The Cinematic Review-verse

Walt Disney Animation Studios made another excellent combination of fantasy. action, and fun with ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’. I thought the titular dragon was voiced by Fran Drescher and the music was by Hans Zimmer or someone else, but nevertheless, I liked the voice casting, story, humor, and music.  Set during ancient times, the land of Kumandra is divided when Sisu, the last of siblings of dragons, voiced by Awkwafina, puts her magic into a gem and uses it to banish the Druun, evil spirits that turns people to stone, and the people fight to gain its power. When the struggle ends up turning her father, Chief Benja of the Heart Tribe, voiced by Daniel Dae Kim, to stone, the gem’s guardian, Raya, voiced by Kelly Marie Tran, seeks to revive him with the help of Sisu and a small army of survivors who lost their families to the Druun, but first they need to find the missing pieces of Sisu’s gem.    The plot seems similar to other Disney works, specifically the power struggl...

Oh say, can you see? I came to the conclusion that 'Coming 2 America' is a sequel that shouldn't have been made. We waited over 30 years for this to happen, and it pretty much recycles the same patriarchal rule plot and objectifying women (most of the film). However, it made up for it with explaining more of Zamunda's backstory, female empowerment, and humor from new cast additions and celebrity cameos.  Set 30 years after the first film, Akeem Joffer, played by Eddie Murphy, is now king of Zamunda. But he needs a male heir in order to settle a trading problem with neighboring country Nexdoria, or face a hostile takeover led by General Izzi, played by Wesley Snipes. Akeem unknowingly fathered a son during his first trip to America, Lavelle Junson, played by Jermaine Fowler, and must retrieve him and groom him to be the new king on the block. Eddie Murphy as King Akeem Joffer in 'Coming 2 America'. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios. Understanding the need for ...