Turning Red – A Spectacular Coming-of-Age Story (Early Review)

It’s just a shame that recent Disney and Pixar films have skipped a theatrical release for streaming though there is some valid reasoning behind it. That’s not the fault of Turning Red that is nevertheless upon us. The latest offering from Disney and Pixar is sure to hold some extra significance for Canadian viewers, specifically those from Toronto where the story is set who will get to see their city well-represented. But in the end, the film is much more than that with a grounded story that transcends the animated genre and is likely to resonate with a large portion of viewers that will find themselves laughing and crying. That story just happens to include a red panda that certainly does not disappoint. A technical marvel in its own right, it was not the only attraction to be had. A film about family and growing up and finding one’s identity through the lens of culture and history, it will take viewers on a journey alongside an extremely likable main character and a compelling mother and daughter dynamic led by Rosalie Chiang and Sandra Oh.

Turning Red follows Mei Lee (Chiang), a dorky 13-year-old high school student defined by her relationship with overprotective and overbearing mother Ming (Oh) for whom they were virtually inseparable. However, that relationship would be put to the test as one would as Mei Lee got older and was no longer her mother’s little girl. Running their family temple together, family and tradition was a big thing for them as they spent their days following in the footsteps of their ancestors just like those who came before them. Most kids do not want to disappoint their parents which was especially the case here as this fact seemingly held Mei Lee back from a normal childhood. Focusing on her academics and spending so much time with her mother, Mei Lee did not have time for much else as she strived for her approval above all else. That being said, Mei Lee still had her group of fellow pre-teen eccentric friends where she could truly be herself, a sharp contrast to her relationship with her mother.

With her mother and her friends pulling her in different directions, Mei Lee saw herself essentially living two lives. The pressures of both clearly wore on her as she grew older as things got more complicated for her as a sudden outburst of emotion triggered a transformation into a fluffy red panda. This turn of events presented its own set of challenges which only made her relationship with her mother and her friends even more complicated. While growing up and puberty meant changes, this was overkill. Despite her new ability, Mei Lee was still a kid though she may not be the best equipped to deal with it. However, she still had those support systems. Watching her deal with her circumstances wasn’t without some mistakes just like any other young person would but it was still fun to watch and relatable.

Instead of treating it as a curse, Mei Lee’s embracing of the panda made for some wholesome and hilarious moments. Placing it within a high school setting was also an interesting choice. At the end of the day, the panda gave her the kind of freedom she had never experienced and offered her a different perspective. That freedom was inevitably not going to last forever therefore the big question surrounded what Mei Lee will do moving forward. Suffice it to say that this proved to be a major turning point for her, her family, and her friends (no pun intended). Meanwhile, beneath those moments was a surprising amount of emotion as it got to the root of her issues, laying the groundwork over the course of the film and resulting in a satisfying finale. We are defined by her relationships and it made all those pieces work because of an earned emotional connection with such a likable character in Mei Lee and Ming whose life was also defined by her daughter. That relationship is the heart of Turning Red and for that, the film succeeds.

While the story stands on its own, the animation of Turning Red, takes it to another level. It’s a Disney and Pixar production therefore expectations are high in terms of its animation. Unsurprisingly, the film delivers some beautiful animation full of vibrancy and detail, capturing the breadth of emotion within its characters and environments. The city of Toronto is full of life and yet another character in the story. The highlight, however, was the titular red panda itself, be it its beautiful fur and its interactions with the film world, making it quite the sight. Ultimately, what brought it all together was Chiang and Oh and their superb performances as Mei Lee and Ming. They bring the youthful energy and the stern presence to bring their strong mother daughter dynamic to life. The equally strong writing also gave those imperfect characters depth while peeling back layers over the course of the film that make it even easier to connect with them. 

Overall, Turning Red is another winner that should be seen on as big of a screen as possible but as much as it is a spectacle, the coming-of-age story is where it truly shines.

 still courtesy of Disney

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.