‘Turning Red’ Review: Wraps You in an Emotional Blanket of Warmth

As a guy in his 30s, I will admit that I am nowhere near the target audience for Pixar’s Turning Red. The animated film follows a teenage girl as she navigates puberty and becoming a so-called adult. In typical Pixar fashion, its represented by having her literally turning into a red panda whenever she becomes too emotional. Also in typical Pixar fashion, the film’s themes and ideas are universal and can connect with anyone. Turning Red is fun, wholesome, and adorably cute. It wraps you in an emotional blanket of warmth, although there’s no need to worry about turning into a giant red panda yourself.

Mei (Rosalie Chiang) is now 13 years old and, according to herself, a full-fledged adult. According to her, that means being able to make her own decisions and be more independent. What she didn’t expect was the flood of new emotions that come without any warning. Things start out innocent enough with new crushes on boys, but one day she wakes up and realizes that she has transformed into the body of a giant red panda. Her mother on the other hand, knew exactly what to expect because she too went though the same transformation when she was young. It turns out Mei’s family comes from a long line of descendants who were blessed with the gift of turning into a red panda, although Mei sees it as more of a curse.

Turning Red is a coming-of-age tale with a tail. I’ll be upfront and say that I have no idea what it’s like going through puberty as a young girl, but the film does a good job at capturing youth itself and the awkwardness that comes hand in hand with growing into your own person. Mei has been the picture perfect daughter to her strict parents, excelling at school and helping out at the shrine the family runs together. She’s also a great friend to Miriam, Priya, and Abby. The four spend their days hanging out, dancing, and crushing on 4*Town, the hottest boy band in music. Taking place in 2002, the film is a nostalgic trip into the past. Digital pets and mixed CDs are common place, and as someone who was the same age around the same time, Turning Red definite hits that sweet spot where hanging out with your friends was everything.

Everything turns to chaos when Mei turns into a red panda. At first it’s a terrifying experience, but Mei is quickly able to get a hold of her emotions and control her panda. According to her mother, however, her panda is something to be suppressed and contained through a ritual that will lock it away in a piece of jewelry. This causes tension between Mei and her mother, and much of the film is spent exploring their delicate relationship. Growing up always comes with a certain amount of rebellion against parents and authority, and Turning Red puts their combative conflict at its core. Kids watching the film will no doubt connect with Mei, while older adults can clearly see her mom’s view point better. Hopefully by the end of the film everyone will be able to meet in the middle and have a better understanding.

Overall that’s what Turning Red is all about. We shouldn’t hid our emotions and lock them away, but rather embrace what they may bring forward. Sometimes they can be destructive as a giant red panda might be, but it’s typically better than bottling everything in and letting your emotions boil over into something much worse. Pixar has always done a phenomenal job at presenting complex emotions and themes in simple and easy to understand stories that are perfect for kids. Turning Red is no exception.

Visually, the animated film is another stunning entry to Pixar’s filmography. Mei is ridiculously cute and adorable as a red panda as she playfully bounces around the screen. As wonderful it is to watch the film in the comfort of your homes on Disney+, it’s a shame the film isn’t playing in theaters. Fur has never looked so soft and cuddly before, and I wish I could just collapse into a big warm hug from red panda Mei just like her friends do.

Turning Red has plenty of universal themes, but to imagine its young Asian audience watching the film and connecting with it in the same manner that I connected with Coco makes it exceptionally special. We need more films like it. Pixar’s latest is fun, wholesome, and adorably cute. I may not connect with every one of its themes, but as a red panda lover, it has my heart forever.