Turning Red [2022]

An Asian Canadian coming out of age story, Turning Red takes the fluffiness up a notch with a cute giant red panda and a flurry of Canadian easter eggs.

Heartwarming, humorous, beautifully animated, and culturally expansive, Turning Red extends Pixar’s long list of family-friendly triumphs while diversifying its representation. Who doesn’t like a giant cute puppy eyed red panda?

Frankly, there’s a special kind of joy that comes from watching a film that’s completely confident in its eccentricities. One made by a filmmaker who seemingly got the chance to execute their vision uncompromised. Plus, it helps to have one of the best animation studio and some of the best voice cast.

Starring Rosalie Chiang as Meilin and Sandra Oh as Ming, her mom, I was happily surprise. Coming into the movie, I assumed it’s just another iteration of the Disney and Pixar formula. It’s that, and much more. Chiang shines as the eccentric 13 years old confident girl that’s not afraid of the world in the biggest Canadian city, Toronto. In addition, Sandra Oh is the perfect mom turned momma bear, or red panda in this case.

Cast and animation aside, the movie is basically about puberty. If you replace an angry animal with puberty, you know what I mean. Some hints were subtle, other were just in your face, if you know where to look. “Your emotions go wild and turn you into a wild animal who snaps and snarls at your parents” is hardly a subtle one, but puberty itself isn’t subtle. Anyone who has gone through puberty or from an immigrant family will find something to relate to in Turning Red.

Should you watch it?

Though it retains the familiar magic of the legendary studio, Turning Red stands out as a bold, and long overdue, landmark in representation. It is funnier, cleverer and more honest than you might expect.

Where can I watch it?

You can stream Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red exclusively on Disney+ everywhere.