Raya and the Last Dragon

Rating: PG
Service: Disney +

Maybe all recent animated Disney films are just to show off how realistically they can animate water. But somehow, Disney strikes gold once again with “Raya and the Last Dragon.” After the divided world of Kumandra breaks the only thing holding back a great evil, humanity finds itself on the brink of extinction. To save the world, Princess Raya takes it upon herself to find Sisu, the last dragon of Kumandra. As a movie, there’s nothing really to complain about. The message of unity is a bit heavy-handed, but everything else about the film makes up for this minor issue. The colorfully diverse designs for the five different nations keep set-pieces interesting; strong performances from Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina stand out throughout the film, providing an excellent emotional range. The animation is fluid and elegant, lending itself well to action scenes as well as calmer moments. I enjoyed my viewing of the film; I did my best to avoid any expectations and as such, I was not disappointed. I don’t think that it’s the best project from Disney, but it is certainly a solid entry in their ever-expanding repertoire. 

Peer Rating: 4.5/5

Secrets of Sulphur Springs

Rating: TV-PG
Service: Disney +

Mystery, ghosts and time travel converge to make “Secrets of Sulphur Springs’’ what it is. While I wouldn’t call the show groundbreaking, it is creative enough to keep young viewers invested. The show is at its most interesting when it explores the past and the disappearance of a young girl.

Peer Rating: 3.5/5

Flora & Ulysses

Rating: PG
Service: Disney +

“Flora and Ulysses” is a film adaptation of the same-titled book. A self-proclaimed cynic, Flora believes that there is nothing beautiful or bright in the world. However, when Ulysses, an extraordinary squirrel with superpowers, enters her life, the world starts to become a little more wonderful. 

Peer Rating: 3.5/5

*Zeitgeist articles are written as reviews, not recommendations.