Turning Red is an upcoming 2022 American animated film directed by Domee Shi and produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios. The movie revolves around the curse of the red panda that has been passed down from generation to generation in the Lee family. Unlike typical horror movies, this curse is something that transforms one into an adorable red panda. The story follows Meilin Lee, a Chinese-Canadian girl who struggles to lead a normal life as the curse takes over her every time her emotions run high.
Mei, as she is fondly called, is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives in Toronto with her parents, Ming Lee and Jin Lee. Her family owns a small temple next to their house, which is dedicated to their ancestor Sun Yee. Mei spends most of her time taking care of the temple and obeying her mother’s strict rules. She is a smart and polite young girl who has a hard time making friends due to her mother’s overprotective nature.
Mei’s life takes a turn when she starts transforming into a red panda suddenly and uncontrollably. Her hair turns red, and she becomes an adorable little creature, much to everyone’s amazement. Mei tries to keep her transformation a secret, but her friends soon find out and are fascinated by her new look. However, things take a dark turn when Mei realizes that her transformation is part of a curse that has been plaguing her family for generations.
The curse of the red panda is a curse that affects every member of the Lee family, particularly the women, when they reach a certain age. They turn into red pandas when their emotions become too overwhelming, and their hair turns red permanently. This curse has been passed down from generation to generation, and Mei is the latest victim of this curse.
As the story progresses, Mei learns more about the curse and how it has affected her family. Her mother reveals that their ancestors were given the power to transform into red pandas to protect their children from harm. This means that Mei has inherited this power too. However, the curse comes with a price. Mei struggles to control her emotions and her transformation, which puts her family and friends in danger.
The movie’s themes include family, self-discovery, and the struggles that come with growing up. Mei learns that she can control her transformation by facing her fears and becoming more confident in herself. She also learns the importance of family support and loyalty. Throughout the movie, Mei also learns to make new friends and embrace her unique qualities.
With Turning Red, Domee Shi continues to explore themes of family and identity that she introduced in her Oscar-winning short film Bao. The film features an all-Asian cast of voice actors, including Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Orion Lee, and James Hong. With its captivating story and adorable characters, Turning Red promises to be a heartwarming and entertaining movie for all ages.
In conclusion, Turning Red is a heartwarming and entertaining animated movie that tells the story of a girl named Mei who struggles to come to terms with her family’s curse. The movie explores themes of family, self-discovery, and the struggles that come with growing up. Mei’s journey is one that will resonate with audiences of all ages, and the movie promises to be a fun and exciting adventure for the whole family to enjoy.
