Turning Red

Return to the days of flip phones and digital pets with the thoroughly charming Turning Red, an encouraging bounce back for Pixar after the uninspired Luca as well as for co-writer/director Domee Shi following her creepy (yet somehow Oscar-winning) short film Bao.

The Toronto-set period (in more ways than one) animated film we didn’t know we needed centers on 13-year-old Meilin (voiced by Rosalie Chiang) discovering the “curse” that befalls her family’s women: transforming into a giant, fluffy red panda whenever her emotions turn extreme.

But while her mom (Sandra Oh) and other female relatives are dead-set on Mei performing a ritual to reverse her condition, these new traits and the sense of freedom that come with them might not be so bad, and as Mei and her hilarious group of friends — especially the comically intense Abby (Hyein Park) — bond over the benefits of her fresh talents, Turning Red combines humor and self-love in classic Pixar fashion.

Along with the colorful visuals (sadly not available in theaters) and entertaining storytelling, Shi’s film is rounded out by a plethora of early ’00s details, none better than the teens’ favorite boy band, 4*Town, whose songs by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS are reminiscent of Josie and the Pussycats, minus the caustic wit.

Best of all? This superb coming-of-age tale is told in 90 zippy minutes and seems poised to become a welcome fixture in child-filled and child-free homes alike.

Grade: A-minus. Rated PG. Available to stream via Disney+

(Photos: Disney/Pixar)