Turning Red: more than just a girl going through puberty

Turning Red is the newest Disney and Pixar film which had limited theater screens while being fully available on Disney+. There was a bit of shock and outrage from Pixar when Disney decided to not put the film into movie theaters and place it on the streaming service. Inspired by her childhood, writer, director and producer, Domee Shi, brings the story to life in Turning Red. Shi was born in Chongqing, Sichuan, and immigrated to Canada at the age of 2 with her parents. They eventually settled in Toronto. She has worked on many Pixar films including Inside Out (2015) before writing and directing Pixar’s short, Bao (2017) which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. As usual, I will write a brief synopsis of the film, then discuss what I liked and my response to criticism of the film. 

Set in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2002, Turning Red is the story of Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), a confident, dorky thirteen-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl. She is the dutiful daughter who does well in school, excels at her extracurriculars and helps out at the family temple. But she is also a typical teenager who loves the popular boy band and crushes on a local older boy. She becomes torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and being her own individual self. Add in the chaos of adolescence, conflicts over friendships and a family secret. Her protective, and slightly, overbearing mother, Ming, (voiced by Sandra Oh), is never far from her daughter. When a popular boy band is coming to Toronto, Mei, along with her friends Miriam (voiced by Ava Morse), Priya (voiced by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and Abby (voiced by Hyein Park), set up a plan to attend the concert, with or without their parents’ permission. Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be worse when the family secret rears its ugly head and Mei turns into a giant red panda every time she experiences strong emotions. She can get rid of the transformation at the next red moon but will she want to? 

There were a few aspects of Turning Red that I liked. First, its openness. It doesn’t shy away from the rebellion that is often a feature of growing up. Mei is torn between honoring her parents and honoring herself. It is a stage and decision that every child will come to as they grow into adulthood. It also doesn’t shy away from periods. In one scene, after Mei first turns into a panda, her mother thinks she has gotten her period, or as she called it, “the red peony,” and is prepared. Unfortunately, many parents do not prepare for this moment for their daughters and are often caught unaware when it occurs. If this film opens the conversations between mothers and daughters about puberty and periods, that is a great thing. Second, the full acceptance of friends. When Mei reveals the panda to her friends, they are immediately accepting. Mei cries that she’s a freak and Miriam replies “You’re our girl.” They stood by her as she struggled to contain and come to terms with this transformation. It is important that we have a support system through our good times and our struggles. I liked that the film shows that type of friendship. 

While overwhelmingly praised, Turning Red had created a firestorm online. First, many parents were upset that it dared discuss puberty and periods. I have read parental reviews online and many parents were shocked at the topics and angry at Disney. To those parents, I must say, do your research! Any movie, book or tv program geared at kids should not be taken on blind faith as appropriate for your child, Read into it, watch it yourself and decide if you want your child to be exposed to the programs. That is your responsibility as a parent. Second, Clarissa Cruz (2022), writes that “normalizing the emotional and physical messiness of puberty” is refreshing. However, that hasn't be the overall sentiment. In a now deleted review, Sean O’Connell of CinemaBlend called the movie limiting and exhausting (Shivaram, 2022) I’m not sure how the film can be limiting and exhausting, unfortunately, I think Mr O’Connell is being a typical male who is uncomfortable with the topic of female puberty and periods. Gasp! Third, I don't think the fact that the movie features an Asian family and culture takes away from the overall message. While there are some cultural differences when it comes to puberty and coming of age, I believe there is an universality to the story. My oldest daughter who is 10 absolutely loved the movie and related to Mei and her friends.

Turning Red is not a absolute favorite for me. I didn’t have the same emotional response to it as I did with Coco (2017) or Encanto (2021). After watching the film, I was conflicted about how I felt and how the story would deal with puberty and periods. However, after discussing the film with my oldest daughter, I appreciated and enjoyed that it was brave enough to discuss the often taboo topics. It is a stage of life that we all go through, by being open and having honest conversations with our children can lead to a deeper relationship with trust. With that trust, a child would hopefully feel comfortable enough to come to their parents with any questions and for any topic. If Turning Red can be a catalyst to opening that door for parents and children to have that conversation or any meaningful conversation, then I recommend Turning Red. 

References

Cruz, Clarissa (March 13, 2022). What Turning Red means to me as an AAPI parent. Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/movies/what-turning-red-means-aapi-parents/?fbclid=IwAR2QiU6_80CkMVCCVjiz2ZsYU915p5vA1Ls7-zeGTUjo81vmYRWXc5VQlPk. Retrieved April 4, 2022.  

Shivaram, Deepa (March 12, 2022). 'Turning Red' is a turning point for Asians in film. Why is it seen as unrelatable?. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/03/12/1086040083/turning-red-controversy. Retrieved April 4, 2022. 

Toy Story 4: a good family film that tells a similar story

When Toy Story was released in 1995, it was an instant hit and launched the Disney Pixar studio into stardom. Their future films have been major hits with a few misses, overall Pixar could be counted on for a great movie. However, when Disney Pixar announced that they were releasing a fourth Toy Story film, I was skeptical. Was a fourth film necessary? Toy Story 4 was released in theaters on June 21, 2019 to rave reviews and went on to earn $1.071 billion worldwide. It was released on Blu-ray, DVD and digital streaming in October 2019. I recently got the opportunity to watch the movie and while it was a good film, it told the same tired story.

The film opens 9 years ago, before the events of Toy Story 3 (2010) with Bo Peep (voiced by Annie Potts), her sheep and the lamp she stands on are donated to another family. Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is determined to save her but Bo is refuses to return to the house, telling Woody she is not Andy’s toy and “it’s time for the next kid.” Woody reluctantly lets her go. Fast forward to the present day and life with Bonnie. Woody is not Bonnie’s favorite as she prefers to play with Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack) and the others. That day is special as Bonnie is starting kindergarten and it is orientation. Woody thinks a toy should go with her despite hearing from Bonnie’s dad that toys are not allowed at school. Woody sneaks into her backpack and watches as she struggles in school. While at school, Bonnie creates Forky (voiced by Tony Hale) and instantly attached. For the final week before school officially starts, Bonnie and her parents go on vacation and while on vacation, Forky gets lost, Woody leaves to rescue him and the other toys must find a way to get Forky and Woody back before Bonnie realizes they are gone.

There are three things I liked about the film. First, it was a great story despite the familiar plot (I’ll get into that last). It had touching moments and great humor. It had the nostalgia about childhood toys and dreams while presenting a lesson about letting go and moving on with just memories to keep. Second, Woody’s place in the ending. I won’t discuss it, but it was a fitting ending. My husband and I both got misty eyed as it was a great moment. The ending of this film makes it clear that this is the final film. Even Tom Hanks in interview has hinted that this is the final film. Third, the Easter Eggs. You can always count on Pixar putting great Easter Eggs into their films. Whether it is a shout out to other Pixar films like Finding Nemo (2003) and Up (2009) or connections to the other Toy Story films.

There is one main thing I didn’t like about this film. The plot was too familiar. A toy needs to be recused. Toy Story (1995) has Woody trying to get himself and Buzz back to Andy when his jealous got them separated from him. Toy Story 2 (1999) had Buzz on a mission to rescue Woody after he was taken, and they must return before Andy returns home from camp. Toy Story 3 (2010) has Woody on a mission to rescue the others when they are mistakenly donated to a day care and he must do so before Andy leaves for college. Familiar? Very. Any story needs a villain. Something to fight against. The Toy Story films have evil toys. While the first film, technically didn’t have an evil toy, Woody was essentially the villain as his jealousy got him and Buzz into their desperate situation. The second film had The Prospector who was trying to keep Woody with the collection to the Japanese museum. The third film had Lotso who was like a mafia crime boss who used terror to control the weaker toys. The fourth film has Gabby Gabby (voiced by Christian Hendricks) who had henchmen to do her bidding.

Overall, it was a good film that kids will enjoy. However, it was just a rehash of previous plots and characters with just enough to make it look different. Children will enjoy this film as they have enjoyed the other Toy Story films. However, Pixar, if you are listening, Toy Story 4 needs to be the finale. All good things must come to an end and let Toy Story 4 be it. At some point, it stops being innovative and starts being lazy. Keep being innovative with new stories and characters and stop rehashing old ones.

Captain Marvel: an entertaining popcorn movie

Captain Marvel opened on March 8, 2019 and it was met with mixed reviews. Some loved it, some hated it and others didn’t know quite what to think. Many fans claimed the movie was filled with a feminist agenda. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the pair also wrote the screenplay along with Geneva Robertson-Dworet. It stars Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Vers/Captain Marvel, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and Jude Law as Yon-Rogg. Many fans were upset that the filmmakers changed the origin story of Captain Marvel and the related characters. I was unfamiliar with the comic character going into the film, so I was curious to see if I would see the same things. I saw the film recently and there were things I did like and things I didn’t like.

The film opens with Vers waking up from a disturbing dream with flashes of a life she doesn’t recognize. She is a member of the Kree Starforce and Yon-Rogg (played by Jude Law) is her commander and mentor. The Kree and the Skrulls, a race of shapeshifters, have been embattled in a long war and during a mission, Vers is captured by the Skrulls. Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn) and taps her mind in order find information. This action causes her to see more images she is unfamiliar with and she eventually escapes their shackles. During her escape, she crash lands on Earth. Soon after, she encounters Agent Fury (long before he is director of SHIELD) and they eventually team up to discover who she really is and what the Kree and the Skrulls are after on Earth. Vers finally learns who she really is and what happened that lead her to be on Hala, the Kree capital. She learns she has been lied to and who the true villain is in this story. The final battle ensues as she embraces her true identity. Before leaving Earth, Carol gives Fury a pager, designed to call her in an emergency.

There was a lot I did like about the film. First, the opening scroll, which usually features the various MCU characters, was used as a tribute to Stan Lee, who had passed away before the film’s release. That was cool and emotional to see. Second, I like the character of Carol Danvers. She’s the girl who got back up when everyone else told her to quit. A powerful message for everyone who has ever been told they can’t or shouldn’t do something or be something. And I liked Brie Larson as Carol. Many reviewers complained about her robotic acting; but it makes sense in the context of the story. She had been molded by the Kree for six years with no memory, she was vulnerable to what they told her. Yon-Rogg tells her during a fight training scene, “There’s nothing more dangerous to a war than emotion. Humor is a distraction. Anger only serves the enemy” (since when is humor an emotion, but I digress). By the end of the film, she does lighten up a bit, laughs and smiles.  Third, I enjoyed the explanation on how Nick Fury lost his eye. Many people thought it was weak, but it makes sense. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Nick tells Steve Rogers “Last time I trusted someone, I lost an eye.” We learn in this film, that it was Goose, a Flerken disguised as a cat. In a previous scene, after Goose had devoured a few enemies, Fury picks up Goose and says, “I’m trusting you not to eat me.” So, Fury wasn’t lying when he said he trusted someone who eventually took his eye.

Now for what I didn’t like. First, the soundtrack. It was underwhelming. Yes, they were hit songs from the 90s, with one or two exceptions. Majority of the songs were great like Heart’s Crazy on You and TLC’s Waterfalls, but others were annoying obvious like No Doubt’s Just a Girl. While they were great songs, they just did not feel like they belonged or had the same impact that both Guardians of the Galaxy soundtracks did. It was almost like they just randomly decided to play a song here or there, apart from Just a Girl. However, the musical score by Pinar Toprak was good and I enjoyed it as I watched. Second, the de-aging was off. I got used to Fury’s younger face, but Coulson’s was kind of creepy and hard to watch. Luckily, he wasn’t in much of the film. Third, the overall feel of the film was fragmented. It had great buddy moments between Carol and Fury and between Carol and her friend, Maria (played by Lashana Lynch). It had entertaining fight scenes and humorous moments. But it didn’t feel cohesive.

In conclusion, overall, I enjoyed this film. It wasn’t as bad as I was led to believe. However, it wasn’t a great that was claimed by others. It’s not my favorite MCU film, but I will watch it again. The film vaguely connects to the other films; but you do not need to see this film in order to watch Avengers: Endgame (2019). I also did not see the so-called “feminist agenda” that many reviewers have claimed. There was certainly a message of empowerment but not just for girls. I can see how anyone can be empowered by this story. It has the message that we all need to work together as a team, just as Captain Marvel and Nick Fury needed each other to win the day. I recommend Captain Marvel.