Raya
And The Last Dragon 4K
(2021/Disney 4K UHD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)
4K
Ultra HD Picture: A 1080p Picture: B+ Sound: A- Extras: B
Film: B
Disney's
animated feature that was made over the course of the pandemic, Raya
and the Last Dragon
(2021) is a beautifully animated piece that will appeal to both
children and adults. The level of imagination is unhinged here in a
fantasy world that was once home to many dragons and magic, but has
since become mostly ruin when a mystic gym is broken and pieces
scooped up by different persons in a South East Asian inspired world.
A lone warrior named Raya befriends the Last Dragon and seeks to
bring the pieces of the gem together again and reclaim the world for
what it once was.
The
animated film features the voice talents of Kelly Marie Tran (Star
Wars: The Last Jedi),
Awkwafina, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, and Benedict Wong.
Raya
and the Last Dragon
is presented in 2160p on 4K UHD disc with HDR (high dynamic range)
and a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1 and audio mixes in lossless
English Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) depending on
your home theater capabilities. The upscaled transfer on 4K is
simply mind blowing with a wide spectrum of colors and photo
realistic environments and characters. The water looks real as do
the many textures throughout the film, only the characters themselves
have a cartoonish look to them.
Also
included is a 1080p high definition Blu-ray edition with a widescreen
2.39:1 aspect ratio and the same audio mixes as the 4K UHD. What the
Blu-ray lacks is the next level detail that can be seen with high
dynamic range and the capability of 4K. Both transfers certainly
best the streaming option on Disney+, which is another way to view
the film.
Special
Features:
An
Introduction to "Us
Again"
- Director Zach Parrish takes you behind the scenes of the Walt
Disney Animation Studios short.
"Us
Again"
- An elderly man and his young-at-heart wife rekindle their passion
for life on one magical night.
Taste
of Raya
- Dine along with Kelly Marie Tran and the film's creative team
'virtually' over a Southeast Asian menu inspired by the countries
that influenced the film as they discuss their experiences creating
the world of Kumandra.
Raya:
Bringing it Home
- When the global pandemic of 2020 hit, production of "Raya and
the Last Dragon" moved to the houses of over 450 people. We
open a window into their lives and learn how they overcame massive
obstacles to make an animated feature from home.
Martial
Artists
- Get a kick out of learning about the martial art forms and weapons
used in the film as co-screenwriter Qui Nguyen and visual
anthropologist Dr. S. Steve Arounsack share the inspiration behind
the film's action-packed elements.
We
are Kumandra - Meet members of the Southeast Asia Story Trust and
discover the cultural influences that inspired the film... and how
important this representation in a Disney animated film is to the
people of the region.
Outtakes
- Step into the homes and behind the mics of the cast of "Raya
and the Last Dragon" as they experience voice-over sessions in
closets and shaky internet connections, which made recording this
film unlike any other.
Fun
Facts & Easter Eggs - Take a look at some of the hidden surprises
and behind-the-scenes secrets of "Raya and the Last Dragon."
The
Story Behind the Storyboard with John Ripa - Co-Director John Ripa
invites you to get an inside look at his thought process as he
pitches a storyboard sequence from the film and talks about his
amazing career with Disney Animation.
Deleted
Scenes:
Introduction
- Head of Story Fawn Veerasunthorn introduces deleted scenes from
"Raya and the Last Dragon."
The
Bridge
- Raya confronts an early version of the Druun in this deleted
storyboard sequence.
Escaping
Namaari
- See an early version sequence of an introduction to Namaari as an
adult.
Dragon
Blade
- Discover an early version of Raya's sword, when it used to have
magical
powers.
Meet
Boun
- Meet an early version of Boun before he was a chef and shrimp boat
captain.
and
The
Heart of the Dragon
- Co-Director John Ripa introduces a deleted scene which brought the
theme of hope into the film.
Raya
and the Last Dragon
wasn't exactly what I was expecting and seems to take some
inspiration from Mulan
and maybe a little bit from the How
To Train Your Dragon
series, but they definitely are different types of films (though they
may appeal to the same audience). The film's best asset is its
stunning animation which is on full display here on 4K UHD.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
