in saving as many of the people as they could, Boun soon found himself surrounded by Druun, but Raya came to his aid in time and helped evacuate more people.

     After helping the last of the people in Fang out of the City, Boun was trapped under the city with the other's as well as Namaari. As they tried to hold off the Druun, Raya spoke to them about how they can restore the Dragon Gem, themselves by trusting each other, but Boun was against in trusting Namaari over her action's leading to Sisu's death, as did the other's. However after seeing Raya, taking the "first step" and handing her Gem piece to Namaari trusting her and making the sacrifice, turning to stone by the Druun, Boun was the second to take that step, handing his Gem piece and stood by Raya, as he also turned to stone.

     When the other's followed and Namaari reassembled the Dragon Gem, which lead to the Druun to be banished and restore all those turned to Stone, including Boun and his friends! Boun then saw, as the Dragon's came and brought Sisu back to life and went to her side as Boun and the other's, including Namaari joined in a group hug. 

     Afterwards Boun sailed back to the Land of Tail, where he saw his family at the docks and was reunited with them. Boun and his family along with his tribe, went to the Land of Heart to help welcome Raya's father to "Kumandra"

     Little Noi/Con Baby (Voiced by, Thalia Tran), made her appearance up tricking Raya, depicting herself as a lost infant when Raya spotted her, only for her monkey friends to stealthily steal the Broken pieces to the Dragon Gem, from her. Once Raya learned of this plot, Little Noi revealed her true nature and caught Raya off guard and made her escaped. However Raya was able to capture Little Noi and her Monkey Cohorts and retrieve the Gem pieces. After learning that Little Noi had lost her family to the Druun, this leads Raya to help her, in recruiting her skills to create a distraction, for her to infiltrate Talon's palace. After Raya, got in Little Noi and her monkey companion's went to Boun's boat, and joined the group when they set sail to Spine.

     Upon arriving at Spine, Little Noi stayed behind with Boun, as Raya went after Sisu who went ahead. Noi came to Raya and Sisu aid, when they were captured by Tong. When Fang arrived, Noi went with the other's to escape, while Raya distracted them and saw Sisu transformed into her Dragon form when she went to Raya's rescue.

      After escaping from Fang and returning to the boat, Little Noi was upset in not knowing the truth about Sisu. Though after learning of their mission to bring everyone who was turned to stone back, Noi offered her help to accomplish that.

      When they went to execute Sisu's plan, it was Little Noi and her Monkey companions that delivered the message to Namaari, using they're skills to infiltrate Fang's palace. Then on the day when meeting with Namaari, she watched from behind when Raya and Sisu met with her and went to their aid when Namaari betrayed them and planned to take Sisu. When Sisu died she watch as the water disappeared and the Druun made they're attack at Fang.

      As Noi and the other's arrived at Fang, she helped protect the people using the Gem piece. After successfully evacuating the remaining citizens, Noi becomes trapped under the citizen with the other's and trying to keep the Druun at bay. After watching Raya and Boun giving the Gem piece to Namaari, Noi followed along with Tong and gave her piece as well and made the sacrifice and turned to stone. After the Dragon Gem, was restored and the Druun were banished and she with the other's were free. Noi watched as the Dragon's revived Sisu and then embrace her with the other's in a group hug.

     Noi returned home, along with her Monkey friends as she was reunited with her mother. Later Noi was with her family and her Tribe in the Land of Heart to help welcome Raya's Father to "Kumandra"!

     Tong (Voiced by. Benedict Wong), is a warrior from the Land of Spine, who captured Raya and Sisu when and brought them to his home. There he interrogated them, figuring out that they came for Spine's Gem piece. However along the way Raya and Sisu learned that Tong seemed to be lonely, as he was talking about keeping them around, while he thought on what he would do. Until Boun, Little Noi and Tuk Tuk came to the rescue and captured Tong. When Fang announce themselves at the front gate, we see that all over the people of Spine have been turned to Stone, leaving Tong the only one left and also learn that his family also turned to stone as well. Raya then ask Tong to help his friends escape while she distract Namaari and her soldier's, to which Tong agreed and helped them escape from a back way out, however Tong watch as Sisu turned into her Dragon form and save Raya and was stunned to see it!

     After escaping from Fang and learning about Raya and Sisu's mission in freeing everyone from Stone, Tong request to join them in this "But Kickery" Adventure and presents them with Spine's Gem piece, which thrills everyone. As they then discuss they're plan in retrieving the last Gem piece from Fan, Tong was among the other's that believed that Namaari cannot be trusted, as well as Fang, when Sisu gave her idea, as he blamed Fang for the state of their world is in.

     However when Raya and Sisu return from their side trip, he followed the plan. Among the group, Tong was the most closest to Little Noi, as he was the one who revealed her name to the rest, this reason is due to him having a child her age and looked forward to seeing them again when the Dragon Gem, is restore.

      On the day when they meet Namaari, Tong stayed behind and watch with Boun and Little Noi, until Namaari revealed her true intention, thus coming to their side. After Sisu's death, by Namaari Tong was able to point out that with Sisu, The Last Dragon gone... the water goes as well. He along with the rest then notice Raya had vanished and went after Namaari, which they followed.

      Upon arriving at Fang, they see Raya fight Namaari, Tong was able to tell that her rage has consume her. However they all notice the Druun attack, this leads to Tong and the other's to use the Gem pieces to help hold back the Druun and help the citizens escape. After Raya joined them, they were nearly finished, when Namaari then helped, Tong like the other's felt anger towards her. When they were trapped under the city, Tong helped in holding back the Druun, but the power of the Gem was vanishing. When Raya proposed the idea in them restoring the Dragon Gem, together Tong was against in trusting Namaari again, as she killed Sisu. However when Raya took "the first step", as did the other, so did he as he gave Namaari his piece and turned to stone. Tong was revived like the other's when the Dragon Gem, was restored and banished the Druun and he watched as the Dragon's came and revive Sisu and he joined in the group Hug with the other's.

     Tong returned home and was reunited with his family, to which he then takes them to the Land of Heart along with his tribe, as he joined the other's in welcoming Raya's father to "Kumandra"!

     While Namaari served as the Primary Antagonist in the Movie, the Druun served as the Main Evil in the Movie as they were a threat to all the people of Kumandra. The Druun are creatures born of human discord, that come will humanity is at it's most vulnerable. They did not speak, but made malicious noises. They had the ability to take the life force of other's which turned them to stone and after taking that life force, the Druun are able to multiply and increase their numbers. They're weakness was water, as no doubt due to it being pure and with the Power of the Dragon's able to Banish them!

     References that I notice was in the beginning of the Film when the story between Kumandra and the Druun was told, the animation as well as scenario was similar to the opening Scene in "Kung Fu Panda 2"! Another Reference was with Little Noi and her Monkey Companions, who bare a resemblance to the Penguins in the "Madagascar" franchise, with their skills in infiltrating and they're methods in knocking someone out with a karate chop to the neck! A Reference to "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark", was also in the Film, with Raya retrieving the Gem piece from Tail's Chieftess.

      The Film's world of "Kumandra", was based on and inspired by the Southeast Asia Region. From it's food, clothing, activities, and traditions. It also did great in incorporating the Landscape, like the Mountains, the river's and towns. They also did well in portraying the Characteristics to the people of Southeast Asia into their characters, while also adding that Disney flare to their character's as well!

     The Core Theme, of this film is Trust, putting your trust in someone and earning someone's trust as well! We see throughout the film, on how trusting in someone can also become a risk, but if one's wants to make a change they need to be willing to "Take the First Step" in trusting another!

My Rating for Raya and The Last Dragon is... (EPIC, Entertaining & Inspiring)