Turning Red by Domee Shi
Review by Merrin K.-K., Youth Reviewer
"Turning Red" is a coming-of-age film about 13-year old Mei who struggles between her own identity and pressure to follow the family tradition. After a series of embarrassing incidents instigated by her mother, Mei discovers her ability to turn into a giant red panda while experiencing strong emotions.
Disney has recently been moving in a direction that focuses more on the experiences of people of colour with different cultural backgrounds, and it is much needed. This also applies to including strong women with different body types. In recent years, kids can finally see themselves represented on screen. (That is if they’re straight and cis-gendered.)
The main group of protagonists was charming, the soundtrack memorable, and the animation as flawless as ever. However, in terms of actual themes and societal impact, the film falls short. The beginning of the movie heavily presses the theme of respecting your ancestors, and while we see this develop throughout the film, I felt as though I was grasping at straws for a clear conclusion. One major point of criticism from critics is the mention of menstruation in a children’s film. Unfortunately, half the world does indeed menstruate, so this is a rather applicable topic even if it makes some people squeamish.
To conclude, "Turning Red" is yet another cookie-cutter modern Disney film that features a strong girl connecting to her culture and finding her place in the world. Call me back when there’s a trans or non-binary character who isn’t just coded.