Most of the recent Pixar films (Luca, Soul, Onward) are moving in broader directions, creating animations that aren’t aimed at the wide audience, esp. kids. This latest features a 13-year-old Asian girl who turns into a giant red panda anytime she gets excited. While her overbearing mother tries to help her cope with the family curse, her friends scheme with her to get to a concert featuring the latest boy band (their appropriately K-pop songs were written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell). While it’s undeniable that the energy never lags and the animation is lively (and sometimes lovely), the characters are seldom unique, which gives it less comic heft. As Pixar expands their audience to more mature subjects (getting her period is addressed), they’re keeping the playful energy, but sacrificing some of the clever fun. For young women, this should certainly appeal. 
(3.5 / 5)
