In general, I love Pixar movies, and I am sure I grade them on something of a curve as a result. However, I would be among the first to admit that Pixar’s best work these days tend to be more of a deep commentary on the human condition, something involving souls or the inner emotions of the human mind, whereas everything else seems to be almost like something that might have come out of a competitor like Dreamworks while Disney’s own CGI animation is reaching new heights. However, I would argue that as good as Disney’s recent output has been, it does often come down to a protagonist realizing she had the power inside herself all along if she’d just trust herself and not some magical other-thing, and even at its worst, Pixar’s work is still beautiful to look at.
As it is, Turning Red is the second original Pixar movie in a row to deal with a young person exploring a world away from strict parental rules, and this one has on an added subtext of a young woman hitting puberty. Luca just had a fishboy’s desire to have a moped and do some exploring.
Chinese-Canadian Mei Lee (Rosalie Chiang) is thirteen and excited to be an adult in 2002’s Toronto. She’s a big believer in being an individual; however, she is also someone who really tries to do what her strict mother Ming (Sandra Oh) wants her to do. After school, Mei and her mother run a temple dedicated to their ancestors, particularly one who was close to the red panda. But then one night after a particularly embarrassing incident, Mei learns her family has a secret: around the time puberty kicks in, the women in the Lee family turn into giant, bipedal red pandas whenever they are overcome by any emotion. Naturally, Mei is embarrassed further by that, but then an odd thing happens. Mei and her only three friends at school come to realize the red panda form might be somewhat fun, and since the four of them really want to see a popular boy band in concert, the panda might be the key to making enough money to buy tickets.
However, Mei’s family has a ceremony that can trap the panda form in a pendant at the next blood moon, and they really want Mei to go through with it since the panda form isn’t something that belongs in the modern, Western world. Mei is sneaking around behind her parents’ backs to do much of anything, and Ming would not approve of Mei’s activities if she ever found out about them. Can Mei find some freedom for self-expression and win over her parents’ approval?
So, really, this does on the surface does look like a very basic movie, and in many ways is a very basic movie, does have a bit more going for it beyond that: the panda is something of a metaphor for Mei getting her period. I mean, she’s turning red, and in case that point is missed, her mother initially assumes that Mei needs a tampon. The movie is using some kind of subtext that the panda represents more normalizing of female puberty than anything else, but let’s just say I was mildly surprised and pleased that Pixar actually stuck tampons and maxi pads in a movie that is primarily aimed at kids who may not have much of an idea what those things are.
However, it is still that basic movie where Mei wants to be more of a free agent who does what she feels like to have fun with her friends even as her mother disapproves of both her friends and the boy band they all love. It does have Pixar’s often ground-breaking animation and comedic timing. The characters are charming and fun, and while the story may hit the expected beats, they’re still fun beats. It’s not as deep or as soul-searing as the likes of Inside Out or Toy Story 3, and it doesn’t have the moment that made me want to cry like so many Pixar movies have, but it’s a fine little film that should be entertaining enough for the whole family.
Grade: B+
0 Comments