The Stream: Annoying mom and a little bit corny

The Big Screen: Fun and Funny Characters

The Final Bill: A fun family movie that while a little corny is quite full of energy and life

– S2S: Movie Review
Director: Domee Shi
Writers: Domee Shi (story by), Julia Cho (story by), Sarah Streicher (story by)
Stars: Rosalie Chiang (voice), Sandra Oh (voice), Ava Morse (voice)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes
Production Companies: Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures
Platform: Disney+ released March 11, 2022

Welcome back, Streamers! We have another jammed packed weekend of streaming options. Speaking of that, really get around to the different streaming options Prime, Netflix, HBO Max, Paramount+, Disney Plus, Hulu, and etc. I have found that these options are overflowing with new content and especially movies that have been in the theater as recently as a month ago. Expand your horizons and check out some of these films for “free”. Speaking of the Panda (or devil), this weekend Disney and Pixar released Turning Red on Disney+. I love a family flick and animation gold. Let’s see how this turned out.

As Disney/Pixar give the following synopsis: “Turning Red follows Mei Lee (voice of Rosalie Chiang) a confident, quirky 13-year-old who is trying to balance being her mother’s dutiful daughter and the wild young woman she wants to be and adolescence is calling. We watch as her helicopter mom, Ming (voice of Sandra Oh), hovers over Mei Lee blowing away her chances of being normal. And as it turns out she’s not so normal when she suddenly “poofs” into a giant red panda.” Teen hijinks and early 2000s references ensue. I know you’re intrigued by this and you should be. Interestingly enough, this film is set in Toronto. Can I just say how much I quietly enjoy that fact. The movie being set in Toronto is cool because it’s not the typical town particularly for one featuring an Asian lead. It’s about time we realize, accept, and normalize the existence of Asian culture, heritage, and families across the globe, particularly in most major cities in North America, but I digress.

First and foremost, Mei Lee and her gang are so much fun and funny. The energy radiates off the screen. In fact, all of the voice actors do a really good job of conveying/hitting their lines. Especially Sandra Oh (who is great in general), who if you wanted to be annoyed by an overbearing mom, you found your character. The cast and writing really gives us 2002 8th grade vibes to the Disney Max. The references, especially with the boy band love is really fun and nostalgic. Second, Pixar and Disney always do a great job with these films. Dazzling animation, emotional storytelling, and everything that goes with it is just something they deliver. Now, the storyline isn’t the most revolutionary, but it is done quite tastefully. I can absolutely see families sitting down after watching this movie and using this movie as the talking point to open lines of communication, expound upon the moral or reinforce family values. Do I think Turning Red does this better than other Pixar and Disney classics/new bangers… maybe not? But it’s close enough. There’s a lot of topics from changing bodies to growing up to parenting limitations to exploring who you want to be that the movie touches upon.

Ultimately, Turning Red might not match the upper levels of Pixar/Disney animated movies, but it’s still really good. I mean honestly, that’s a hard top 10 to break into if were being honest but number 11, 12, or 13 isn’t so bad! Turning Red is a bunch of fun and has good message for our preteens and their parents. Families definitely should grab a big box for this streaming flick and everyone else you don’t have to rush to see it, but you’ll also enjoy.