@@sojugon no. By lost it I mean I came unglued. It was such a heartfelt sentiment and I felt it deeply. You are right though, it was vague. I’ll update it. Thanks
I believe the size of the panda may be based on repression or intense negative feelings. The mom was hinted at being very pressured into being what her own mother wanted, hence her giant size. Mei only just became a panda and managed to find some reprieve among her school life so she had outlets for her feelings.
Either that or it's related to anger. Because the panda was meant to be a guardian spirit that fought bandits and defended their village. And Ming has a LOT of anger in her.
Honestly I think it’s similar. I think it’s a metaphor for how some women get worse hormonal swings on their period. Also representing that some women will need birth control just because of the impact it can have on their emotional self
@@scottmcketsy3048 My thought was that it's because of Ming's extreme anger and repressed emotions since she seems to be the only daughter that has a fractured relationship with the grandma. That would also explain why her sisters all have "regular" sized pandas as they're still close with their mother.
My sister-in-law is first gen chinese american, and her father explained it to us this way. "After a long time of struggle, I realized I wasn't raising BAD Chinese Kids. I was raising American Kids! They weren't bad, they were just different. "
So I watched this with my soon-to-be-10-yo daughter over the weekend, and I absolutely loved it. It was a GREAT conversation starter for subjects like puberty, periods, and sexuality. It really should be more normalised!
@@Lannisen I was referring to the criminal acts. Everything else, was clearly a point of communication. I found the supportive friends were the best part. I also found the "My Panda, my body" to be a questionable message.
When the aunties and grandma and mom gave up their pandas so easily, I was kind of sad. But when the mom's panda left I had a thought; her pandas was too big to carry. So, when considering intergenerational trauma, maybe that is reflective of the fact that younger generations treat their trauma or difficulties like friends and see the gift in it. For the older generations...maybe it is too much of a burden.
The aunties & grandma giving their pandas up I feel was a realistic representation of older generations who still hold onto sometimes unhealthy habits just out of having such a long familiarity with them, even if they accept & sometimes even encourage younger members to embrace "new" emotionally healthier lifestyle options. With the mom, it felt like giving up her panda was probably for the best for her personally. The mom seemed like someone who was a bit of a control freak and it's possible that her personality/psychological makeup simply doesn't allow integrating the panda (& the emotions it's a stand in for) in a safe and healthy way in her everyday life. I think that might be why her panda was so much bigger than everyone else's- she was naturally the most repressed due to her innate personalty. Giving it up is kind of like someone who knows they can't drink at all because they're a violent drunk, she has to abstain completely.
@@vadalia3860 Personally I think the size of Ming's panda had less to do with her innate personality but more with her fractured relationship with her family, especially her mother who throughout the movie is overly judgemental and critical of her. That would also explain why her sisters who seemed to be much closer with their mother all had "regular" sized pandas. Idk for sure but based on her interactions with her sisters I think she might be the youngest of the 5 children which could potentially be one of the reasons why her relationship with the grandma is the most emotoinally charged and why she wanted to impress them by telling them that Mei is already able to control her panda (by thinking of HER).
it was also prob easy for them because they didn't release their panda as much so there wasnt a whole lot of attachment to it. where as Mei Mei did it so often that there was a physical struggle to pass even partially through.
I liked how they let you know the mom is the one who scarred the grandmother without outright saying she scarred her. And how it is both a literal and figurative meaning of hurt.
Beautiful movie. I was 16 in 2002 so a lot of this was familiar. And I really appreciated hearing about your experiences growing up as well. Thank you for sharing!
Even though I'm not Canadian or of Chinese descent, this movie hit so close to home. Watching your reaction made me sob even more😭. It's so beautifully done and I really appreciate hearing you all explain certain things because I would've never gotten some of the references or cultural influence you mentioned.
@@m.syauqiabdurahman2798 😭😭😭I've realised that I never grew out of my cringiness since I've only noticed it in the movie until people mentioned it lolll
That's great. Sometimes I think there is too much focus on surface level attributes. We're all human and we can related to each other on many levels....even with Canadians. ^_^
@@dtester lollll exactly. I saw some critiques of the movie not being relatable to anyone outside of Chinese-Canadian heritage and even after watching the movie I never understood that perspective. Everyone can relate to puberty and how your body and mind changes, a lot of people could relate to overbearing parents, so many people could relate to growing into their own, making great friends, forming bonds from common interests you share with others, being extremely cringey in your teens. Like the movie isn't just about a Chinese-Canadian teen girl in the early 2000s. There are so many things many of us could take away from it or relate to.
It almost goes the same for me, but I’m a Canadian living in Montreal instead. Man I gotta say… even though the last time I visited Toronto when I was 9 back in 2013, this movie is still stuck in my head ever since it got released. The extreme nostalgia, my home sweet home nation plus everyday cultural references were the most precious and valuable elements I frankly loved in this best Pixar movie of the year 😭
When Mei-Mei clutches her notebook to her chest and rolls under the bed, I FELT THAT! In eighth grade, I found The Joy of Sex, 1969 Copywrite edition, with watercolor paintings, IN MY GRANDMA'S BOOKCASE! In Public! Just sitting there next to the tv and fireplace! I was thirteen, an awkward girl, and so was my best friend, I SWIPED that book and hid it under my mattress, and she and I would read it out loud to each other, laughing our ASSES off! But we were Fascinated, too. Puberty makes you endlessly curious, and endlessly convinced you can't talk to adults about it. I was so proud to see an animated mother bring up the red lotus blooming in a movie, and have pads. That's revolutionary!
I found a spicy romance novel in my moms bookshelf I remember reading it in the walk in closet of the house so no one would see me I was 12 I found the book at a thrift shop a couple years ago and had to buy it for nostalgia
The thing George mentions about not talking about feelings with parents; I wonder if it's an immigrant thing because that was the same experience for my family. We're Mexican, my parents immigrated to the U.S. and it was the exact same thing for us, we never talked about emotions. I don't mean to paint with too broad a brush, I can't say it's like that for others but definitely true for my family and I've noticed a lot of similarities across cultures with respect to immigrant families.
I'm Chinese, and after watching Coco, I see that our two cultures have a lot in common! Like when I saw the ofrenda and offerings of food at the cemetery, I was like, hey, we do that exact same thing!
Tbh i think its more of a generational thing, im not an immigrant, i was born in 2001 and i was always told to just man up by my dad. Sure my mom would listen but with the whole “man up” thing i just felt like i had to roll with the punches & bottle everything up
In a lot of cases, the experiences are just so traumatic many people choose not to bring them up with their kids - because they want to focus on the safety and opportunities their new home country has brought them.
for the record: Tyler was crying because Mei physically attacked him. You can see the scratches (and maybe a bit of blood) Doesn’t justify his actions in any sense, but Tyler was actually hurt. Also probably had a bit of blunt force trauma from getting smacked onto the ground.
i gotta say, it was painful watching some reactions that don't have the 1) Canadian 2) Chinese 3) Immigrant 4) Millennial POV but y'all got the insight and didn't miss any glaring details. This was such a fun watch! Subscribed!
I think the money was correct. I thought it looked wrong at first, too, but I did a quick search it looks like the Canadian Journey series first issued in 2001. I think it was just the glossiness of it that made it look more like the new polymer notes.
That's funny 'cause I thought they look like wrinkled paper money, showing that the animators took the time to make the money period appropriate! Check out the bills Abby is holding and the ones she has stuffed in her overalls pocket.
It's so cute hearing that "Mei Mei" is pretty twice. My ex named my (previously our) dog Mei Ling after a character from Metal Gear (he named all our pets after characters from the game). We usually call her Mei Mei, and it never occurred to me to check the meaning of her name.
As a Korean-Canadian, a lot of this did hit home. As you mentioned at the end, the struggle between tradition/what you know vs assimilating/what you learn is very real. And I guess also like in the movie, my mother still has never quite assimilated and has stuck to what she has always known, even after so many years in Canada... while my father has always tried to assimilate and adapt. And that caused the similar kind of relationship between parent and child as in the movie where my mother was the strict and judgmental one, while my father was more open-minded and accepting of change and difference.
Another lovely reaction! Being 1st gen British Born Chinese, this movie felt very relatable, and got me emotional! Yes, the tiger mum & quiet dad (or vice versa) are stereotypes, even cliches, but at the same time, they do represent a very common experience for many Chinese (although by no means exclusive to Chinese culture). Most tiger parents actually DO want the best for their children, and love them fiercely (while rarely openly expressing it!), but at the same time, their massive expectations & vicarious ambitions whilst perfectly understandable, are huge pressure & often problematic for their kids. Like George says, it's complicated and messy.
It's tough when your parents keep raising the bar of expectation when you succeed at something because it feels like you're never doing enough to make them happy. You just want to hear a genuine "I'm proud of you" instead of "that's good but here's what you have to do next"... so many of these parents, while they love their kids, unintentionally breed resent in them. Imagine living a life where all you do is succeed but it's never good enough for your parents. I'd snap.
Director Domee Shi did a great job with this film. In a lot of ways, Meilin was based on Domee's own childhood experiences growing up in Toronto. So even though it's fictional, this is her autobiography to some degree. Regarding 4*Town, not only did Finneas O'Connell write the songs with his sister Billie Eilish, but he also got to be Jesse the oldest member of the group. This boy band has a lot of potential in my book. It'd be cool if they starred in their own short film featuring a couple of new songs. Just sayin'.
He wanting to cry on every scene with intense Chinese culture is so cool hehe I relate so much, being a South American I wanted to cry during the entire encanto
I'm a 59 year old guy from northern England. Why does this movie connect with me so much? Why do I love it so much? Actually I know why....I love the great writing, the wit, the subtlety, especially in the imagery - you pick something new up you missed every time you watch it. I was about 2 months late for this movie because the thumbnail on Disney Plus of the 4 young girls in the street dancing put me off. I thought this would never be for me in a million years. The premise of a girl who turns into a Red Panda intrigued me a lot though and I reluctantly decided to try it out. I'm so glad I did because I truly believe this is one of the best animated movies I have ever scene. So damn good! A beautiful movie which I firmly believe will become a classic.
I absolutely loved this movie, especially the colour palette and animation aesthetic. It was awesome to see both of your reactions and perspectives, both from Simone who was a teenage girl during that time, and from George as a first gen Chinese Canadian. I didn't realize how much Canada needed it's own Pixar movie until now, so many great references and nostalgia. And I appreciated that they set this movie in the early 2000's, before social media and smart phones, etc... I honestly think this movie was made for people in their early 30's lol, this definitely represented my formative teenage years.
18:06 He literally has the equivalent of a bear atacking him, that's not an ordinary panda. Plus she went beast mode, idk what's so surprising about him crying. xD
I wish I was 13 again so I could experience this movie to the fullest. I just finished watching it and I loved it! It's so cute! And I'd definitely watch it again and again. I relate so hard to having 'fanfic' thoughts that are just so out there when I was a teen. I'm glad girls get to grow up with movies like these that show that it's okay to have those thoughts. That's what really stood out to me in this movie, beside the cute art style, art direction and animation. The music (and background music) was so nice to listen to. The coloursss! Aaaaaah! Just like Luca, the pallette is soooo nice to look at! I loved it!
As a Korean, I sort of want to tell my mom to watch this as a passive aggressive move but she's not someone who would watch an animated movie by herself :b she was never as extreme or overbearing as Ming (though she did once force me to close my deviantart account cause she thought it was full of shady people solely based on the website name) but close enough to the point where I could easily imagine her behaving the same way and it made me shudder watching this 😂 Also can't relate to having a passive Asian dad. In an argument, they'd both gang up on me :/
I love to see finally a reaction from a chinese canadian perspective, many people thought the mom it's way too strict and protective and didn't understand many things without thinking the difference in culture and how aisan parents grow their kids
Honestly, it's refreshing to see Pixar experimenting and deviating from its established art style - there is a LOT of anime influence in this movie, from the body language to the facial expressions. Gives a lot of life and personality to this movie.
I believe Turning Red is the first Disney/Pixar that focuses on adolescence, puberty, and even periods. Periods are still stigmatized, and it's sad. I liked Turning Red because I have never seen ANY kids' content where they normalize menstruation, let alone talk about it. I was so glad to see Pixar pop that stigma bubble. When Mei's mom thought Mei was getting her period, she told Mei that it was expected, was nothing to be embarrassed about, and tried to give her everything she needed to get through it. It's still something that no one talks about, but we should because it's part of our everyday lives and crucial to our health as women. In my opinion, this movie was a great way to show the emotional rollercoasters teens go through. Apparently, Turning Red is also the first Pixar film in the comany's 36-year history to be solo-directed by a woman. And there was an all-female creative team. Finally!!!
i think it’s kind of crazy we treat periods as some dark secret not to be told to kids when kids get periods everyday. i’m sure 8 year olds don’t want to learn about periods, but for some, it’s not up to them, they have to. imagine how much more of a healthy attitude we could have towards periods if we encouraged kids to be knowledgeable about them. like there are young children who have older sisters-i don’t see the point of them being kept in the dark about it. i especially hate this internalized misogynistic view i’ve seen of “hiding it from boys as to not offend them”. i get that it has to do with bodily fluids so it’s a bit gross, but we don’t choose to have periods so we should have a more neutral view. if boys and men were more informed about it, when periods became a topic in their lives (girlfriends, wives, daughters)it wouldn’t be so uncomfortable. like what if one of these boys who wasn’t told anything about periods grows up to be a dad of a daughter, then loses his wife? that wouldn’t be a fair way to raise that daughter
The Aunties are a universal thing. My family's Italian-American immgrant, and my Aunties pretty much dressed, acted, and talked like Mei's Aunties. Dressing up like middle-age fashionistas with their fancy purses and distinctive 'dos, constantly feeding you, the first thing out of their mouths is about your weight or looking like your mom/dad, etc.
Nope! The money was accurate! They used the last paper bill that we had that actually was put into print in the year 2002. The 1986 style would've still been seen in circulation, but the newly printed bills would've been the ones they showed in the movie. The one with kids playing hockey on the backside.
It was great to see 2002 Toronto in animated form. Spadina, the TTC, the CN Tower and the SkyDome (before it became The Rogers Centre)… all accurate! All in all, a very fun, sweet movie, eh.
Watching this movie made me understand my parents more - about their strictness and being curious with the things I always do that can really make the situation awkward. After all those years, I am happy they did.
YES!!!! This movie is so good. I'm so happy this movie is set in Toronto and equally so that Toronto and Canada's Chinese community has this representation in animation now. The city looks gorgeous, the story is great and oh my god Abby is intense! I swear she's like a 13 year old version of Agnes from Despicable Me "You're so fluffy!!!!" Okay, I'm done. I'll watch your reactions now. YAY!!!!
The only unbelievable part of this movie is at the beginning where the streetcar waits for Mei. I've had drivers see me running, literally 20 feet from the stop, and they just keep rolling through, eyeballing me the whole time.
Watched this amazing movie a few days ago and yours was the reaction I was most looking forward to seeing (not just because you're fellow Canadians either). Still shocked to see it so soon!
27:29 I saw some of this first hand when I was in high school my best friend was Korean. His parents were very traditional and didn't speak English. I think they spoke a little but not around me. His dad was a pastor at a Korean church. My friend was very americanized though, on the football team, etc.
While my experience wasn't the same as Meilin's or the same as George's, I was 15 in 2002, and I did struggle a little bit with doing what my mom told me to and what I wanted to do and experience as a teenager in high school. And I think that particular theme is very universal and I think that's why this movie has wider appeal. We've all been there even though our experiences are all so different.
This movie pleasantly surprised me. I’m 16. I watched this with my twin sister and we both had a lot of laughs. I haven’t watched a lot of Disney movies, but I’m pretty sure this was one of the only ones with mentions of puberty, and especially periods, which isn’t brought up in Disney. It was relatable and heartfelt, and it was also quite emotional. One of my favorite Disney movies!
That's an amazing movie that made me cry a lot. Everything touching family traumas or parents-child relationship hits home. But this one...oh how I've felt the "be perfect for your parents" and not being able to express what you feel... I also love how they talk about puberty like it's just normal, because it is. Body changes, behavior changes, parents not being prepare for it... The whole "I thought I had more time" speaks volumes for me. Don't just wait for your kids to be in a mess to explain the mess. Do it sooner. Even little kids can understand some basic stuff if you put heart into it, not just throwing things at them. I wish I could have that kind of talk with my mother. But she was long gone when my body decided it would make me suffer for years because I became a woman. Even the pain is shown in this movie, with hot...whatever you call it english water thing. Family traumas, how the way you raise your children will impact their parenting and the one coming after... The series Fruits Basket, both in manga and anime form, does wonder with that subject. We do not speak of our feelings in my family. Too bad, I'm an emotional wreck who can't contain herself. It was hard to find understanding, and still is. Then you learn to keep quiet and deal with it on your own. I love this movie, I'm so sad it didn't came on theater, even if I'm avoiding them in a basis. Just thinking of people who like to go there.
We just watched this ourselves the other day, it's such a beautiful, relatable and slightly harrowing tale. I'm so happy we got to share this experience with you both, and I really hope you did call your dad after this!
No, that’s what Canadian money looked like in 2002. Those are the bills (called the Journeys series) we had just before the current polymer ones we have now. They were the same colours (blue, purple/pink, green, red, tan) as they are now, but they were still made of paper and had different icons/designs. Although since they only came out in 2001, there were definitely still some of the old-old bills (the Birds of Canada series) in circulation then as well.
Thanks so much for this outstanding reaction! George - you're perspective for this one really took things to another level. Very well done! I watched this the other night with my wife and daughter. We all really liked it as well.
About the red fortune sign on the wall: the word "倒" (upside down, lay down, drop, pour, etc.) in some contexts pronounced the same as "到" (come, arrive, appear, etc.) So hanging the fortune signs (mostly written as "財" = money/fortune or "春" = spring/(good) start of a new year) upside down means you wish something good will come to you. Mostly like a traditional good luck charm.
Just watched this the other day with family. 50 y/o Scotts-Irish American, at least 6th or 7th generation, probably much more! I am sure the Asian-Westerner (American/Canadian) experience is unique in many ways, but, I think, too , that we can all relate to issues of parental expectations, rebellion, awkwardness, friendship, and family. I can't imagine anyone not feeling something from this movie!
Some people seem to miss it, but the final part of the Panda fight, just before she head butts her Mom, there is some seriously tragically poignant and truly heartbreaking dialogue between the two of them. I can't think of enough superlatives for this movie. It's absolutely amazing. Why some people dunk on it so hard, I will never know.
This was like watching old home movies for me. My mother still wants to discuss some of my personal choices from years ago, but she does at least let me make those choices now
I love this movie so much and I loved your reactions to this. This movie means so much to so many different people, and it was really interesting to get George's take on the portrayal of a Chinese family. Also... I spy a Mollymauk t-shirt!
I loved Turning Red. The movie to me is like a combination of several Disney Channel shows like The Owl House, The Proud Family and American Dragon Jake Long. It's both funny and heartwarming.
No, the red theme is not about menstruation. They just mention menstruation and she didn't even have it. I feel it's more about the Chinese symbols of red and red pandas.
I really liked the fact that this was set in Toronto. So few major studio movies are. And all the little details were spot on, like the old style streetcars (as opposed to the newer space age looking ones they use now). I also appreciated the look of this film. It wasn’t typical Pixar style character design. If anything, the adolescent characters reminded me of Ardman artwork. If you go back and look at old ‘Wallace and Grommet’ films, you’ll see what I mean. If you haven’t already, also check out “Embrace the Panda”, the behind the scenes documentary, which is available on Disney+. For me, it gave an even deeper appreciation for the storytelling.
This is probably my favorite reaction from you guys so far. Especially since it hits so close to home. I may not be from Canada but I am first gen asian-american
My one personal major complaint about this movie is that they're suddenly just friends at the end. Like, I get that the writers wanted to make it a feel-good movie, but the dude was absolutely terrible to her, and then she tried to kill him. You don't just become friends because you're at the same concert.
I love to keep discovering similarities between cultures as far apart and different as Chinese and Mexican :) I think we have a strong family structure that in some cases and situations can turn a bit oppresive and frustrating, expectations are high and respecting your parents and grandparents can sometimes become more important than anything... until you find a balance. I loved the “embrace all of you” message :)
The moment this movie dropped on Disney+ I was looking forward to seeing your reaction at some point, not realizing it was going to come out pretty much immediately. I especially wanted to hear George's viewpoint on how well it represented the Chinese-Canadian experience. I personally really loved the movie, and even though I'm neither a girl or Chinese-Canadian, being a very white guy from Norway, I was definitely able to latch onto the aspect of being a teenager in the early 2000's, and that aspect felt very authentic to me.
I watched this yesterday with my family and we all loved it. I felt the first 15 or so minutes was a bit off balance but then it found its groove and it was nice ride after that. I was surprised that they didn't release this in theaters and then I thought that they may have decided against it in part because one of the big themes is so similar to Encanto, that being toxic family dynamics, Of course, there was no way for the audience to know that before watching but I feel that might have been a factor.
So great to get your insight and thoughts George, it was interesting how authentic they were with the culture and traditions. Great reaction or 反应热烈 (don't know if that's right)
I'm an immigrant myself, and although I am not from a Chinese background, I can relate a lot to the experience in general of worrying about "letting down" your family or family history, if that makes sense. Personally, I think a lot of the repression the older family members experience is also partly a result of the effort needed to even survive as immigrants in a very different culture; I know that I personally have had to struggle to acknowledge my feelings because it can be so difficult and overwhelming at times that it seems like the only thing I can do to try to survive is save my feelings for another time when I have the energy or means to address them. It's not a healthy thing to do, but I think it can be so hard that it becomes almost the only option in the moment, and then as things remain difficult or get even harder, the day to process feelings gets pushed further and further away.... Like at the moment, I have been dealing with a lot of back and forth about my current visa application, the outcome of which will decide the rest of my life, and much of it is out of my hands. I am exhausted, stressed, scared, and feel like crying all the time. But if I cry, and they call me, how will I defend myself and pitch my case convincingly with a wavering voice? I have to be strong for my family and for myself, and it's hard if not impossible to find any support from others because it's really only other immigrants who will understand, and each person has very different circumstances. It's very hard. I feel for her and her family, and for everyone else going through anything similar, either past or present.
Im mexican not chinese but still, being raised by immigrants makes a lot of the interactions hit rrrrrrreal close to home. Like yeah im just a latin dude but i connected with the MC way more than i expected. That 0 communication about emotions. The weighted expectations. Especially being the first born or only child...woof
Canadian here, It was so cool seeing toronto and other canadian bits in this movie, i dont live in the city itself but i do live in ontario and i felt right at home
I watched another TH-camr who was raised by Asian immigrants react to this movie, and they said it seemed to be unnecessarily critical of Asian culture and values. Seeing you have a very different reaction to it is fascinating. I appreciate seeing the varied perspective.
Omggg thank you so much for this conversation, I related to this movie in two major ways: 1) definitely as a first gen Latin American whose mom wanted to best for their child (albeit with the surveillance of a hawk), I was v over achieving while also cherishing the relationship I had with my mom so struggling to have my identity while reconciling that with how I valued my upbringing. 2) as a queer male I also identified with this drastic coming of age (liking boys, having certain friends, wanting to make my own life) that also could be read from this movie that often came into conflict with my cultural and childhood identity This movie was excellent and I’m glad of the direction that Pixar is taking with this filmmm Ps also as an avid anime fan this was a great touch and style of animation I definitely lovedddd
6:47 i think her mom thought it was too late because she probably got hers late and was like “oh this is normal so when shes at the age i was at ill be ready” and mei obviously was on time. So her mother wasnt prepared
18:02 Need to tell ya all... She Really looks soo Pretty Good when Rage make Her Eyes Turn into Burning Coal bits with Her Murderous Look. Just Amaizing.
Feel like ming is using "mei mei" as "pretty pretty." Since lot of chinese also double a character for younger members of as a sign of affection. Especially since her full name is "Meilin Lee". Kinda like how Abuela said "Brunito" as "little Bruno" and how in english we shorten names or shorten and tack on a -y at the end like David to Davey or Dave. In my family we addressed the youngsters like that too. Our last character in our full name was repeated as kids.
I absolutely adore the animation in this. It's that hyper real, but cartoony movement. But especially I love Mei's Red Panda animation, cuz they manage to make the movements exaggerated and super cute.
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When George said “I miss my family “, I absolutely lost it. My heart hurt.
The way I started sobbing at that point😭😭😭
@@sojugon no. By lost it I mean I came unglued. It was such a heartfelt sentiment and I felt it deeply. You are right though, it was vague. I’ll update it. Thanks
Yeah, I winced.
Ujyjht
Same. Sobbing here. 😭
I believe the size of the panda may be based on repression or intense negative feelings. The mom was hinted at being very pressured into being what her own mother wanted, hence her giant size. Mei only just became a panda and managed to find some reprieve among her school life so she had outlets for her feelings.
Either that or it's related to anger. Because the panda was meant to be a guardian spirit that fought bandits and defended their village. And Ming has a LOT of anger in her.
Honestly I think it’s similar. I think it’s a metaphor for how some women get worse hormonal swings on their period. Also representing that some women will need birth control just because of the impact it can have on their emotional self
I'm not sure that it was that worked out lol just plot
@@jacksmith-vs4ct the whole movie is a metaphor for periods and you think the mom having a giant one is a coincidence? What movie were you watching?
@@scottmcketsy3048 My thought was that it's because of Ming's extreme anger and repressed emotions since she seems to be the only daughter that has a fractured relationship with the grandma. That would also explain why her sisters all have "regular" sized pandas as they're still close with their mother.
My sister-in-law is first gen chinese american, and her father explained it to us this way. "After a long time of struggle, I realized I wasn't raising BAD Chinese Kids. I was raising American Kids! They weren't bad, they were just different. "
Wow. For someone to actually realize that is pretty big.
Not Chinese but that hits close
So I watched this with my soon-to-be-10-yo daughter over the weekend, and I absolutely loved it. It was a GREAT conversation starter for subjects like puberty, periods, and sexuality. It really should be more normalised!
There was no consequences to anyone actions.
@@Dularr over puberty, periods, and sexuality? What consequences were you expecting?
@@Lannisen I was referring to the criminal acts. Everything else, was clearly a point of communication. I found the supportive friends were the best part. I also found the "My Panda, my body" to be a questionable message.
@@Dularr what is questionable about thst message?
Not only that but generational trauma and mental health issues
When the aunties and grandma and mom gave up their pandas so easily, I was kind of sad. But when the mom's panda left I had a thought; her pandas was too big to carry. So, when considering intergenerational trauma, maybe that is reflective of the fact that younger generations treat their trauma or difficulties like friends and see the gift in it. For the older generations...maybe it is too much of a burden.
The aunties & grandma giving their pandas up I feel was a realistic representation of older generations who still hold onto sometimes unhealthy habits just out of having such a long familiarity with them, even if they accept & sometimes even encourage younger members to embrace "new" emotionally healthier lifestyle options. With the mom, it felt like giving up her panda was probably for the best for her personally. The mom seemed like someone who was a bit of a control freak and it's possible that her personality/psychological makeup simply doesn't allow integrating the panda (& the emotions it's a stand in for) in a safe and healthy way in her everyday life. I think that might be why her panda was so much bigger than everyone else's- she was naturally the most repressed due to her innate personalty. Giving it up is kind of like someone who knows they can't drink at all because they're a violent drunk, she has to abstain completely.
@@vadalia3860 Personally I think the size of Ming's panda had less to do with her innate personality but more with her fractured relationship with her family, especially her mother who throughout the movie is overly judgemental and critical of her. That would also explain why her sisters who seemed to be much closer with their mother all had "regular" sized pandas. Idk for sure but based on her interactions with her sisters I think she might be the youngest of the 5 children which could potentially be one of the reasons why her relationship with the grandma is the most emotoinally charged and why she wanted to impress them by telling them that Mei is already able to control her panda (by thinking of HER).
They see it as their fight to be proud of wh they are despite the racist bs
it was also prob easy for them because they didn't release their panda as much so there wasnt a whole lot of attachment to it.
where as Mei Mei did it so often that there was a physical struggle to pass even partially through.
That... cleared so much up for me.
I liked how they let you know the mom is the one who scarred the grandmother without outright saying she scarred her. And how it is both a literal and figurative meaning of hurt.
It also is a testament to "never talk about things in the open" culture :/
Beautiful movie. I was 16 in 2002 so a lot of this was familiar. And I really appreciated hearing about your experiences growing up as well. Thank you for sharing!
Mae pfp!
Hey, do you... have some cups?
Really this could have been set in the early 2010’s too and it still would have been relevant (that’s when I was around 13)
It would’ve had to be 2011 for me to be 13.
And, I was 5 years old from 2002.
At that time i wasn't born yet:"))
Even though I'm not Canadian or of Chinese descent, this movie hit so close to home. Watching your reaction made me sob even more😭. It's so beautifully done and I really appreciate hearing you all explain certain things because I would've never gotten some of the references or cultural influence you mentioned.
This movie is both amazing and cringy (in a good way) .
@@m.syauqiabdurahman2798 😭😭😭I've realised that I never grew out of my cringiness since I've only noticed it in the movie until people mentioned it lolll
That's great. Sometimes I think there is too much focus on surface level attributes. We're all human and we can related to each other on many levels....even with Canadians. ^_^
@@dtester lollll exactly. I saw some critiques of the movie not being relatable to anyone outside of Chinese-Canadian heritage and even after watching the movie I never understood that perspective. Everyone can relate to puberty and how your body and mind changes, a lot of people could relate to overbearing parents, so many people could relate to growing into their own, making great friends, forming bonds from common interests you share with others, being extremely cringey in your teens. Like the movie isn't just about a Chinese-Canadian teen girl in the early 2000s. There are so many things many of us could take away from it or relate to.
It almost goes the same for me, but I’m a Canadian living in Montreal instead. Man I gotta say… even though the last time I visited Toronto when I was 9 back in 2013, this movie is still stuck in my head ever since it got released. The extreme nostalgia, my home sweet home nation plus everyday cultural references were the most precious and valuable elements I frankly loved in this best Pixar movie of the year 😭
When Mei-Mei clutches her notebook to her chest and rolls under the bed, I FELT THAT! In eighth grade, I found The Joy of Sex, 1969 Copywrite edition, with watercolor paintings, IN MY GRANDMA'S BOOKCASE! In Public! Just sitting there next to the tv and fireplace! I was thirteen, an awkward girl, and so was my best friend, I SWIPED that book and hid it under my mattress, and she and I would read it out loud to each other, laughing our ASSES off! But we were Fascinated, too. Puberty makes you endlessly curious, and endlessly convinced you can't talk to adults about it. I was so proud to see an animated mother bring up the red lotus blooming in a movie, and have pads. That's revolutionary!
I found a spicy romance novel in my moms bookshelf I remember reading it in the walk in closet of the house so no one would see me I was 12 I found the book at a thrift shop a couple years ago and had to buy it for nostalgia
The thing George mentions about not talking about feelings with parents; I wonder if it's an immigrant thing because that was the same experience for my family. We're Mexican, my parents immigrated to the U.S. and it was the exact same thing for us, we never talked about emotions. I don't mean to paint with too broad a brush, I can't say it's like that for others but definitely true for my family and I've noticed a lot of similarities across cultures with respect to immigrant families.
I'm Chinese, and after watching Coco, I see that our two cultures have a lot in common! Like when I saw the ofrenda and offerings of food at the cemetery, I was like, hey, we do that exact same thing!
@@HeatRaver yeah, I find family values wise, Asian cultures have a lot in common with South Americans’ and Africains’🤔
Tbh i think its more of a generational thing, im not an immigrant, i was born in 2001 and i was always told to just man up by my dad. Sure my mom would listen but with the whole “man up” thing i just felt like i had to roll with the punches & bottle everything up
As a Mexican: same.
In a lot of cases, the experiences are just so traumatic many people choose not to bring them up with their kids - because they want to focus on the safety and opportunities their new home country has brought them.
for the record: Tyler was crying because Mei physically attacked him. You can see the scratches (and maybe a bit of blood)
Doesn’t justify his actions in any sense, but Tyler was actually hurt. Also probably had a bit of blunt force trauma from getting smacked onto the ground.
still think he got what he deserved
exactly
Georges' emotional responses made this reaction pure gold.
i gotta say, it was painful watching some reactions that don't have the 1) Canadian 2) Chinese 3) Immigrant 4) Millennial POV but y'all got the insight and didn't miss any glaring details. This was such a fun watch! Subscribed!
It was…painful to have the immigrant experience watched through someone else’s perspective? That’s a big reason why this film was made, lol.
@@greasey8695 you read it wrong dude
I think the money was correct. I thought it looked wrong at first, too, but I did a quick search it looks like the Canadian Journey series first issued in 2001. I think it was just the glossiness of it that made it look more like the new polymer notes.
I had the same conversation with my son yesterday.
I was thinking this. It looks just like how I remember the 5s looking like this but it’s true they shouldn’t be so glossy
That's funny 'cause I thought they look like wrinkled paper money, showing that the animators took the time to make the money period appropriate! Check out the bills Abby is holding and the ones she has stuffed in her overalls pocket.
I love how fucking AGGRO Abby is at all times. Just maximum aggression 24/7.
Ming was probably the biggest because she has the most rage/emotion, and the ancestors may have needed it to fight rather than keep it hidden
“13 year old girls can still be mean” I’d argue that 13 year old girls are some of the meanest lol.
It's so cute hearing that "Mei Mei" is pretty twice. My ex named my (previously our) dog Mei Ling after a character from Metal Gear (he named all our pets after characters from the game). We usually call her Mei Mei, and it never occurred to me to check the meaning of her name.
is that why he's your ex?
As a Korean-Canadian, a lot of this did hit home. As you mentioned at the end, the struggle between tradition/what you know vs assimilating/what you learn is very real. And I guess also like in the movie, my mother still has never quite assimilated and has stuck to what she has always known, even after so many years in Canada... while my father has always tried to assimilate and adapt. And that caused the similar kind of relationship between parent and child as in the movie where my mother was the strict and judgmental one, while my father was more open-minded and accepting of change and difference.
I have no idea why this movie made me cry so hard. I loved it. Thanks guys.
It was a slow build up for me but if you stick with it it’s a very good movie to me
Another lovely reaction! Being 1st gen British Born Chinese, this movie felt very relatable, and got me emotional! Yes, the tiger mum & quiet dad (or vice versa) are stereotypes, even cliches, but at the same time, they do represent a very common experience for many Chinese (although by no means exclusive to Chinese culture). Most tiger parents actually DO want the best for their children, and love them fiercely (while rarely openly expressing it!), but at the same time, their massive expectations & vicarious ambitions whilst perfectly understandable, are huge pressure & often problematic for their kids. Like George says, it's complicated and messy.
It's tough when your parents keep raising the bar of expectation when you succeed at something because it feels like you're never doing enough to make them happy. You just want to hear a genuine "I'm proud of you" instead of "that's good but here's what you have to do next"... so many of these parents, while they love their kids, unintentionally breed resent in them. Imagine living a life where all you do is succeed but it's never good enough for your parents. I'd snap.
Pixar has a pattern of pairing overbearing moms and chill softer dads (Brave, Coco, Luca, Turning Red)
Director Domee Shi did a great job with this film. In a lot of ways, Meilin was based on Domee's own childhood experiences growing up in Toronto. So even though it's fictional, this is her autobiography to some degree.
Regarding 4*Town, not only did Finneas O'Connell write the songs with his sister Billie Eilish, but he also got to be Jesse the oldest member of the group.
This boy band has a lot of potential in my book. It'd be cool if they starred in their own short film featuring a couple of new songs. Just sayin'.
He wanting to cry on every scene with intense Chinese culture is so cool hehe I relate so much, being a South American I wanted to cry during the entire encanto
I'm a 59 year old guy from northern England. Why does this movie connect with me so much? Why do I love it so much? Actually I know why....I love the great writing, the wit, the subtlety, especially in the imagery - you pick something new up you missed every time you watch it. I was about 2 months late for this movie because the thumbnail on Disney Plus of the 4 young girls in the street dancing put me off. I thought this would never be for me in a million years. The premise of a girl who turns into a Red Panda intrigued me a lot though and I reluctantly decided to try it out. I'm so glad I did because I truly believe this is one of the best animated movies I have ever scene. So damn good! A beautiful movie which I firmly believe will become a classic.
I absolutely loved this movie, especially the colour palette and animation aesthetic. It was awesome to see both of your reactions and perspectives, both from Simone who was a teenage girl during that time, and from George as a first gen Chinese Canadian. I didn't realize how much Canada needed it's own Pixar movie until now, so many great references and nostalgia. And I appreciated that they set this movie in the early 2000's, before social media and smart phones, etc... I honestly think this movie was made for people in their early 30's lol, this definitely represented my formative teenage years.
It's a shame the movie's art style is hating on because "cal-arts bad," the hate is just ridiculous
18:06 He literally has the equivalent of a bear atacking him, that's not an ordinary panda. Plus she went beast mode, idk what's so surprising about him crying. xD
I wish I was 13 again so I could experience this movie to the fullest. I just finished watching it and I loved it! It's so cute! And I'd definitely watch it again and again.
I relate so hard to having 'fanfic' thoughts that are just so out there when I was a teen. I'm glad girls get to grow up with movies like these that show that it's okay to have those thoughts.
That's what really stood out to me in this movie, beside the cute art style, art direction and animation. The music (and background music) was so nice to listen to. The coloursss! Aaaaaah! Just like Luca, the pallette is soooo nice to look at!
I loved it!
George's pain at the "duty" sequence is so great.
As a Korean, I sort of want to tell my mom to watch this as a passive aggressive move but she's not someone who would watch an animated movie by herself :b she was never as extreme or overbearing as Ming (though she did once force me to close my deviantart account cause she thought it was full of shady people solely based on the website name) but close enough to the point where I could easily imagine her behaving the same way and it made me shudder watching this 😂 Also can't relate to having a passive Asian dad. In an argument, they'd both gang up on me :/
I love to see finally a reaction from a chinese canadian perspective, many people thought the mom it's way too strict and protective and didn't understand many things without thinking the difference in culture and how aisan parents grow their kids
Honestly, it's refreshing to see Pixar experimenting and deviating from its established art style - there is a LOT of anime influence in this movie, from the body language to the facial expressions. Gives a lot of life and personality to this movie.
It's really nice to hear people calling the SkyDome the SkyDome.
1. Those four friends are total squad goals for me
2. Mei's red panda is adorable
I believe Turning Red is the first Disney/Pixar that focuses on adolescence, puberty, and even periods. Periods are still stigmatized, and it's sad. I liked Turning Red because I have never seen ANY kids' content where they normalize menstruation, let alone talk about it. I was so glad to see Pixar pop that stigma bubble. When Mei's mom thought Mei was getting her period, she told Mei that it was expected, was nothing to be embarrassed about, and tried to give her everything she needed to get through it. It's still something that no one talks about, but we should because it's part of our everyday lives and crucial to our health as women.
In my opinion, this movie was a great way to show the emotional rollercoasters teens go through.
Apparently, Turning Red is also the first Pixar film in the comany's 36-year history to be solo-directed by a woman. And there was an all-female creative team. Finally!!!
i think it’s kind of crazy we treat periods as some dark secret not to be told to kids when kids get periods everyday. i’m sure 8 year olds don’t want to learn about periods, but for some, it’s not up to them, they have to. imagine how much more of a healthy attitude we could have towards periods if we encouraged kids to be knowledgeable about them. like there are young children who have older sisters-i don’t see the point of them being kept in the dark about it. i especially hate this internalized misogynistic view i’ve seen of “hiding it from boys as to not offend them”. i get that it has to do with bodily fluids so it’s a bit gross, but we don’t choose to have periods so we should have a more neutral view. if boys and men were more informed about it, when periods became a topic in their lives (girlfriends, wives, daughters)it wouldn’t be so uncomfortable. like what if one of these boys who wasn’t told anything about periods grows up to be a dad of a daughter, then loses his wife? that wouldn’t be a fair way to raise that daughter
The Aunties are a universal thing. My family's Italian-American immgrant, and my Aunties pretty much dressed, acted, and talked like Mei's Aunties. Dressing up like middle-age fashionistas with their fancy purses and distinctive 'dos, constantly feeding you, the first thing out of their mouths is about your weight or looking like your mom/dad, etc.
I loved this "my panda, my choice"
Nope! The money was accurate! They used the last paper bill that we had that actually was put into print in the year 2002. The 1986 style would've still been seen in circulation, but the newly printed bills would've been the ones they showed in the movie. The one with kids playing hockey on the backside.
"Thank you for your concern, mother." Finally, someone reacted to my fav line.🤣
It was great to see 2002 Toronto in animated form. Spadina, the TTC, the CN Tower and the SkyDome (before it became The Rogers Centre)… all accurate!
All in all, a very fun, sweet movie, eh.
Watching this movie made me understand my parents more - about their strictness and being curious with the things I always do that can really make the situation awkward.
After all those years, I am happy they did.
YES!!!! This movie is so good. I'm so happy this movie is set in Toronto and equally so that Toronto and Canada's Chinese community has this representation in animation now. The city looks gorgeous, the story is great and oh my god Abby is intense! I swear she's like a 13 year old version of Agnes from Despicable Me "You're so fluffy!!!!" Okay, I'm done. I'll watch your reactions now. YAY!!!!
1, great move, great reaction. We need more films like this in the world.
2, find someone who looks at you the way George looks at that cooking scene.
24:12 The henshin by jewel is all Sailor Moon reference. And the aunts doing it at the same time is definitely Super Sentai.
every time i see that i just yell out "It's morphin time!." or any other morphin phrase i can remember.
The only unbelievable part of this movie is at the beginning where the streetcar waits for Mei. I've had drivers see me running, literally 20 feet from the stop, and they just keep rolling through, eyeballing me the whole time.
Watched this amazing movie a few days ago and yours was the reaction I was most looking forward to seeing (not just because you're fellow Canadians either). Still shocked to see it so soon!
27:29 I saw some of this first hand when I was in high school my best friend was Korean. His parents were very traditional and didn't speak English. I think they spoke a little but not around me. His dad was a pastor at a Korean church. My friend was very americanized though, on the football team, etc.
I truly love this movie. I think one of my favorite characters is Jin. No shouting, no anger, just calm caring acceptance.
While my experience wasn't the same as Meilin's or the same as George's, I was 15 in 2002, and I did struggle a little bit with doing what my mom told me to and what I wanted to do and experience as a teenager in high school. And I think that particular theme is very universal and I think that's why this movie has wider appeal. We've all been there even though our experiences are all so different.
When they were showing shots of the city and all the little stores I thought it would be funny if we saw Kim's Convenience as an Easter egg.
both your reactions and this movie are so sweet i'm getting a toothache over here
This movie pleasantly surprised me. I’m 16. I watched this with my twin sister and we both had a lot of laughs.
I haven’t watched a lot of Disney movies, but I’m pretty sure this was one of the only ones with mentions of puberty, and especially periods, which isn’t brought up in Disney.
It was relatable and heartfelt, and it was also quite emotional. One of my favorite Disney movies!
That's an amazing movie that made me cry a lot. Everything touching family traumas or parents-child relationship hits home. But this one...oh how I've felt the "be perfect for your parents" and not being able to express what you feel... I also love how they talk about puberty like it's just normal, because it is. Body changes, behavior changes, parents not being prepare for it... The whole "I thought I had more time" speaks volumes for me. Don't just wait for your kids to be in a mess to explain the mess. Do it sooner. Even little kids can understand some basic stuff if you put heart into it, not just throwing things at them. I wish I could have that kind of talk with my mother. But she was long gone when my body decided it would make me suffer for years because I became a woman. Even the pain is shown in this movie, with hot...whatever you call it english water thing. Family traumas, how the way you raise your children will impact their parenting and the one coming after... The series Fruits Basket, both in manga and anime form, does wonder with that subject. We do not speak of our feelings in my family. Too bad, I'm an emotional wreck who can't contain herself. It was hard to find understanding, and still is. Then you learn to keep quiet and deal with it on your own. I love this movie, I'm so sad it didn't came on theater, even if I'm avoiding them in a basis. Just thinking of people who like to go there.
We just watched this ourselves the other day, it's such a beautiful, relatable and slightly harrowing tale. I'm so happy we got to share this experience with you both, and I really hope you did call your dad after this!
No, that’s what Canadian money looked like in 2002. Those are the bills (called the Journeys series) we had just before the current polymer ones we have now. They were the same colours (blue, purple/pink, green, red, tan) as they are now, but they were still made of paper and had different icons/designs. Although since they only came out in 2001, there were definitely still some of the old-old bills (the Birds of Canada series) in circulation then as well.
Thanks so much for this outstanding reaction! George - you're perspective for this one really took things to another level. Very well done! I watched this the other night with my wife and daughter. We all really liked it as well.
About the red fortune sign on the wall: the word "倒" (upside down, lay down, drop, pour, etc.) in some contexts pronounced the same as "到" (come, arrive, appear, etc.) So hanging the fortune signs (mostly written as "財" = money/fortune or "春" = spring/(good) start of a new year) upside down means you wish something good will come to you. Mostly like a traditional good luck charm.
Just watched this the other day with family. 50 y/o Scotts-Irish American, at least 6th or 7th generation, probably much more! I am sure the Asian-Westerner (American/Canadian) experience is unique in many ways, but, I think, too , that we can all relate to issues of parental expectations, rebellion, awkwardness, friendship, and family. I can't imagine anyone not feeling something from this movie!
Some people seem to miss it, but the final part of the Panda fight, just before she head butts her Mom, there is some seriously tragically poignant and truly heartbreaking dialogue between the two of them. I can't think of enough superlatives for this movie. It's absolutely amazing. Why some people dunk on it so hard, I will never know.
"I'm getting some Peter Parker vibes from her"
Later
"I'm just excited about Math"
yeah, I can see how they'd be friends.
It brings back memories of my friend being grounded when her parents found her secret stash of fanfic drawings. Lol
This was like watching old home movies for me. My mother still wants to discuss some of my personal choices from years ago, but she does at least let me make those choices now
I was 3 in 2002, but i still knew every like 90’s early 2000’s reference. I saw myself and my group of friends in the 4 besties. LOVE this movie
I love this movie so much and I loved your reactions to this. This movie means so much to so many different people, and it was really interesting to get George's take on the portrayal of a Chinese family. Also... I spy a Mollymauk t-shirt!
I loved Turning Red. The movie to me is like a combination of several Disney Channel shows like The Owl House, The Proud Family and American Dragon Jake Long. It's both funny and heartwarming.
Ming might be the biggest cause she had so many unspoken emotions when she locked her panda away
I just clicked on this and was not ready for "Look At This Graph" jesus lmao
26:55 That's such a good catch! Would never have known that as an US viewer!
No, the red theme is not about menstruation. They just mention menstruation and she didn't even have it. I feel it's more about the Chinese symbols of red and red pandas.
I really liked the fact that this was set in Toronto. So few major studio movies are. And all the little details were spot on, like the old style streetcars (as opposed to the newer space age looking ones they use now).
I also appreciated the look of this film. It wasn’t typical Pixar style character design. If anything, the adolescent characters reminded me of Ardman artwork. If you go back and look at old ‘Wallace and Grommet’ films, you’ll see what I mean.
If you haven’t already, also check out “Embrace the Panda”, the behind the scenes documentary, which is available on Disney+. For me, it gave an even deeper appreciation for the storytelling.
In the end mei with her tail and ears looks like mario
The mom looks so cute with red hair and glasses xD
This is probably my favorite reaction from you guys so far. Especially since it hits so close to home. I may not be from Canada but I am first gen asian-american
I used to get bullied and that kid would always cry like hell whenever I told a teacher and it always freaking worked. Tyler infuriated me to no end…
My one personal major complaint about this movie is that they're suddenly just friends at the end. Like, I get that the writers wanted to make it a feel-good movie, but the dude was absolutely terrible to her, and then she tried to kill him. You don't just become friends because you're at the same concert.
I wanted to hug Goerge so badly watching this.
Such a funny, emotional and realistic movie.
I cried at the end😫
The kid was attacked by a literal bear. I think it's fair to be scared
I love to keep discovering similarities between cultures as far apart and different as Chinese and Mexican :) I think we have a strong family structure that in some cases and situations can turn a bit oppresive and frustrating, expectations are high and respecting your parents and grandparents can sometimes become more important than anything... until you find a balance. I loved the “embrace all of you” message :)
Thank you for doing this reaction. Had a shitty day but had a big smile when I saw the thumbnail. Super cute movie
her friends are supportive
OMG George is crying!!!! Thats how you know that it hurt so welll!!!
The moment this movie dropped on Disney+ I was looking forward to seeing your reaction at some point, not realizing it was going to come out pretty much immediately. I especially wanted to hear George's viewpoint on how well it represented the Chinese-Canadian experience. I personally really loved the movie, and even though I'm neither a girl or Chinese-Canadian, being a very white guy from Norway, I was definitely able to latch onto the aspect of being a teenager in the early 2000's, and that aspect felt very authentic to me.
I watched this yesterday with my family and we all loved it. I felt the first 15 or so minutes was a bit off balance but then it found its groove and it was nice ride after that. I was surprised that they didn't release this in theaters and then I thought that they may have decided against it in part because one of the big themes is so similar to Encanto, that being toxic family dynamics, Of course, there was no way for the audience to know that before watching but I feel that might have been a factor.
So great to get your insight and thoughts George, it was interesting how authentic they were with the culture and traditions. Great reaction or 反应热烈 (don't know if that's right)
I'm an immigrant myself, and although I am not from a Chinese background, I can relate a lot to the experience in general of worrying about "letting down" your family or family history, if that makes sense.
Personally, I think a lot of the repression the older family members experience is also partly a result of the effort needed to even survive as immigrants in a very different culture; I know that I personally have had to struggle to acknowledge my feelings because it can be so difficult and overwhelming at times that it seems like the only thing I can do to try to survive is save my feelings for another time when I have the energy or means to address them.
It's not a healthy thing to do, but I think it can be so hard that it becomes almost the only option in the moment, and then as things remain difficult or get even harder, the day to process feelings gets pushed further and further away....
Like at the moment, I have been dealing with a lot of back and forth about my current visa application, the outcome of which will decide the rest of my life, and much of it is out of my hands. I am exhausted, stressed, scared, and feel like crying all the time. But if I cry, and they call me, how will I defend myself and pitch my case convincingly with a wavering voice? I have to be strong for my family and for myself, and it's hard if not impossible to find any support from others because it's really only other immigrants who will understand, and each person has very different circumstances.
It's very hard. I feel for her and her family, and for everyone else going through anything similar, either past or present.
Im mexican not chinese but still, being raised by immigrants makes a lot of the interactions hit rrrrrrreal close to home. Like yeah im just a latin dude but i connected with the MC way more than i expected. That 0 communication about emotions. The weighted expectations. Especially being the first born or only child...woof
Canadian here, It was so cool seeing toronto and other canadian bits in this movie, i dont live in the city itself but i do live in ontario and i felt right at home
"I was never a panda"... nice try to recover from a slip
When I watched this movie, I KNEW you two had to react to this. ❤️
I watched another TH-camr who was raised by Asian immigrants react to this movie, and they said it seemed to be unnecessarily critical of Asian culture and values. Seeing you have a very different reaction to it is fascinating. I appreciate seeing the varied perspective.
let me assume ,that person was american born? no wonder lol
Omggg thank you so much for this conversation, I related to this movie in two major ways:
1) definitely as a first gen Latin American whose mom wanted to best for their child (albeit with the surveillance of a hawk), I was v over achieving while also cherishing the relationship I had with my mom so struggling to have my identity while reconciling that with how I valued my upbringing.
2) as a queer male I also identified with this drastic coming of age (liking boys, having certain friends, wanting to make my own life) that also could be read from this movie that often came into conflict with my cultural and childhood identity
This movie was excellent and I’m glad of the direction that Pixar is taking with this filmmm
Ps also as an avid anime fan this was a great touch and style of animation I definitely lovedddd
6:47 i think her mom thought it was too late because she probably got hers late and was like “oh this is normal so when shes at the age i was at ill be ready” and mei obviously was on time. So her mother wasnt prepared
That was lovely. Thank you both for that!
18:02 Need to tell ya all...
She Really looks soo Pretty Good when Rage make Her Eyes Turn into Burning Coal bits with Her Murderous Look.
Just Amaizing.
I read on Internet than the movie is kind of autobiography of Domee Shi (the scene with the mom at school really happened to her)
Feel like ming is using "mei mei" as "pretty pretty." Since lot of chinese also double a character for younger members of as a sign of affection. Especially since her full name is "Meilin Lee". Kinda like how Abuela said "Brunito" as "little Bruno" and how in english we shorten names or shorten and tack on a -y at the end like David to Davey or Dave. In my family we addressed the youngsters like that too. Our last character in our full name was repeated as kids.
It's so good. One of Pixar's best in a long while.
This was such a special reaction. Thank you!
MeiMei Is My Spirit Animal!😭🥹🤣🥰🐼🤗❤️📺
I absolutely adore the animation in this. It's that hyper real, but cartoony movement. But especially I love Mei's Red Panda animation, cuz they manage to make the movements exaggerated and super cute.