Animation Heads: Turning Red

Hey folks, Jackson, Kyle, and Anthony here. And we’re the animation heads! Today we’ll give you our thoughts on Turning Red.

Turning Red is a 2022 animated film produced by Pixar Animation. It was directed by Domee Shi, in her feature directorial debut. Turning Red had its world premiere on March 1, and was released on the Disney+ streaming service on March 11, along with simultaneous limited runs at the El Capitan Theatre and AMC Empire 25.

Mei Lee is a 13-year-old girl who is torn between being her mother’s obedient daughter and the chaos of her youth. As if that were not enough, when she gets too excited, she turns into a big red panda.

Jackson’s Thoughts:

Pixar’s newest animated film is a sweet coming-of-age story with touching moments, a sweet storyline, and lots of relatable cringe. A fun, quirky, and sometimes painful adventure with real characters, Turning Red is a great slice of life, but not quite for everybody.

Score:

6.5/10

Kyle’s Thoughts:

Turning red felt like it was trying really hard to be relatable. There were some comedic moments, and it helped the Pixar theory, and that is all keeping the movie alive. 

Score:

4/10

Anthony’s Thoughts:

The reviews are in! Disney/Pixar’s Turning Red is……actually pretty good. The thing that surprised me the most was how funny the film was. There were a lot of reactions, especially when Mei is trying to hide any embarrassment from her mom, that got a genuine laugh. The story is pretty standard. A rebellious kid trying to break away from her overprotective parents. Been there, done that. But it is the execution that makes the film worth watching. The main characters feel dynamic, it really factors into the relationship between Mei and her mom. The only time it felt like a little much was with the climax. I will not spoil it, but let’s just say it is a literal and figuratively mother-daughter fight that feels over-the-top. The animation is shipshape, as usual for Pixar. The biggest strength is the character’s emotions, both facial and body. Mei and her friends feel like 13 year old teens, with their awkward dances and big facial expressions. The backgrounds are colorful. Also the panda transformations were well executed. A Pixar film worthy for the whole family, what else is new? I probably should have seen this coming. That is why you don’t judge a film based on its trailer. Two thumbs up! 

Score:

7.5/10