‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ Review: Disney’s Newest Princess Tale Is Vibrant, Funny, and Timely

The usual hallmarks are all there: a mythical land, packs of wondrous creatures, a plucky heroine, a mystery to untangle, and a time-spanning journey that ties all these classic Disney princess story beats up in service to a vivid, emotional animated epic. Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada’s “Raya and the Last Dragon” may not break the Disney Princess mold, but the directing duo — plus screenwriters Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim and a star-packed cast of voice actors — find new ways to evolve the concept, with delightful results.

The big joke of “Raya and the Last Dragon” has already been (arguably) spoiled by its marketing: that the eponymous last dragon, a vaunted and mythical figure believed to be the key to healing centuries of strife, is actually kind of a ditzy teenage girl (voiced with awkward perfection by Awkwafina). And yet what “Raya and the Last Dragon” excels at is joining that (admittedly, very amusing) gag with a rich story about acceptance, found families, and the power of trust. Plus, a giant pill bug sidekick named Tuk Tuk!