Pixar always delivers excellently crafted films that balance big stories with big characters. Pixar stands out above the rest mainly due to their commitment for creating original stories as opposed to sequels and prequels. In recent years we’ve had hits such as Onward, Soul and Luca all proving that there’s plenty of juice left in the tank. Their latest film however hits very hard with some very important themes that are rarely put on the screen which are mixed in with some very interesting visuals that make their latest film Turning Red feel both unique and abstract.
Inspired by Animé and animation from more Eastern parts of the world Domee Shi, the filmmaker behind Turning Red, decided to take away the typical photo-realism that Pixar is famous for and instead goes to a chunky, colourful and pop-like world of early 2000s Toronto for the setting of her first feature film. The story is based around a young girl, Mei, a Chinese-Canadian who is loving life at the moment. Mei is doing great at school, has a great group of friends and loves helping her parents out at the Temple they work at. All that changes when one morning Mei wakes up as a big fluffy red panda.
The antics that follow are heartwarming, from her friends accepting her for who she is, to hilarious, like when Mei discovers a new-found feeling for certain boys. The transformation into a big red panda is clearly a metaphor for puberty with lots of telling nods like how she smells and how she distances herself from her mother. Turning Red at this point of the movie balances what Pixar has always done very well, entertaining adults and children alike with some very funny and on-the-nose writing about what the main character is going through.
The plot of the story is very simple to, there is a boy band coming to town called, funnily enough, “4 Town” and the songs from the fictional band feel of the era with lyrics written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell. The sisterhood of friends attempt to scrap together money to see the band live in Toronto within the coming month. The story is very swift and fast-paced but Mei and each of her friends all feel important to the story and it never feels rushed.
The design of the world is so different that you can’t help but fall in love with it. It’s plucky and delightful and even though Toronto isn’t as idyllic or vibrant as Radiator Springs or the Great Barrier Reef, Domee Shi somehow makes the city feel bursting with character. The story reflects Shi’s own childhood, which is evident in how relatable a lot of the scenarios in the film are. The most important theme of the film though is the relationship between mother and daughter, with the ending bringing this relationship to an interesting climax that feels emotional, pure and very Pixar-esque in the best way possible.
★★★★★
5/5
You will laugh, cry and smile from start to finish with Turning Red. This film stands above the rest and is an important addition to their library with their other films such as Up and Ratatouille. It’s a film that has a lot of important issues to tell about growing up and being who you are, but it never feels flat or on the nose. It’s a shame the film had to end as the characters all feel enduring and real, but with this being Pixar you wouldn’t expect anything less.
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Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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