‘Turning Red’ Movie Review: Pixar Tells an Important Story for the Whole Family

Pixar delivers another winning feast perfect for the whole family with Turning Red. Co-writer/director Domee Shi and co-writer Julia Cho create a fully-realized world that is easily accessible for all audiences. Turning Red doesn’t have quite the same emotional punch that some earlier Pixar films possess, but it tells an important story that viewers of all ages can relate to.

‘Turning Red’ is Pixar’s first film of 2022

Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang) is a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian with an immense amount of discipline. She works hard in school and is the Assistant Temple Keeper for her family’s business, but still tries to keep up a social life. Her group of friends has an infatuation with a boy band called 4*Town and they want to attend their upcoming concert.

Turning Red sees Mei suddenly turn into a giant red panda. However, she can’t control this confusing ability, as this transformation only happens when she gets too excited. Mei fights to hide the red panda, as she attempts to continue living out her normal life as if nothing changed. But, how will her family and friends react to this sudden change? Will she get to attend the concert of her dreams?

Writer/director Domee Shi tackles puberty, culture, and family

Turning Red approaches puberty and adulthood from a female perspective, but that doesn’t make it any less accessible for other audiences. Mei’s friend group doesn’t get much to do, but they each provide different energy that supplements the main conflict. Nevertheless, Shi’s direction successfully leads audiences through a world that still manages to be both relatable and entertaining.

Pixar once again delivers gorgeous and colorful animation. There’s a certain musicality to the movement that extends past the boy band-inspired moments. Turning Red instills stunning details in every object on the screen. The film also boasts three original songs from Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, perfectly capturing bops that fit Mei’s narrative and the time period.

At its core, Turning Red tells a story of a mother and her daughter that works well. Pixar offers an entertaining and accessible story, although it does feel a tad muted on the emotional front. Nevertheless, it’s an animated feature bursting with life. Turning Red explores important commentary on puberty, sexual repression, and culture clashes along with Pixar’s infectious spin.

Turning Red hits Disney+ on March 11.

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