Turning Red

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My gosh, did anyone else see the post on social media about this movie not being compatible with leading a Jesus-centric life?

It was terribly incoherent post and once I saw the movie, my first thought was the Jesus post was obviously thinly veiled racism. People suck.

I saw one shared by many Christian friends, but it may have been different, as I don't recall Jesus-centric phrase being used. But, I'm sure they complained about the same issues. And it's the reason I watched the movie to begin with. I wanted to see if there was any basis in the complaints. (Spoiler, there wasn't.) I am a Christian and once again am embarrassed by how extreme some are. But even more than that, I'm angry the posts made the movie out to be so scandalous. Sorry Christian friend, but if you saw anything remotely sexual about offering boys rides at the b-day party or when Mei Mei twerked as a panda, sticking her head between her legs, it's your own dirty mind.

I thought it was the Buddhism shown?

[Anonymous]

I liked it fine. My kids (DS 9 and DD 5) also enjoyed it, DD watched it again later in the weekend. It wasn't my favorite, but it was more because the pacing and dialogue felt off somehow for me - too frenetic. Loved the story and imagery but would rather watch Encanto for the 100th time than repeat this one.

[Anonymous]

Why was it set in 2002??!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why was it set in 2002??!

I think it took place when the writer/director was 13.

[Anonymous]

That makes sense. My kids asked and I hadn't even read that it wasn't in 2022 so had no clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my word. The movie makers made it EXPLICITLY clear that the panda is NOT a metaphor for getting your period by having a whole scene devoted to that when the mother misunderstood what was happening.

Watched with my 12 year old daughter and husband last night — we all LOVED it. Not every movie has to be directed at five year olds.

Huh? Here is a quote from the moviemaker:

“I wanted Mei to go through a magical puberty transformation, and I couldn’t get the image of a red panda out of my head because it’s so cute and funny, especially if you blow it up to, like, eight feet tall,” Shi said. “There’s something about the color, too. Red represents your period. It represents being angry, being embarrassed or being very lustful for someone.”

[Anonymous]

My DH had to explain the period panda to me. I thought it was just about managing emotions. I totally missed the point of this one (though I get it now) AND Incanto (which I still don't get).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it a metaphor for getting your period?

Yes. And puberty in general and it’s effects on the mother/daughter relationship. I found it really poignant as I have a 13 year old girl, but my 11 year old son didn’t like it at all. It was refreshing to see a movie centered on girls that was honest about vulnerability and the harmful expectations of perfection that a lot of girls start to absorb on the teen years.

I agree. Great movie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So did one of the friends have down syndrome or not because we thought so as well. Something about her just seemed different.

What difference does it make?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my word. The movie makers made it EXPLICITLY clear that the panda is NOT a metaphor for getting your period by having a whole scene devoted to that when the mother misunderstood what was happening.

Watched with my 12 year old daughter and husband last night — we all LOVED it. Not every movie has to be directed at five year olds.

Huh? Here is a quote from the moviemaker:

“I wanted Mei to go through a magical puberty transformation, and I couldn’t get the image of a red panda out of my head because it’s so cute and funny, especially if you blow it up to, like, eight feet tall,” Shi said. “There’s something about the color, too. Red represents your period. It represents being angry, being embarrassed or being very lustful for someone.”

Exactly — puberty and all of the emotions that go with that — not JUST her period.

[Anonymous]

I didn't fully get what to take away from the fact that Mei kept her panda but all her ancestors still gave theirs up, even after a second chance. I mean her mom's was dangerous, but the others seemed okay. Is there a good explanation for how that metaphor works? Just about choice? I sort of was hoping one of the aunty figures would decide to keep theirs, too. Or is it just implied that it always gets locked away once you make it through puberty?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't fully get what to take away from the fact that Mei kept her panda but all her ancestors still gave theirs up, even after a second chance. I mean her mom's was dangerous, but the others seemed okay. Is there a good explanation for how that metaphor works? Just about choice? I sort of was hoping one of the aunty figures would decide to keep theirs, too. Or is it just implied that it always gets locked away once you make it through puberty?

Maybe they choose to follow proper decorum and behavior. Mei breaks the mold to forge a new path and its ok. Its ok they go with the traditions of their era and she makes new ones.

[Anonymous]

My kids loved it. 9/10yo and they were laughing plenty. The funniest part for us was the scene where the mom discovers the drawings. They were very much like drawings my dd and her friends make. We're not Asian but there was so much in this movie we identified with and it gave me a good chance to talk about and normalize menstruation. I love seeing characters accept each other and move beyond humiliation/bullying/emotional growth. We all keep talking about that movie since we watched it. It will get a rewatch soon!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I liked it a lot and my kids really did too.

But I do think the character is a bit tired. I feel like every show is about misfits vs super popular kids. What about the normal kids who fit in, make good grades and enjoy life?

At least the parents weren't dead- so hey +1 for Disney on that.

Yes! 😂. As a parent of an adopted kid I screen movies for parents dying/trauma so we can prepare and talk about it. I was so relieved there was no parents dying and/or orphans that I barely noticed anything else, ha.

[Anonymous]

I loved how over the top the mom was. Now I can say, hey you might not love everything I do, but I promise I will never do THAT!