A divisively brilliant animated flick
That’s not how things work anymore. Studios are more afraid of making a mistake than they are of challenging our ideas or presenting something new. They’re more worried about making money and pleasing their shareholders than they are about anything else.
Disney has been able to keep the film industry afloat by creating blockbusters like “The Lion King” and “The Incredibles.” But as other studios become more competitive, they may find it harder to make a profit off of sequels, prequels and spin-offs. This could lead to a decline in the industry, which would be a shame because these movies are some of the most popular in history.
Pixar has always been a studio that is known for pushing the envelope. Whether it’s their movies like Toy Story, Cars, or The Incredibles, they always try to be something new and exciting. However, the industry has largely stagnated since they first came into existence in the early 1990s. This is likely because most of their work is either safe or formulaic. Thankfully, Pixar have never played by the rules and have instead always tried to innovate and push boundaries. This may not be popular with some people, but it’s what makes them so unique and interesting.
Inside Out gave us the message that it’s okay to embrace sadness; that’s something we rarely see on-screen. Wall-E presented the dangers of AI and climate change without being overly preachy while Toy Story 3 showed you’re never too old to play with toys and embrace your inner-kid. ..
This is a movie about the power of love, and how it can change the world. It’s controversial, and it’s likely to make some people uncomfortable, but it’s a powerful message that many people can understand.
Meilin wakes up in a strange place, with no memory of how she got there. She can’t find her family, and her mother is frantic. Mei starts to piece together that she’s been dreaming this entire time, and that her mother is actually a spirit who has been visiting her in her dreams. Mei decides to take the opportunity to learn more about her mother and find out what happened to her when she died. As she begins to explore the temple, Mei comes into contact with other spirits who have also experienced death. Some of them are happy, some are sad, but all of them are eager to help Mei learn more about life after death. Together, they begin a journey through the temple and into the world beyond.
On the night of the Red Moon, all family members gather together to perform a traditional ritual that banishes the Panda from our home. This tradition has been passed down for generations and it is a way to help us stay in control of our emotions.
This film is an allegory for the emotional baggage that people often carry around. It is very clear that the film does not shy away from it. In fact, it embraces it.
Ming’s nods to periods are a great way to show that girls go through these times, and there are even some embarrassing moments at school that lean into this idea too. Seeing Mei quite literally run away in embarrassment with her tail tucked between her legs feels indicative of those girls who have their period at school and find themselves completely out of their depth.
Thankfully, Mei has a group of girlfriends who help to nurture her uncontrollable changes in the movie. Through the movie, we see Mei embrace this side of herself and actually start to control her emotions. ..
The film “The Shape of Water” is an excellent way to teach young girls that these changes are normal and natural. Of course, there is the added expectation on Mei given her Asian heritage, and the notoriously strict and sometimes overwhelming pressure put on these kids is something that’s going to resonate with a lot of women. ..
This is a Pixar film designed specifically for females, and it’s clear that the studio is confident in its product. It’s bold and interesting that Pixar has chosen this approach, given most of their films have broad appeal for both kids and adults. This one though, feels much more geared toward females.
The story is messy at times and the cynic could point out the lack of consequences for Mei’s actions as the panda, especially after assaulting a young boy. However, I like to think that this messiness is intentional. After all, puberty is a confusing, crazy time in your life, so for me it makes sense to have a movie that’s so sporadic and throws in an absolutely crazy final act. Expect giant pandas, fireworks and gyrating, alongside a big boy band number. Yeah, it’s pretty wild!
Pixar’s latest release, “Red,” is a heartwarming story about a young boy who turns red in the face of adversity. The film has won numerous awards, including Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.
This film is not for everyone, but I think Pixar did a great job with it. There are definitely more films like this that should be made. Although if Disney decides to remove this film from theatres and put it on Disney+ instead, I think they may have lost all faith in it.
Pixar’s monopoly on the movie industry is a bit more bearable if they continue to produce these sorts of stories.
