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Pixar’s latest animated feature is set to drop on Disney+ this Friday — March 11th. The film is called Turning Red, and it is directed and co-written by Domee Shi, a Chinese-Canadian animator who has been working at Pixar since 2011. While most of us will have to wait a few more days to see it, some critics were given the opportunity to watch and review it. So, just what are the critics saying in their Turning Red reviews?
Turning Red:
Turning Red tells an original story that explores the complexities of puberty, emotions, and adolescence. The movie follows Mei Lee, a confident but dorky thirteen-year-old girl struggling with her changing interests, relationships, emotions, body, and more. To make matters worse, Mei Lee has started transforming into a giant red panda anytime she feels an intense emotion.
What Critics are Saying in Their Turning Red Reviews:
Typically, critics and audiences are fans of Pixar’s movies. However, Pixar has been known to drop the ball once or twice. So, where does Turning Red stand in the reviews?
Hoai-Tran Bui — Slashfilm:
Hoai-Tran Bui from Slashfilm thought Turning Red was delightful. In her review, Bui wrote:
“Turning Red is another Pixar homerun, a low-stakes adventure turned high-stakes thanks to its heightened emotions and envelope-pushing animation style.”
Ultimately, Bui gave it a score of 8/10.
Matt Singer — ScreenCrush:
Matt Singer from ScreenCrush also appeared to have loved Turning Red. In his review, Singer claimed:
“It’s not only the studio’s best movie (and metaphor) since Inside Out — it’s one of their best movies ever. Wherever the company’s next project premieres, I just hope they keep getting to make original, heartfelt, beautiful films like Turning Red. It’s one of those special movies where during your first viewing you already know there’s going to be a 100th viewing someday.”
Singer awarded the film a 10/10 score.
Kate Erbland — IndieWire:
Like many others, Kate Erbland from IndieWire had a positive response to Pixar’s latest feature. In her review, Erbland praised the film, writing:
“Turning Red unspools a fresh, funny, and family-centric new mythology destined to become iconic.”
Erbland gave the movie an A- grade.
Justin Chang — Los Angeles Times:
Justin Chang from the Los Angeles Times shared his response to Turning Red as well. However, in his review, Chang notes some potential issues with the film, stating:
“Turning Red is a delight and, I suspect, an endlessly replayable one, though in its eagerness to clean up its own impressively messy emotions in the final stretch, it falls short of the catharsis it’s aiming for.”
Chang did not give the movie a score in his review.
Consensus in Turning Red Reviews:
Overall, the critics have shared overwhelmingly positive reactions to Turning Red in their reviews. As of writing this, the film holds a score of 92% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer.
For more updates on Turning Red and other Pixar films, check back in with The Nerd Stash!