For the first time in five years, Walt Disney Animation Studios has produced a film which is not a sequel to a pre-established work. The film, “Raya and the Last Dragon,” stands out as one of the studio’s more impressive productions to come out of the last decade. From its awe-inducing visuals to its subversive take of various Disney-esque tropes, “Raya” proves that the studio, despite its reluctance to take risks, may achieve great success when it tries to break the mold.

The film follows the titular Raya (Kelly Marie Tran, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”) as she sets out to find the legendary dragon Sisu (Awkwafina, “Jumanji: The Next Level”) who may help save her kingdom from monstrous creatures known as the Druun. The cast also includes Gemma Chan (“Captain Marvel”), Benedict Wong (“Doctor Strange”) and Daniel Dae Kim (“Hellboy”).

Like other recent Disney films, “Raya” sets itself apart from the works of other studios due to its gorgeous, intricately-detailed animation. Perhaps what stands out the most in terms of the visuals is the film’s scenery, which is astounding due to its photorealistic qualities. As it depicts a variety of locations with deviant environments throughout the story, the film provides an array of visual treats as the audience beholds each dynamic setting as each is displayed.

Unlike most other Disney films, “Raya” is devoid of humor, though it does occasionally attempt to have comedic moments. Though this may be a con for some, others may find themselves to be rather delighted by what is a rather unorthodox film for the studio, given its serious tone. Though some of the themes that it explores may be somewhat similar to those found in the studio’s past projects, the film’s willingness to explore them in a more mature manner makes them all the more compelling to consider. Furthermore, this gives the audience the opportunity to behold a protagonist who may be recognized for being emotionally complex, especially for a Disney princess, in addition to a cast of characters who could be seen as equally, if not more, dynamic.

“Raya’s” stellar animation and serious tone make for a remarkable mixture when it comes to the film’s action sequences. Well-choreographed, these fight scenes prove to get even more exciting each time they occur throughout the film. Furthermore, these scenes carry their own emotional purposes, as they allow for certain characters to settle their own scores and vent out their own problems and complexities, thus doing so in a way which proves to be all the more entertaining and effective in the eyes of the audience.

Finally, although “Raya and the Last Dragon” may take place in one collective kingdom, it also creates a sense of intrigue because of the different territories and characters that exist within it. Through how it showcases the differences of their landscapes and people, the film demonstrates world-building that is practically unheard of in other Disney animated films. Though it may not elaborate upon these areas or characters completely, the film gives more than enough material to warrant potential spin-off stories regarding them, thereby providing even more reasons to be excited about the world of “Raya.”

Though sequels such as “Frozen II” may be fun in their own right, they simply lack the freshness of original stories due to the familiarity of their characters and stories. Keeping triumphs such as “Raya” in mind, perhaps Disney shall feel more compelled to develop even more original content in the future. That way, audiences will have an even greater reason to flock to theaters to see their films.

Image from Walt Disney Animation Studios via YouTube