Turning Red - A Disney+ Movie Review

We all have our inner beast. Discover your path as you grow.

Turning Red was released to Disney+ in 2022. 13-year-old Mei is at that age. Whenever she gets too excited she turns into a giant red panda. Trying to figure out how to control it, Mei and her friends try to sneak out to their favorite concert.

Turning Red is a Pixar film that all teen girl audiences needed. I had the biggest smile on my face while watching this film. The moral of Turning Red is significant. Growing up is not easy. As we develop, find who you are and the passions that spark you.

Mei is an eccentric 13-year-old. Content with her life, Mei discovers new entities. Puberty. And the curse of turning into a giant red panda when she gets too excited. Mei has to resolve if it's worth the attention of her peers or remain to be herself.

Friendship is a monumental theme in Turning Red. I adored the interactions between Mei and her friends. Each sharing a different personality. that does not matter. Friends will always be here for us in difficult times.

The relationship between a mother and daughter is also examined. Mei’s mother is over-protective, but it's because she loves her daughter. Let children be who they want to be. It’s the only way they’ll discover themselves.

Voice talents for Turning Red include Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Maitreya Ramakrishnan, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho, Tristan Allerick Chen, and more. All the actors emotionally connected to their characters.

Some viewers complained about one of the subplots in the film. The girls are trying to figure out how to see a concert. This is a relatable storyline. Whether it’s a concert or any other event, this is something that all teenagers want to do once they are old enough.

The animation is different compared to other Pixar films. Character animation is very expressive, like anime style. It was a little distracting at times. Overall, the animators did an incredible job, especially when Mei first turns into the Panda.

I enjoyed the wild sequence with Mei running around town. While the animation emulates the atmosphere of the film, I would prefer Pixar didn’t use this animation for all their upcoming films.

Pixar achieved new grounds. Turning Red is the first Pixar film to mention the menstrual cycle. I wish that I had this movie when I was eleven when I got my first period. Young women have needed a film like this for a long time. Talking about the menstrual cycle is not something to ignore - especially in media. Turning Red aids young girls in their direction of womanhood.

In her directorial debut, Domee Shi innovated family, friendship, and coming-of-age in Turning Red. Culture is also given respectful representation. Shi included moments in the story that I was not expecting, like the subplot with the dad and an unexpected friend for Mei. There could have been a little more conflict to it, particularly when Mei first transforms into the panda.

I will say that the ending is intense. Mei and her mother have a big argument which may scare younger audiences. Before watching this film, I would suggest to parents to have a talk with their kids regarding any themes they may not understand.

This film should have been on the big screen. It’s a shame that it went straight to Disney+. Still, I highly recommend that you don’t skip out on watching Turning Red. It’s a feel-good adventure for all. Watch it with your friends.