Turning Red

Director Domee Shi, in her feature film debut, demonstrates how well she can translate live-action filmmaking techniques into animation and take full advantage of the animation medium. She sustains a very balanced use of color where the school looks fluorescent green, which contrasts with the red on Meilin when she turns into a red panda. Other creative touches take direct inspiration from anime, which goes on to influence the music, action poses, and adorable, highlighted eyes. It's incredible how brave Pixar has become at this point to utilize such stylized animation in a way that doesn’t distract from the story.
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In regard to the subject matter, Meilin’s body is going through unusual changes, and her parents and friends remain so supportive of her. Meilin is a rather complex main character for a family film; she genuinely wants to prioritize family yet at the same time sees a boy band concert as her coming-of-age ritual. The story of this Chinese-Canadian tween is made even more special by the fact that it was directed by a Chinese-Canadian woman, who in turn tastefully explores the issues that come with a Chinese family moving into a new country, particularly in how it causes tension across generations. Bottom line: Turning Red is exactly what Disney needs right now to appeal to more mature audiences and represent more minority groups who need their stories to be heard.

PG (DV)
Comedy/Fantasy
1 hr. 40 min.

Watch it for FUN.
​Watch it to feel HAPPY and SAD.