"Turning Red" 2022 Disney movie review.

Turning Red

This critic had a serious crush on a boy a year older than her when they were in middle school, when she was still a young adolescent.

I don't remember if we were already dating when I made the stupid mistake of writing his name and some sappily romantic words in my notebook one evening, not realizing that my annoyingly overprotective detective mother would soon find the humiliating pad. The moment she snatched the notebook out from under me (I had attempted to hide the proof of my first love by sitting on it in desperation), I recall sweating in shame, terror, uncertainty, and panic as she began flipping through the pages in complete amazement and rage.

Imagine my shock as I saw the 13-year-old main character of Oscar-winning "Bao" director Domee Shi's superb animation "Turning Red" go through a similar scenario with her own mother! The protagonist in question is Meilin (Rosalie Chiang), a high achiever who is growing up too quickly in her Chinese-Canadian family and in early 2000s Toronto while dealing with her changing body and developing hormones. She may be a bit awkward straight-A student, but nobody could stop her from admiring all the attractive boys, especially the store clerk who she and her best friends constantly drool about. That includes her strict, willowy mother Ming (Sandra Oh), who in utter shock comes across Mei's sketchbook of provocative heartthrob drawings. In the midst of managing all these tremendous feelings, what is Mei to do but literally turn red and POOF, transform into a fuzzy, monstrously cute red panda? (I wonder why I didn't consider this when I was similarly busted. And more importantly, when I was a kid, where was this movie?

And that is the brilliance of "Turning Red," a daring, blatantly hormonal PG film that immediately fills a gaping hole in the lives of awkward, unique female youths who may be beginning to emerge from their childhood cocoons with a discord of bewildering awakenings and sexual urges. Coming from Pixar, a studio that can always be relied upon for a healthy dose of thoughtful, adult nostalgia as well as a good old-fashioned coming-of-age narrative, that accomplishment may not come as much of a surprise. After all, weren't some of the most brilliant characters of the fiercely inventive animation studio—from the talking dolls of the "Toy Story" franchise to the corporeal feelings of "Inside Out," the disobedient princess of "Brave," and the aspiring young musician of "Coco"—glory defined by its defining preoccupations? Even for the studio that produced the iconic animated sci-fi film "WALL-E," "Turning Red" (which deserves much better than the straight-to-streaming fate Disney has placed upon it) feels innovative and unexpected. To begin with, a Disney female has never before been asked, "Has the red peony blossomed?" in reference to the beginning of her menstrual cycle.

In that sense, "Turning Red" serves as both a successful thematic homecoming for the business and a welcome departure from the Pixar canon, which is, with a few notable exceptions, often overrun with stories that focus on men. Even better, it has a recognized core that is reminiscent of "Teen Wolf" and other heroic stories (the 1985 one). Stories of youngsters and men hiding behind their alter personas as they try to make sense of the new lenses they have on for the world. Shi and Julia Cho's "Turning Red" passes this well-worn baton to Mei, who uses the Chinese-Canadian protagonist to unearth something that is both culturally particular and universal. It is clear that the co-authors crafted the protagonist with a ton of fond memories and personal insights.

Following Mei when she discovers her inner red panda and realizes that the pink beast won't take over as long as she maintains a cool, collected exterior devoid of emotions with a little assistance from her companions is undoubtedly enjoyable. Who knows, she might perhaps have a typical life and even enjoy herself occasionally. But when you're a teenage girl who defines herself by her erratic mood swings and the time she spends with her similarly frenetic group of pals, that's easier said than done. Mei's childhood friends include the sarcastic Abby (Hyein Park), the rebellious Miriam (Ava Morse), and the laid-back Priya (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan). Together, the famous four struggle to see their favorite boy band 4*Town perform live as they swing from one issue to another. (The five-piece band does appear in the movie with some of their real bangers, composed by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell.) However, Mei's stuffed red panda caused them to somewhat adjust their plans, and now the friends are faced with a decision that will have an impact on the future of the little Mei.

It turned out that Mei had been cursed by a magic that had been passed down via the female members of her family. And it can only be broken if she voluntarily engages in a taxing rite that would permanently tuck away her annoyance alter-ego. Shi skillfully creates a traditional story of generational conflict between Mei and her mother through this conundrum, filling their unity and contradictions with thoughtful details of their urban life, such as the family temple they run as a tourist attraction, the elaborate, painstakingly prepared meals, and the ingrained domestic support within their family. The animation style rises to the challenge, vividly portraying Mei's world with the same level of complexity Shi and Cho conjure up on the page. It is infused with traditional motifs, interludes of anime, and a zippy energy. Turning Red flickers with a vibrant feminine spirit that feels new, crimson-deep, and unabashedly rebellious, even though the movie's overly bloated ending overpowers some of the leaner moments that came before it.