As it has been a while since I last watched a Disney-Pixar movie, I was ecstatic to find a new feature on Disney+! Our entire childhoods seem to revolve around Disney-Pixar movies, so I feel a personal responsibility to watch new releases and see how they stack up against older, nostalgic movies. As a whole, Turning Red (2022) is worth the watch, no matter how old you are.
Turning Red follows Mei Lee, a 13-year-old Asian-Canadian girl living in Toronto who is torn between her familial obligations and the mayhem that is middle school. The movie deals with puberty in a metaphorical way; rather than bleeding during her first menstrual period, she turns into a giant, red panda. However, a younger audience may not fully understand or pick up on the panda transformation as a metaphor for menstruation and puberty. Watching this as an 18-year-old college student was a very different experience from that of a 13-year-old adolescent, who may not have entered puberty yet. I appreciated that the film utilized a metaphor, as it seems to resonate with a younger audience more strongly. It definitely helps that the red panda is adorable!
Some controversial reviews have circulated online, with parents disapproving of the portrayal of menstruation, sexuality, and rebelling against parents. However, according to The New York Times, child psychologists believe that the movie is more likely to spark important conversations between parents and children about maturation by acknowledging the adolescent experience rather than cause rebellious behavior. I would agree with this, since the movie portrays the relationship between an adolescent and their parents pretty accurately and validates the adolescent experience.
While Turning Red came out this year, it is set in the early 2000s, taking me back to that era and bringing back many nostalgic memories like electronic Tamagotchis. I really loved Mei as a main character. She is quirky, spirited, and extremely determined. The connections she has with both her friends and family are really special in my opinion. The ending of the movie feels incredibly heartwarming, showcasing that puberty is a significant part of our adolescent lives and something that we can accept and develop a healthy mindset around.
Overall, I wouldn’t say it’s my all-time favorite Disney-Pixar movie, but it’s certainly up there for me. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and recommend watching if you have some free time on your hands.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/16/well/family/turning-red-periods-discussion.html