海角大神

In the cleverly titled 鈥淭urning Red,鈥� 13-year-old Meilin Lee has a gigantic secret. Whenever the eighth grader is full of strong emotion, she transforms into a giant, fluffy red panda. While Mei (voiced by Rosalie Chiang) endures the flustering embarrassment of puberty, boys, and her helicopter mother Ming (Sandra Oh), she鈥檚 also desperately trying to contain the animal within.听

Pixar and Disney are proficient at playing an audience鈥檚 heartstrings. And with 鈥淏ao鈥� director and 鈥淚nside Out鈥� story artist Domee Shi helming the project, it鈥檚 no surprise that the emotional and thematic landscape of 鈥淭urning Red鈥� is voluminous. The film asks children and adults to reflect upon and embrace their inner magic, encouraging rather than stifling it.听

Set in the early 2000s, the movie may be surprisingly nostalgic for some. Lovers of Y2K fashion,听Tamagotchi toys, the group Destiny鈥檚 Child, and VHS cameras are definitely in for a special treat. This, and Toronto鈥檚 Chinatown, where Mei and her family听live, are all brought to life by the impressive animation, which nearly pounces off the screen. But what鈥檚 most exciting is seeing how a teen鈥檚 vibrant mind is translated. As Mei鈥檚 imagination activates, the animation follows.

Mei听hides her increasing interest in boys from听her mother with little success. And in the jungle that is middle school, even the smallest of problems can seem earth-shattering for a young person trying to come into her own.

鈥淲hen I start to get emotional, all I do is imagine the people I love most in the whole world,鈥� Mei says to her mother as part of a plea to attend a concert of her favorite boy band, despite her unpredictable condition. 鈥淭urning Red鈥� is peppered with songs and daydreams about 4*Town, a group of five (yes five, not four) singing and dancing boys who鈥檝e set the hearts of Mei and her eclectic friends on fire.

The film is not unlike other Pixar movies听where children search for autonomy 鈥� defying their parents or choosing their own path at a young age. It does offer more teen-themed topics, including references to menstruation. But 鈥淭urning Red鈥� hits its key points about coming of age with authenticity and without apology.听

Another focus听is the听intergenerational听complexity of Mei鈥檚 family. The members care about each other, but the film shows viewers the distance misguided mothers and misunderstood children can create between themselves. A lot of familial dynamics are听explored, and at times听the plot packs in more than necessary. But as the film progresses, understanding unfolds. It demonstrates how people embrace change.听

In terms of Asian representation (and diversity overall), Pixar is increasingly making up for lost time. 鈥淭urning Red鈥� joins other recent Disney films with Asian actors in lead roles such as Marvel鈥檚 鈥淪hang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings鈥� and 鈥淓ternals.鈥澨�

For many people of color, the pressure of perfection, the 鈥渕odel minority鈥� myth, swells inside with no release. Mei feels this insurmountable need to please her mother, make perfect grades, and perform well in extracurriculars. But the picture demonstrates that no matter who you are,听your family baggage does not define you. True self-love is magical, and that鈥檚 what makes a person.听

鈥淭urning Red鈥� is streaming on Disney+. It is rated PG for thematic material, suggestive content, and language.听