I had a harder time buying Parineeti Chopra as an alcoholic last week. But there’s also a fast-talking dragon, a middle-aged warrior, an enterprising boy, a baby, three monkeys, and a giant bug. There’s Raya, of course a ‘regular’ person, all things said and done. Take, for instance, the ‘fellowship’ of heroes that comes together in the film’s excellent third act. It would be impossible to do a live-action version of Raya and the Last Dragon, not only because it would probably cost a gazillion dollars, but also because your suspension of disbelief works double shifts while watching cartoons.

What worked best - Mushu the dragon - was left out completely. What worked in the cartoon Mulan failed miserably in the live-action remake.

Some things can only be achieved in animation, though. In another world, she’d be leading big-budget movies that didn’t feel the need to hide her face behind ones and zeroes. In any case, Tran deserves all the starring roles and more - not only because of what she represents, but also because she has such a unique combination of grit and gentleness and an innate ability to draw audiences in. Who knows, perhaps the deal for her to star in Raya was struck back then, as fair compensation for what studio was about to do. The actor was dealt such a cruel blow after Star Wars: The Last Jedi, when she was essentially written out of the series in a clear instance of the world's biggest movie studio bowing down to racist trolls. Kelly Marie Tran, meanwhile, plays the titular Raya (pronounced Rye-uh). Played by Awkwafina, Sisu is milked for humour in the film, foreshadowing, perhaps, the manner in which Disney will squeeze millions out of the character through plushy sales.

Sisu isn’t a scaly, fire-breathing monster out of Game of Thrones, but a furry, horse-like creature with the attitude of a sassy Asian-American comedian. And as you’d imagine, there is a dragon in it, but not the sort you’re thinking of.

Raya and the last dragon movie free