Over The Moon Review

Musicals based on animated films have long been the exclusive domain from Walt Disney Animation Studios – singing, dancing tales that tell the tales of (predominantly) youngsters with huge fantasies, animal-related sidekicks and emotional issues that are ripe for a smoky ballad. Even though Over The Moon is a Netflix film, it's difficult not to view the streaming service's newest animated film as an opportunity to shoot across the bow of The Mouse House.

The film is produced by two Disney veteran directors The first is Glen Keane, an animator for important '90s renaissance movies such as The Little Mermaid and Beauty And The Beast as well as director John Kahrs, who animated on the early Pixar films and Frozen and Frozen, among others. It's also a collaboration with Pearl Studio in China Pearl Studio and Sony Pictures The opening sequence in Over The Moon couldn't feel more Disney which is a huge compliment as it features every glimmer, real emotion, and thrilling music that the famous animation studio has created its own signature.

The non-Disney princess can be described as Fei Fei (Cathy Angel) Fei Fei, an adorable Chinese girl sporting adorable rabbit named Bungee (animal companion – look it up) who grew to watch her parents' mooncake business grow (depicted by warm, tender early scenes) as well as hearing stories about the mysterious and heartbroken Moon goddess Chang'e. It's a life that's which is too good to end and is interrupted with her mother's (Ruthie Ann Miles) sudden death. A few years later and Fei Fei still trying to figure out how. When her dad Ba Ba (John Cho) is trying to bring Mrs. Zhong (Sandra Oh) as well as her energetic child Chin (Robert Chiu). Chiu) to their family, Fei Fei decides to ask Chang'e for help However, first she must figure out the simple task of how to get there. With stunning scenery with real emotional impact and a rousing "I need" song from the"Rocket To The Moon It's an engaging opening reel that evokes the setting for Moana along with Coco.

Resonant and emotional, with contemporary cultural stories in the study of Chinese mythology and some excellent songs.

Then, Over The Moon gets more wild and less conventional at times, for better or for the worse. While it's not the most engaging narrative with the plot's main motivation sometimes getting lost in the process when it flies off into a new and unfamiliar landscape, the style of animation becomes more striking and vibrant particularly on Lunaria the luminous world with a Pixar-like visual abstract. When Chang'e finally comes out in the form of a dance-pop pop diva, who is awash in bubbles of light, not to mention and voiced by Hamilton star Phillipa Soo, she adds an unpredictability that is refreshing to the events. However, among the highs, the more chaotic plotting adds a tinge of hyperactivity and doesn't always blend with the authenticity elsewhere.

Despite these flaws, Over The Moon is emotional and uplifting, with new cultural stories in the exploration of Chinese mythology, as well as several great songs (Chang'e's Ultraluminary is a slick EDM-pop hit). Throw in a likeable central hero who's smart, driven, and scientifically-minded – who wouldn't feel out of place in the Magic Kingdom – and Disney has a potential competitor on its white-gloved hands.