Pixar Matures With Inspiring "Turning Red"
Disney•Pixar’s newest coming-of-age film, “Turning Red,” makes its appearance on screens around the world.
By Maya Ortiz
Disney•Pixar’s newest coming-of-age film, “Turning Red,” makes its appearance on screens around the world.
By Maya Ortiz
Pixar’s latest movie release “Turning Red” presents a fresh new take on coming-of-age films, with a humorous plot, broadened representation, an all-female executive team and an enormous red panda.
“Turning Red” takes place in Toronto in 2002. Meilin “Mei” Lee, voiced by Rosalie Chiang, is a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl and straight-A student. Mei has a strong personal connection to her best friends and is also strictly obedient to her family, specifically her mother, Ming, voiced by Sandra Oh. Meilin has high hopes for a new and exciting year, but is unexpectedly overwhelmed when she discovers she has a genetic curse that gives her the ability to transform into a gigantic red panda whenever she experiences severe or powerful emotions. When her friends tell her that their favorite band 4*Town is coming to Toronto, she hustles to figure out a solution to go with her friends, and avoid releasing the beast within her. Mei has to juggle her attitude toward her friends, loyalty to her family, and growing up, all while trying to control her emotions and managing to embrace her new self.
Most of the film’s inspiration, look, and final story was based on feature director and co-writer Domee Shi’s experiences of growing up. Shi is the first female director of a Pixar feature film, and also part of its all-female production team.
Shi previously wrote and directed the Pixar short film “Bao,” which gave more light to Asian characters and the Asian community. “Bao” received the Oscar for “best animated short film” in the 2019 Oscar awards.
It is fair to say that this movie contained a lot of firsts for Pixar. The film included many details and new topics, such as the discussion of period and puberty, more diverse and inclusive characters, Canada’s first on-screen Pixar appearance and a diabetic character with an insulin patch. While Disney has multiple movies with Asian leads, including lead characters from “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Mulan,” and “Big Hero 6,” this is the first Pixar movie to showcase an Asian lead character.
Furthermore, it breaks many old movie stereotypes, both physically and emotionally. Usually, female leads are usually presented as one specific body type with an unrealistic anatomy, while Mei represents a more logical and genuine main character, being more reliable and representational.
The on-screen appearance of a traditional Asian family plays a large role regarding its cultural significance, mostly because it has not really been shown in a widespread Disney movie yet. The main family dynamics and customs of Mei’s family stay true to the values and expectations found in many traditional families in real life.
However, similar to Disney’s “Encanto,” it brings to light some of the normalized family issues, such as crushing family expectations, fear of failure, and the emotional side and stance of the characters involved in toxic patterns.
Though “Turning Red” could be considered mildly cringe worthy at first sight, the small attention to detail, characters, and storyline has its charm. The combination of 2D and 3D animation and the overall cinematic style had a large effect on the stunning final feel and quality, and made the movie feel natural, yet vibrant and colorful.
“Turning Red” features classic, 2000s boy band music written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell for the boy band, 4*Town. The songs include “Nobody Like U,” “1 True Love,” and “U Know What’s Up,” performed by the band and their lead singer, Robaire, voiced by Jordan Fisher.
Overall, the theme, resolution and characteristic of “Turning Red” was quite entertaining, and gave audiences a heartwarming story. The moral and main takeaway for young viewers is to embrace themselves, even in the face of controversy, for who they are.
Disney•Pixar’s “Turning Red” premiered March 11, and is now streaming for free on Disney+.
“Turning Red” takes place in Toronto in 2002. Meilin “Mei” Lee, voiced by Rosalie Chiang, is a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl and straight-A student. Mei has a strong personal connection to her best friends and is also strictly obedient to her family, specifically her mother, Ming, voiced by Sandra Oh. Meilin has high hopes for a new and exciting year, but is unexpectedly overwhelmed when she discovers she has a genetic curse that gives her the ability to transform into a gigantic red panda whenever she experiences severe or powerful emotions. When her friends tell her that their favorite band 4*Town is coming to Toronto, she hustles to figure out a solution to go with her friends, and avoid releasing the beast within her. Mei has to juggle her attitude toward her friends, loyalty to her family, and growing up, all while trying to control her emotions and managing to embrace her new self.
Most of the film’s inspiration, look, and final story was based on feature director and co-writer Domee Shi’s experiences of growing up. Shi is the first female director of a Pixar feature film, and also part of its all-female production team.
Shi previously wrote and directed the Pixar short film “Bao,” which gave more light to Asian characters and the Asian community. “Bao” received the Oscar for “best animated short film” in the 2019 Oscar awards.
It is fair to say that this movie contained a lot of firsts for Pixar. The film included many details and new topics, such as the discussion of period and puberty, more diverse and inclusive characters, Canada’s first on-screen Pixar appearance and a diabetic character with an insulin patch. While Disney has multiple movies with Asian leads, including lead characters from “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Mulan,” and “Big Hero 6,” this is the first Pixar movie to showcase an Asian lead character.
Furthermore, it breaks many old movie stereotypes, both physically and emotionally. Usually, female leads are usually presented as one specific body type with an unrealistic anatomy, while Mei represents a more logical and genuine main character, being more reliable and representational.
The on-screen appearance of a traditional Asian family plays a large role regarding its cultural significance, mostly because it has not really been shown in a widespread Disney movie yet. The main family dynamics and customs of Mei’s family stay true to the values and expectations found in many traditional families in real life.
However, similar to Disney’s “Encanto,” it brings to light some of the normalized family issues, such as crushing family expectations, fear of failure, and the emotional side and stance of the characters involved in toxic patterns.
Though “Turning Red” could be considered mildly cringe worthy at first sight, the small attention to detail, characters, and storyline has its charm. The combination of 2D and 3D animation and the overall cinematic style had a large effect on the stunning final feel and quality, and made the movie feel natural, yet vibrant and colorful.
“Turning Red” features classic, 2000s boy band music written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell for the boy band, 4*Town. The songs include “Nobody Like U,” “1 True Love,” and “U Know What’s Up,” performed by the band and their lead singer, Robaire, voiced by Jordan Fisher.
Overall, the theme, resolution and characteristic of “Turning Red” was quite entertaining, and gave audiences a heartwarming story. The moral and main takeaway for young viewers is to embrace themselves, even in the face of controversy, for who they are.
Disney•Pixar’s “Turning Red” premiered March 11, and is now streaming for free on Disney+.