It really makes me sad to see so many of these reviews to be so wrong. I originally wasnt planning on watching this movie. Did we miss something on diversity? Director: Domee Shi Genre (s): Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Family Rating: PG Runtime: 100 min See All Details and Credits Watch Now Stream On Stream On Stream On Stream On Metascore 83 Positive: 49 Mixed: 3 Negative: 0 However, this wasnt my issue with the movie. ", She added: "It's a really taboo subject, even though everyone goes through it. #TurningRed https://t.co/rWefdpWzv7, The BBFC are responsible for creating the age-appropriate rating system for film in the UK. Whenever Mei feels uncomfortable, she poofs into a giant red panda, in what is a metaphor for the reality for young girls as theyre hit with big mental and physical changes growing up. Visually, Turning Red, like all Pixar movies, is phenomenal. Pixars last two movies Soul in late 2020 and Luca in the middle of 2021 were released on DVD and Blu-ray around three months after their Disney Plus premiere date. On a few occasions, characters say/text messages "OMG", but they didn't use extend the phrase. There are references to the main character starting her period, boys being sexy, comments about their specific physical appearance being attractive, and the 13 year old main character talks about how honoring your parents is great, but that sometimes honoring them "too much" means you aren't honoring yourself. Stream . Synopsis Because it's all these different genres combined coming-of-age, it's comedy. But this is also nothing new! My 9 year old boy ended this saying it was the best movie I have ever seen. As an Asian American child is was very meaningful to see Asian representative on the big screen. Sadly, Netflix will not be adding Turning Red to its extensive library. Mei and her friends have crushes on various boys, including members of a boyband called 4*Town. No one was hurt. Great messages. I would say 8 is a good age as long as your child is educated about periods and crushes. Her mother (voiced by Sandra Oh) explains that the women in her family have had the same blessing / curse for generations: whenever their emotions get the better of them, they change into humongous red pandas in a puff of pink smoke, and whenever they calm down they change back again. One Twitter user commented: This movie was great and fun but Pixar made this film a little too inappropriate for kids but I get it, its about a 13 year old girl hitting puberty.. Honestly, it's definitely edgier than other pixar films. After Turning Red premiered on Disney+ on March 11, parents on social media expressed discomfort with some of the films themes. The main character rebels against her parents, There are some light sexual themes throughout, There are some scenes that could be scary for young kids, Jennifer Lopez Says She 'Became a Better Mother' Making New Netflix Film: 'It Was a Growing Experience', 'Hocus Pocus 2' Parents Guide: What to Know Before Watching with Your Kids, 'Wednesday' Parents Guide: What to Know Before Watching with Kids, Celebrity Moms Who Celebrated Their First Mother's Day, 'Are You There God? Also, her mother was too overprotective. This is a terrible movie, it has underlying values and teaches kids that they don't need to obey the parents and that parents don't understand. So, when will the movie Turning Red be coming out on Disney Plus in the UK? But thats just my opinion. Mei (panda form) almost attacks Tyler (bully kid) because he was mouthing about her mom For younger people who dont know what that is, just get ready to explain what it is to them when watching. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. While many parents praised the movie as adorable, refreshing, and a great representation not only of teen girls but in showcasing characters of color and characters with disabilities, others were less enthusiastic. My 7 year old son doesnt need to see that. MPAA Rating: PG Overall: A-Greenland. Like Inside Out or The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Turning Red is a standout addition to animated movies that capture the overwhelming feelings of coming-of-age. Ill start off by listing things some may not like: Mei (protag) does say sexy once (in reference to a picture she drew (wasnt anything too bad)) and later that night she has a kinda weird nightmare of face flowers and flopping fish, some characters say things like crap, perv, dork-narc, stupid, and Ming (protags mother) accuses some kid of doing drugs. When it will be released and what's the actual meaning of the age rating. save. - what they might have done differently to communicate, If you're wondering whether the film is age appropriate for your kids, then we've got you covered here's everything you need to know about the age rating of Pixar's Turning Red. Mei sneaking out to a party hits different from Simba going to the elephant graveyard. From Ariel defiantly telling King Triton to be with a man shes never actually met in The Little Mermaid; to Merida constantly groaning in her mothers face in Brave; to Nemo openly defying Marlin in Finding Nemo; to Moana sailing away from home honestly it feels like there would be a shorter list of Disney and Pixar movies that didnt have a child disobeys their parent plot line! Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. For comparison, other Disney films that are rated PG and appropriate for viewers over the age of six include Encanto, Raya and the Last Dragon, Moana and Zootopia. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Its hard enough parenting tweens and this movie just adds fuel to their hormonal and rebellious fire. Pixar film Turning Red is rated PG for Parental Guidance. Mei lives in Chinatown, and her family runs a temple. I don't think this is a big deal at all, but just wanted to include it. Many parents and other adults have criticized the film for encouraging rebellion, of being inappropriately sexual, and no small amount of kerfuffle over the fact that periods (and their assorted accoutrements like pads) are discussed. Insult language like "dork," "narc," "brainwashed," "jerkwad," "butthead," "freak," "psycho mom," "creepy temple," and "crap.". Instead, it just seemed overwhelmingly angry and chaotic. Turning Red is definitely one of my favorite Pixar movies. - bullying, Watching Inside Out and Soul, you can picture the committee of writers sweating over the complicated concepts and intricate plots. Another thing is, is that at the end of the movie Mei twerks in front of her mom in order to make her upset, I really dont feel like that is appropriate for certain ages because, even as I was watching it with my family, my brothers and cousins were laughing, thinking it was funny that she was shaking her butt, and not understanding that it is a sexual dance. UK viewers can watch "Turning Red" exclusively on Disney+ from Friday, March 11. ), Menstruation is mentioned 4 times, one example is when Ming is seen giving pads to Mei-Mei before she turns into a panda. A girl has a frightening dream with everything red in colour, and she rolls in bed, terrified. We couldnt spot anything uniquely concerning in this movie at all, except a great opportunity to start talking to kids about what to expect from puberty We All Know This Episode Of 'Bluey' Is About Parenting With A Hangover, Right? Since strong emotions can bring on the transformation, Mei must call upon all her meditation skills to resist the change until the ceremony can take place. - lying and keeping secrets, and Turning Red Popularity. Last shown in UK cinemas on 17th March 2022. Then her hormones kick in. Young teens have crushes on members of a boy band. Promotes open and honest communication between par, Mei is a caring, thoughtful daughter, a compassion, Main character Mei and her family (as well as writ, The panda transformation can come with a dark side. 1. How is puberty/coming-of-age a major part of the story? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide. They do, however, issue that some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.. The film also addresses first crushes, lying to parents, parties that get out of hand, big emotions, and a slew of other hot topics for this age range. All of this is portrayed as cool and ok because the main character's mom is portrayed as overbearing, way too protective, and "psycho." Age rating / classification to be confirmed. She sweats as she draws the images, telegraphing her attraction/infatuation. Current Status:released. That works for a while, until her friends convince her that changing into the panda could be fun -- and lucrative. Of course, everybody's experience is different, but Turning Red was one of the most realistic, yet. In one scene, she's disrespectful after weeks of not being honest with them. She's the lead in Pixar's Turning Red (2022). What a shame, then, that it has gone straight to streaming on Disney+, rather than getting a cinema release. Hi! Great opportunity to again normalize puberty, one parent wrote on Common Sense Media. Turning Red, which was initially slated to hit cinemas, will now debut on Disney Plus on 11th March 2022. Toinfinity and bewilderment: what on earth has happened to Buzz Lightyear? The message is one of female friendship, embracing change and cuddling your inner panda, of working through mother-daughter friction. Although it's jammed with twists and ideas, it's more like those early Pixar films Toy Story, Monsters Inc that appear to flow along effortlessly, however much effort went into them behind the scenes. This one talks about periods, liking boys (hate to say it, but it's obvious that the main characters are horny even though sex isnt mentioned at all), and rebelling against your parents. It's all that.". Article by Katie Mather Tue, March 15, 2022 at 4:08:12 PM EDT The new Pixar film Turning Red has fed into an online debate over what is "appropriate" for a children 's film. Did you relate to the movie's setting -- both the time (early 2000s) and the place (Canada)? Maybe its the relative modernity of Turning Red that makes people uncomfortable? Suggest an update. Try 12 issues for 1 today - never miss an issue. She isn't being bullied, and she has no trouble fitting in. | Parental Guide according to the Motion Picture Association means that some material in the film may not be suitable for children and some material parents might not like for their young children. The fantasy comedy, which features a voice cast including the likes of Sandra Oh, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Wai Ching Ho and Finneas O'Connell, follows 13-year-old girl Meilin 'Mei' Lee (Rosalie Chiang), who wakes one morning to discover that she turns into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited or stressed. It is funnier, cleverer and more honest than you might expect, says Nicholas Barber. Tight girl friendships are a major theme. In one scene at school, she throws a dodgeball at Tyler's head when he makes fun of her, and during his birthday party, she attacks him for bossing her around. Talk about bodies, periods and puberty. Even the annoying boy in her class is impressed. Making the announcement that Turning Red would debut directly on the streaming service, instead of coming to cinemas as had initially been planned, chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution Kareem Daniel addressed the need for fresh content to boost Disney Plus' subscriber numbers, as well as the importance of flexibility for family audiences, the target demographic for Pixar, during the pandemic. As Mei attempts to get rid of her red panda, her family holds a ritual, which shows her levitating and having glowing red eyes. Why is Turning Red rated PG? The film encourages curiosity, compassion, courage, self-control, and teamwork, and families who watch together can discuss lots of issues afterward, from the importance of having honest conversations about puberty to the dangers of lying and keeping secrets and the need for both close friends and trusted adults. But what is it about the film that have had some viewers up in arms? Having those conversations with your child will not only help impart the morals you want them to have, but it also teaches them to view other media through a more careful lens, and think more critically about what they see, hear, and read. I did not like that the whole movie is about defying your mom and doing whatever you want bc youre 13. There are some valuable lessons from the movie if you can get past all the cringe worthy scenes, but in my opinion, the juice isnt worth the squeeze. And I dont want my son taught these themes either. Instead of listening to her mom, Mei and her friends raise money to buy their own tickets and make a plan to secretly attend the concert behind their parents' backs. However, before you write off this movie based on negative social media reviews and warnings, know whats included. You marketed it as a movie about a fluffy red panda. She has published 2 poetry books: A is for Albatross: Birds A to Z & A is for Arowana:. Second thing wrong with this movie is the uncomfortable moments with Mei and her friendss crush. - what blackmail is and why it's so important that he ALWAYS tell us if someone tries to get him to do something he doesn't want to and then tells him that they will tell us and he'll get in trouble if he doesn't do what that person wants. Mei puts on a twerking show to distracted her giand red panda mom. - what they might have done differently to communicate, In a dramatic scene, a girl who has transformed into a panda attacks a boy who insults her. In the same way that Meis fanfic-style drawings were deemed inappropriate, some viewers also consider the girls obsession with 4*Town in a similar light. Supernatural pandas push and fight one another. 0. share. Director. Starring: (also, remember that it's not weird to have crushes or your period!!!!!! Medicines are implied as a cure for the Red bear curse. With puberty and adolescence at the heart of the action, expect references to periods and celebrity crushes, discussions of "hotness," and descriptions of the attractiveness of popular singers (as well as another older teen) and their gyrating dance moves. It's a normal process that people that have them should be proud of. The last thing is the addition of the period. But it doesn't . Mei-Mei is a teenager dealing with the ins-and-outs of puberty, like a typical teenager. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Worklife and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Cheaper By The Dozen (2022 film) Cheaper by the Dozen Parents Guide. First of all, if your kids dont know about puberty and all the things that go along with that- you better have a chat before you watch. The song "Bootylicous" by Destiny's child is heard in the background of Tyler's birthday party. Visit our. Mei Mei had straight As, she was perfect, and she was her mothers little girl, as you could say, and there is nothing wrong with those. It's Me, Margaret' Director on 'Pressure' of Honoring Judy Blume's Book (Exclusive), Rachel McAdams Says 'Privilege' of Motherhood Helped Her Film 'It's Me, Margaret' (Exclusive), Katherine Heigl's 3 Kids: Everything to Know, The Best Original Series on Netflix to Stream Now, Who Is Jack Black's Wife? Mass property damage during a concert scene when a giant, somewhat scary red panda wreaks havoc, forcing concertgoers to run for their lives; even the musicians look in danger (it's eventually played for laughs). There are some valuable lessons from the movie if you can get past all the cringe worthy scenes, but in my opinion, the juice isnt worth the squeeze. Directed by: Domee Shi. You can help us help kids by Try 12 issues for 1 today - never miss an issue. The Pixar comedy is arriving on Disney Plus this Friday. Is Turning Red's 4 Town a real band? Main character Mei and her family (as well as writer-director Domee Shi) are Chinese Canadian; Mei's best friends are White, South Asian, and Korean. Most in a tame middle school way. Indeed, reviews have been mixed and highly controversial, so heres what else you should consider. and she attempts to have "the talk" with her daughter. Disney accused of removing gay content from Pixar films, Best of Pixar: our writers favourite movies from Toy Story to Turning Red. By Nicholas Barber 7th March 2022 Five stars for a 'buoyant coming-of-age comedy', starring Rosalie Chiang and Sandra Oh. The first Pixar release of 2022 is landing on Disney Plus this Friday, with Turning Red making its debut on the streamer in time for the weekend. Its the only thing we can think thats present in this movie that isnt in dozens of other movies parents dont seem to have issues with. Turning Red explores periods, puberty, and the emotional and physical changes that accompany one's coming of age journey. Disney Plus subscribers around the world enthusiastically embraced Pixars Academy Award-winning Soul and the critically-acclaimed Luca when they premiered exclusively on the service, and we look forward to bringing them Pixars next incredible feature film Turning Red," Daniel said. They kiss the band's CD and poster and talk about the attractiveness of each member. Advertisement A boy verbally bullies a girl in his class. Certainly, bare chests (and mermen, for that matter) are nothing we havent seen in Disney. By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Release date: 11/03/2022 12+ This Pixar production features a culturally diverse cast and excellent animation. My problem? Almost constant discussion of teen crushes and boys. Turning Red is a charming coming-of-age story with lovely pops of imagination and a refreshing lack of queasiness when it comes to its themes of puberty and adolescent sexuality. When the panda gets angry, she can cause both purposeful and accidental damage. Parents Guide Un-"bear"-lievable or unbearable? They're trained in creating high-quality parenting advice based on best practices in child development. Age rating. They briefly talk about periods but people saying its inappropriate are also really stupid, too many people think periods are bad to learn about. Throughout the film, the kids use words like "crap," "stupid," "heck," and "butt." Not to mention the strange sexual innuendo, learned my lesson. The Turning Red voice cast also features Killing Eve's Sandra Oh as Meis mother, Ming, and Orien Lee as Meis dad, Jin. I was so disappointed, it had potential to be an inspiring movie giving parents and kids tools to navigate puberty effectively and productively . On Disney Plus in the UK, the film is rated appropriate for children over the age of six although the description adds that there are "some flashing lights sequences or patterns" that "may affect photosensitive viewers". In another (hilarious) scene, she runs to Meis school to bring more pads. Last, the word "crap" is mentioned. When Mei turns into a red panda, a big blast of pink smoke envelopes her, which causes some disruption in various scenes. Moments after the heroine cries out in distress, her mother asks, "Did the red peony bloom," and then bursts into the bathroom with a stack of sanitary pads and painkillers. That last one is BY FAR the most important, because that's how predators prey on children - they convince them that they can't tell their parents something because their parents would be upset with them or wouldn't believe them. At one point, Mei calls a boy at her school named Tyler a "jerkwad" and later tells her friends to "shut up" when they freak out over her turning into a red panda. it's normal!!!!!!!! . Puberty may be something that pretty much everyone has to endure, but at the time it feels like a uniquely mortifying and personal experience. The use of mild sexual references and innuendo are permitted. Who wrote the songs for Pixar. The way it so deftly handled serious topics, normalized periods, and normalized people with Type 1 Diabetes, made it an absolute standout among the entire Disney collection of films. The incident leaves the boy scared, crying and with minor injuries, including a slash on his cheek that draws blood. Being 13 is never easy, and in most movies, they make it seem nothing close to real life. At one point in the movie, Mei pleads with her mother to let her attend a concert for her favorite band 4*Town (whose songs are written by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS), but her mother tells her she can't go. Get personalized recommendations. 100% Upvoted. All rights reserved. It's important to remember that Mei in Turning Red is 13, and as the age at which girls begin puberty in the UK has steadily moved to almost a year younger since the 1970s, many have already . Read about our approach to external linking. Encourages curiosity, compassion, courage, self-control, teamwork. How do Mei and other characters display courage, curiosity, empathy, and teamwork? Given this subject matter, some have deemed it as inappropriate for children. Originally, I found it slightly cringey but then it came to me that this is something a younger me would have loved. Don't just stick your kid in front of the screen and rely on Disney to provide your values for you. - bullying, The good news is that all Meilin has to do is to wait until the next "blood moon" in a month's time, and they can perform a magical ritual which will lock her panda identity away in an amulet where it belongs.