One of my favorite movies is Disney/Pixar’s Turning Red. When I first saw the movie last year, I instantly fell in love with it. The whole movie has a nostalgic feel all throughout. Its beautiful pastel palette is reminiscent of 90s anime. The movie’s score also has a clear influence of early 2000’s boy bands which was very refreshing to hear in 2022. It was moving to see how the main character Mei develops by the end of the film. The scene where Mei finds her mother in the forest has to be one of the most emotional scenes in animation that I have seen so far. The emotion brought out by the two characters is so raw and genuine.
Last but not least, Domee Shi serves as an inspiration for all. Not only was she able to make a movie that reflected her own experiences, but she did it in a way that can be relatable to all who have been through the highs and lows of being a teenager. I also loved that Shi paid homage to her Chinese culture. As an aspiring animator who is Latina, I aspire to one day pay homage to my culture through the world of animation.
The fact that this is just only Domee Shi’s first feature film makes me excited to see what she comes up with next.
Marcella Martin 