Since Toy Story, in 1995, Pixar created a rich variety of worlds rooted in reality as well as fantasy worlds. After plunging into the depths of the Italian Riviera with Luke and looking into the life of a New York jazz musician in Drunk (Soul), the studio travels back in time to 2002, following in the footsteps of a dynamic 13-year-old schoolgirl of Chinese origin who is learning to manage her emotions… in Toronto.
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References to Canadian specificity are amusing to detect, in an animated film of universal scope, which humorously explores the chaotic passage from childhood to adolescence.
Director Domee Shi, who was born in China and raised in Toronto, rose to prominence in 2018 with her animated short Bao, from Pixar, which won an Oscar, and which illustrated the difficulties of a mother to accept that her son flies on his own. In Turning Red (Red alert in French version), she confidently takes control of her first animated feature, becoming the first director at Pixar to achieve it solo. This time, she takes an empathetic look at the relationship between a protective mother and her 13-year-old daughter in search of independence. This situation is far from being commonplace in a family of Chinese origin living in the shadow of the CN tower (often highlighted), and whose expectations of the young Mei are immense. The latter must excel in all her subjects, including mathematics and French, where she obtains the mark Very good (this is also one of the only references to the language of Molière).
IMAGE PROVIDED BY PIXAR
When Mei is overwhelmed with emotions, she transforms into a giant red panda.
Except that puberty comes suddenly and the self-confident schoolgirl, to whom Rosalie Chiang lends her voice, is overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. When these become intense, the teenager turns, to her dismay, into a giant red panda. She gradually learns to control the emergence of the huge furry beast, with the help of her three best friends. The quartet is inseparable and has in common an unconditional love for the members of a pop music group, 4*Town.
This element is far from fortuitous, since the action is set in 2002, during the golden age of boy bands like Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync. Mei and her friends’ enthusiasm for the band inspires them to do everything in their power to attend his concert. Their enthusiasm is palpable and their innocence stands out, in a scenario written with finesse by Domee Shi and Julia Cho.
The mother, Ming Lee, overprotective, could have had a thankless role. She’s quite endearing and funny, thanks to Sandra Oh (Killing Eve, Grey’s Anatomy). Each inflection of her voice reflects the love she feels for her daughter and the anguish that grips her at the idea of harm happening to her.
The raw emotions of adolescence fit perfectly with the visual design of the animated feature film, which testifies to director Domee Shi’s passion for anime. The universe depicted is also that of the young Mei, whether it is Chinatown where she lives, the family temple she takes care of with her mother, the school she attends or the streets of Toronto that she borrow. Her world is warm, filled with pastel hues and bright colors, such as green and red, and allusions to her Asian roots abound. The scene where his father prepares a meal is particularly beautiful.
As for the allusions to the Canadian nationality of the characters, these are slipped in here and there. For example, Mei’s pajama top and woolen toque feature maple leaves, a sign outside her school advertises Native Canadian History Month, a box of Timbits donut holes found in the middle of Chinese foods, etc. There is even a very amusing allusion to Celine Dion. Implicitly also appears the multicultural character of large Canadian cities.
Some scenes, which reflect Mei’s fear and apprehensions, would be intense for toddlers. But the work, which features three songs by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS, one of which is particularly catchy, is fundamentally positive and joyful. It will resonate as much with teenagers as adults, who will have fun recognizing themselves. Some will even regret a little not having been so guided, when they were going through this critical age themselves.
Available exclusively on Disney+
Animation Film
Turning Red (VF: Red alert)
Domee Shi
With the voices of Sandra Oh, Rosalie Chiang
1 h 40