Turning Red (2022, PG)

*Premise spoilers.*

“Big” seems to be the best word to describe Pixar’s latest offering. This fast, noisy new movie is packed with big feelings, big laughs, and, of course, a giant red panda who dominates every space she occupies. Turning Red had me laughing out loud throughout, and tearing up more than once.

Meilin has always been a dutiful daughter, working hard to make her parents proud of her and doing everything they ask. But now that she’s 13, she starting to feel she wants to explore her own identity outside of her overprotective Type A mom’s expectations for her. After a huge moment of unexpected emotional upheaval, Mei wakes up horrified to discover that, as she starts to grow up, her body is changing in major ways. Namely? She “poofs” into a giant red panda whenever she gets too angry… or excited… or stressed… or boy-crazy. Or… you get the idea. Her mom is quick to step in with an explanation about the family blessing/“inconvenience,” and she assures Mei that there’s a ritual to banish the panda, but as Mei anxiously waits for the appointed night of the ritual, she begins to wonder if denying this part of herself is what she really wants.

I like that the giant red panda is a both apt and adorable metaphor for puberty, but I love that it also doesn’t replace discussion of actual puberty. When Mei transforms for the first time, she freaks out and locks herself in the bathroom, and her mom (hilariously) asks in a scandalized whisper, “Has the red peony bloomed?” I appreciate that Mei is such a relatably-written 13-year-old. Though she thinks of herself as very much grown up (if you don’t believe her, just ask her bus pass!), she expresses herself extensively in squees and adoring anime eyes. And her mom’s horror at Mei’s objectionably “mature” interests amount to an obsession with the beautiful but chaste members of her favorite boyband. (Also, there’s drawing cute boys as mermaids. What tween who likes cute boys hasn’t gone down that or a similar road at some point?)

The relationships are another strong point of the film. Even as the film obviously centers around this growing conflict between Mei and her mom, and even as her mom is totally domineering and helicopter-parenty, it’s clear from the start that Mei’s mom really loves her and honestly thinks she’s doing what’s best for her daughter. I know a lot of Disney/Pixar films are about conflicts between children and their parents/grandparents, but it only seems to be growing more potent over time. Additionally, Mei’s friend group is everything. Miriam, Priya, and Abby are all drawn a bit broadly but very specifically, I love seeing all the silly fun they get up to together, and it’s beautiful to see how tight-knit they are. Disney movies feature quite a few Not Like the Other Girls heroines, girls who either struggle to make friends with or are actively made fun of by their female peers. In light of that it’s wonderful that Mei is a somewhat-dorky, overexcitable girl with an embarrassing mom, but her girl friends will do anything for her. You love to see that.

Besides those things, it’s just an all-around great film. Really funny, with great comic beats and really cinematic direction to the animation (courtesy of director/cowriter Domee Shi.) There’s a decently large cast of characters, but the story juggles all of them well and they all get their own moments to shine without distracting from Mei’s story. And the emotional moments hit hard and honestly, definitely conjuring up “Pixar’s done it again!” vibes while having very different sensibilities than so much of the studio’s slate.

Rosalie Chiang gives a thoroughly endearing performance as Mei, equal parts hilarious and affecting. Her young costars—Ava Morse as Miriam, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Devi from Never Have I Ever) as Priya, and Hyein Park as Abby—all back her up with aplomb. Sandra Oh is simply stellar as Mei’s mom, flawed and real, an absolute hoot while also genuinely heartbreaking in moments. The film also features Wai Ching Ho (who I recognize best as Madame Gao from the Defenders universe) and the always-excellent James Hong.

Warnings

A little cartoon violence, some “don’t try this at home,” scary moments for kids, and a little gross-out humor.