Fei Fei is very intelligent and determined and doesn't like to give up. YOLO. The impact of her death is palpable, yet we know nothing about her, only that Bastian is a very sad little boy. Sometimes it's so good it stands out, but other times the story mechanics are very familiar with Disney that it can make the film very far from being a success. Marshmallow had been voiced by David Herman, who also voices the characters Phillip Frond, Mr. Branca, and Trev on the Fox cartoon. "The last conversation I had with Audrey, just a few months before she passed away, was sitting in my office. Fei Fei decides to prove toher dad that a couple should be eternally bound to each other,so she goes to the moon to find the goddess Chang'e, who's hopefully been reunited with her soulmate, Houyi. Watch Over the Moon | Netflix Official Site But in reality, neither Change nor Fei Fei is truly alone, they both still have people to care for them. The pain of losing a parent is devastating. Over the Moon is a charming Chinese inspired animation that's both victim to that but also different to that and thankfully sets the bar quite high in animated filmmaking. David Herman as Marshmallow on "Bob's Burgers". What can we do to foster pride in our Chinese heritage during a pandemic that has been distinctly anti-Asian? Natalie Behring/GettyWarning: this article contains some graphic descriptions.An Idaho forensic pathologist on Wednesday detailed how doomsday mom Lori Vallow's two children were killed in 2019, including how her 7-year-old son was allegedly strangled to death by a plastic bag over his head and duct tape over his mouth.Dr. Fei Fei doesnt much like the woman who might be her future stepmom; if the young girl had it her way, there would be no dates of any kind in her dads future. he continued. During our at-home, prescreening offered by Netflix one of the perks of having a writer mama my 7-year-old was enraptured from the opening scene. The story (written by the late Audrey Wells, who died in 2018, and to whom the movie is dedicated) derived from the Chinese myth of the moon goddess, who achieved immortality but lost her love . "I referred to it as a dream and she said, 'No, it wasn't.' In modern retelling of Over the Moon in which Change, along with Fei-Fei and her father, finds freedom is revolutionary in allowing its characters to quest for happiness beyond loyalty to the deceased. What you willand won'tfind in this movie. Over the Moon is about a young Chinese girl named Fei Fei who, in memory of her late mother, builds her own rocket ship to travel to the moon to prove the existence of the legendary Moon. Over the Moon is quite similar to the Disney film Onward, wherein the protagonist, Ian is trying to recover from the death of his father. That said, I'm on Twitter @RenaldoMatadeen. Later on, she started getting weak for unclear reasons. It broke Carl because it was their dream to be explorers, causing him to hole up in their home. They explained she would break down into tears saying "mum is dead and she's not coming back" the school thought she was talking about me. "Over the Moon" is streaming on Netflix. Admittedly, seeing Ba Ba struggling and afraid to tell Fei Fei he's found another love is a tough pill to swallow, especially since it's so relatable. The film grossed $860,000 worldwide; it earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature Film, and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards. Hence, moving on is one of Over the Moons major themes. Ayo Edebiri has since taken over the role. Watch Video: 'Wolfwalkers' Directors Say Medieval Irish Folklore Highlights Same Fear and Division Prevalent Today. After watching Over the Moon, which begins as a sweet, lovingly detailed portrait of a Chinese family before blasting off to a busy lunar dreamscape awash in psychedelic colors, K-pop-style numbers and angry space chickens, you might wonder if a much stronger ingredient found its way into those mooncakes. On September 26, 2017, Pearl Studio hired Audrey Wells to write the script for the film called Over the Moon, which was based on an idea by Janet Yang about a retelling of the classic Chinese myth. Inspired by Pink Floyd's album cover for "The Dark Side of the Moon," the entire atmosphere of Lunaria is equally vibrant and luminescent. Hence, Houyi decides to stay mortal and hides the elixir. Directed by Glen Keane, Over the Moon stars Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Robert G. Chiu, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Ruthie Ann Miles, Margaret Cho, Kimiko Glenn, Artt Butler and Sandra Oh. We miss being immersed in the hustle and bustle of dim sum rushes and watching our little one eat his weight in dumplings. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Over the Moon (2020) - IMDb Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? I screamed, helpless. It has left her putting love on a pedestal she shouldn't, and she has to mature and experience this realization on her own. She died shortly after, in which Ba Ba tells Fei Fei. Then, on Oct. 8, she posted a final update. Just found out that Audrey Wells wrote Over the Moon as a last love letter to her husband and daughter before she died and now I am going to cry I was taught since childhood that suffering is a venerable requisite in life, that there is honor in embracing ones bitter fate. But we can see that multiple moon festivals happen . She was so sick that she ended up having to use a wheelchair. Did you know you can flag iffy content? My son is very aware of racism, having been taught about anti-racism since preschool, and he knows that his mama is worried. So what is a conscientious parent to do? Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). A woman wearing a costume that reveals her legs to the mid-thighs . Over the Moon (2020) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Four years later, Fei Fei still cherishes her moms memory, especially her stories about Change, who famously drank an elixir of immortality and ascended to the moon, where she was forced to spend eternity pining for her mortal lover, the archer Houyi. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? [7] However, during this, Audrey Wells died in 2018. The reason that Over the Moon looks a lot like a Walt Disney animation, even though it's not is because its director Keane, has served as an animator forWalt Disney Animation Studios. The derivations arent surprising. I called out for my child to stop, but under his bright helmet painted with a cartoon lion, he couldnt hear me. We should also note that Alison Brie expressed regret at having played Vietnamese American character Diane Nguyen on "Bojack Horseman" and apologized after the series ended earlier this year. And things only get worse when Fei Feisees Chang'e on the dark side of the moon, becoming bitter and depressed in her palace, leaving her to wonder if true love actually exists and if it will eventually doom her as well. The emphasis on grief, in this case, has a real-life inspiration. NOW WATCH: Netflix is headed for a huge profit milestone in 2018, Visit Insider's homepage for more stories, during the film's production after a battle with cancer, Warning: There are spoilers below for Netflix's animated film "Over the Moon.". Parents need to know that the fantasy violence in Over the Moon is only mildly scary, and the sadder scenarios -- a dying mother, a "Chamber of Exquisite Sadness" for the grief stricken -- ultimately lead to positive lessons and personal growth. You can help us help kids by Did you know you can flag iffy content? And yes, I've written sports for them too! Kids handling death is pretty heavy and it's even tougher as she finds her dad moving on, wanting to marry Ms. Zhong. It stars the voices of Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Ruthie Ann Miles, Margaret Cho, and Sandra Oh. KEEP READING:Kipo And The Age Of Wonderbeasts' Series Finale, Explained. But that incident was the last time our only child was allowed on a scooter for months. Belafonte and Robinson were married for nearly 50 years and welcomed two children, Gina and David, before they divorced in 2004. She is also a worker at her family's bakery, the specialty being mooncakes. As he disappears, it's heartbreaking, with Chang'e going into a depression and blacking out her kingdom. Starring: Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong Watch all you want. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images). Most other representations of Asian culture and family demonstrate, by contrast, how dehumanizing it is to paint billions of people with the same brush. The kids display courage and determination, and they learn the expansiveness of love. The film was produced by Pearl Studio and Netflix Animation, and animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks. She Wanted a 'Freebirth' at Home. When the Baby Died, the Attacks Began Short answer: Its about grief. It is the final film that Wells worked on before her death, and it was dedicated to her memory. Oh, FYI, I'd love to write the Gargoyles movie for Disney. A boy and a girl hug (not romantically). While Fei Fei's experience shows her what love isactually about,and she learns to accept her stepmother and stepbrother, the endingis not as happy as it seems. Any parent would be scared, but news headlines about hate crimes against Asian Americans during the Covid-19 pandemic rushed through my mind, flashing images of seniors assaulted and children stabbed at a store. 2023 Cable News Network. In Fei Fei's case, though, she suffers a lot more loneliness and despair asshe wasn't prepared for death and her dad didn't educate her properly on how to cope with the ensuing grief. appreciated. Fei-Fei builds a rocket to the moon to prove the existence of the Moon Goddess to her father. [10], Steven Price is confirmed to be the film's composer while new original songs are being handled by Christopher Curtis (from Chaplin: The Musical), Marjorie Duffield and Helen Park (from KPOP the Musical). I am a Chinese American who emigrated as a child and worked at our familys takeout restaurant starting when I could barely see over the counter. Chin sees some Lunettes with the photo and is captured by Chang'e who demands the location of the gift. plus I doubt they are . Young Fei Fei: Magnetic levitation's the coolest. Houyi soon realises that if he becomes immortal, his wife would not be with him for eternity and he will have to spend most of his life alone. The potential power of the films release during a time when some of our countrys top leaders model hate as a winning strategy is noteworthy. Common Sense Media Reviewer Shedoesn't get closure,spends barely any time with Houyi anddoesn't get to apologize for taking the pills in the first place. McArthur chose to leave not just the few people on the moon but the entire earth to die. Prone to fits of temper and stardust tears, she dwells in a brightly hued palace that resembles nothing so much as an arcade-game Candyland, from the singing-and-dancing gumdrops packing the massive concert arena to the squeaky-voiced sentient mooncakes that do the goddess bidding. The movie finally ends with Fei Fei chasing Chin. 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. Catholic Daily Mass - Daily TV Mass - April 22, 2023 - Facebook This page was last edited on 14 April 2023, at 13:08. Four years later, when her dad brings home a new girlfriend (Sandra Oh), complete with annoying 8-year-old son Chin (Robert G. Chiu), Fei Fei decides she must take extreme measures to stop the budding relationship. Ever since the film was released, fans on Twitter have been appreciating its heartwarming storyline and mesmerising animated sequences. All rights reserved. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He made the choice and never looked back. Fei Fei tries to reach out to Chang'e, but the moment she enters Chang'e's state of sadness, she also becomes depressed due to a vision of her mother. Kids can learn a little about Chinese customs and, Family, home, and tradition are pillars of a child, Fei Fei displays great courage in building a rocke, Young girl loses her mother to illness, struggles, Fei Fei's parents hug and show plenty of affection, The moon goddess is said to have taken a magic pot, Parents need to know that the fantasy violence in Over the Moon is only mildly scary, and the sadder scenarios -- a dying mother, a "Chamber of Exquisite Sadness" for the grief stricken -- ultimately lead to positive lessons and personal growth. 'Over the Moon' review: Glen Keane's animated myth doesn't lift - CNN They end up rescuing the bird and a dog, Dug, from the madman Muntz, and as Carl becomes a grandfather to Russell, it brings the theme of family full-circle. The news came following the show's episode in February. DBS MORNING SHOW & OBITUARIES 25TH APRIL 2023 APRIL 2023 - Facebook South Korean singer Moon Bin of Astro at a Chanel event in Seoul on January 26, 2023. She is portrayed by Cathy Ang. Netflix's Over The Moon has a happy ending on the surface, but when one peers deeper, a major character is left heartbroken and feeling incomplete. Over the Moon was first shown at the Montclair Film Festival on October 17, 2020, followed by its Netflix and select theaters release on October 23. 2. I loved seeing my childs face light up at the scenes of family celebrations, especially because we couldnt host a crowded dinner of our own. A report on Travel China, reveals that Over the Moon is based on a popular Chinese myth which goes like this, there are ten suns in the sky and it is always very hot. From Jenny Slate on Big Mouth to Hank Azaria on The Simpsons. In Fei Fei's mind, this will confirm that no one can replace someone's true love; therefore, no one can replace her mom. 2020 | Maturity Rating: 7+ | 1h 40m | Kids. Menu. Read |7 Best Halloween Movies on Netflix: List of thrillers to watch on October 31. He Named Her "Moon Child" - Drew Mackie Has a Website She is shown as number 1 in her class, although when she was researching her rocket, she wasn't doing very good. I also write about music in terms of punk, indie, hardcore and emo because well, they rock! Starring: Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong. Fei-Fei builds a rocket to the moon to prove the existence of the Moon Goddess to her father. She asks if the word "magic" stays in Luna's head and explains that she locked it away to keep Luna safe. The story introduces the audience then takes them beyond the Chinese myth of the Moon Goddess, a woman named Change who drinks an immortality elixir awarded to her hero husband by the gods, and floats up to the moon for all eternity. Heres why: Fei Fei is warned that if she enters the chamber she might never return but she goes in anyway and pleads Change to return. Don't you think so? Here are some examples of shows where this happened, from "Big Mouth" to "The Simpsons. Read more about how we rate and review. . According to the film's production notes, Wells wrote it as a variation of "The Wizard of Oz," which just happens to be her favorite film. While he is fading away Houyi tells Change that she needs to move on. Appearance She was a woman with long dark hair, she used to wear a Chang'e blanket as a scarf. "Journey Moon was born a sleeping angel on Oct. 7 at 8 lbs 13 oz," she wrote. Fei Fei, who still believes in Chang'e four years later, is upset when she learns that her father is engaged to Ms. Zhong, and is annoyed by her son, Chin. In Over the Moon, Fei Fei takes a bite out of the mooncake and finds the other half of the amulet, which is the gift she was looking for this entire time. K-pop star Moon Bin, a member of the boy band Astro, has died at the age of 25, his music label Fantagio said . The comedian said that "Black characters on an animated show should be played by Black people" when she gave up the role of Missy on the Netflix animated series. Parents need to know that the fantasy violence in Over the Moon is only mildly scary, and the sadder scenarios -- a dying mother, a "Chamber of Exquisite Sadness" for the grief stricken -- ultimately lead to positive lessons and personal growth. While Chin is trapped in a chamber by Chang'e, Bungee follows the Jade Rabbit into his workplace. Over the Moon is a family movie that reinforces the message that we need not swallow bitterness; instead, we can change our fate. Audrey wells who wrote the film wrote it to her daughter and husband before she died of cancer. Long-time Disney artist (and son of the "Family Circus" comic panel Bil Keane) Glen Keane brings his experience on films like "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," and "Tangled" to his first film as a director, and we can see the Disney influence in the strong, big-eyed female leads and the Broadway musical-style "I Want" and other character-revealing songs. Be prepared for your kids to cry. The wildcards are not here but you know what? This allows the two to accept their loved ones' deaths, restoring light to Lunaria. It launches Fei Fei and her soon-to-be brother, plus pets, into a fantasy world on the moon. This tradition has become more popular across China and is celebrated as a mid-autumn festival now. And have trouble sleeping being afraid of death. Secondary characters are also entertaining, especially humorous, defenseless sidekick Gobi (think Sven in Frozen) and incorrigible tag-along little brother Chin. Over the Moon's Ending Isn't as Happy as It Seems - CBR This Mid-Autumn Festival season, a holiday like Thanksgiving where loved ones reunite over a feast under a harvest moon, help comes from an unexpected source, a Netflix original available this week. Netflix's new animated movie, " Over the Moon ," centers around a young girl named Fei Fei (Cathy Ang), who travels to the moon in a rocket ship to discover if Chang'e is real despite being teased for still believing in the legendary goddess, whom her mother introduced her to before she died. The director of this film is the renowned Disney character developer behind such classics as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Tarzan, and Tangled. In the film, Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) travels to the moon in a rocket. Fei Fei and Gobi head to Lunaria on the backs of giant toads, where Gobi reveals that Chang'e exiled him due to a song about moving on. RELATED: Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts Bosses Talk Potential Movie Spinoffs, Sequels. Americans are facing not only a Covid-19 pandemic but an epidemic of heightened racism against Asians. All Rights Reserved. Not bad for someone from the Caribbean, eh? [11], The film was released in select theaters[13] and on Netflix on October 23, 2020. Chin treats Fei Fei like a sister from day one; she takes more time to warm to him. We need this film, this small antidote, to shield our children and ourselves, to challenge harmful stereotypes about Chinese people and instill cultural pride. According to Stop AAPI Hate, a national reporting center formed to track and respond to incidents of hate and discrimination spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic, in recent months Over 80% of Asian American youth report being bullied or verbally harassed., 'Go back to China,' Asian-American kids targeted due to virus. Over the Moon - Movie Mom Because moviegoing carries risks during this time, we remind readers to follow health and safety guidelines as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials. Fei Fei | Over the Moon Wiki | Fandom This wasn't the case, so she has the Jade Rabbit, a wizard,make her potions to bring him there. WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Over The Moon, now streaming on Netflix. The Wizard of Oz isnt the only family-friendly classic referenced in a Chinese-set, English-language movie that dutifully grafts Western storytelling formulas onto Eastern folklore. Animated fantasy violence: two kids taking off in a homemade spaceship that almost falls back to earth, instead crashes on moon, splitting into pieces before kids are saved by space creatures. What did you think of the "lunarians" and their candy-colored world and castle in the sky? Bastian's mother's name was 'Moonchild!'". Fei Fei's journey from her home to the moon is meant to parallel Dorothy's journey from Kansas to Oz in the classic film, "The Wizard of Oz. By the end of the film, you may wonder if Fei Fei's journey to the moon really happened or if it was all in her head as she learned how to grieve her late mother and embrace her new life without her. Arif Zahir has been recast in the role. They're trained in creating high-quality parenting advice based on best practices in child development. Luckily for us, the car stopped in time, but it was far too close for comfort. Um we want to meet some of them. The director Glen Keane, making his feature debut, is a longtime animator whose storied Disney career includes character work for The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast; his co-director, John Kahrs, is a Disney and Pixar veteran who made the Oscar-winning animated short Paperman. Over the Moon may hail from beyond the Disney umbrella, but it nonetheless bears a recognizable corporate imprint, from its abundance of cute animal sidekicks and so-so original songs to its strategic exploration of grief as both premise and theme. "Over the Moon" is the final screenplay written by Audrey Wells ( "The Hate U Give" ), who died of cancer in 2018 a tragedy that ripples poignantly through the opening scenes of young Fei. At some point she married Ba Ba and gave birth to Fei Fei. Young boy tries to run through walls but only runs into them. Did you know you can flag iffy content? I would never know. However, the story gets dark from here because Houyi arrivesonly for a few seconds,telling Chang'ethat sheneedsto move on. And I havent yet mentioned the expressive-eyed rabbits, the portentous crane, the army of giant floating frogs or the fast-talking green dog (Ken Jeong) with the stretchable-taffy tongue. She designs a rocket that resembles a Chinese paper lantern in the shape of a rabbit that uses fireworks to boost her speed. Chang'e challenges Chin to a game of ping pong to learn the location of the gift, but Chin wins, further upsetting Chang'e. [17], On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 81% of 100 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.9/10. So, they are not here. Bell stepped down from her role as Molly, a mixed-race character on the Apple TV+ show, in June. Netflixs latest animated film Over the Moon arrived on the platform on October 23. [9], Animation was provided by Pearl Studio and Sony Pictures Imageworks. Fei Fei gets upset with Chin and leaves him, getting a ride with the Biker Chicks to the crash site. Stories of a goddess on the moon who fought off demons and took an immortality potion to await reunion with her loved one, not knowing he had already died on earth. Friends and family members care for, defend each other. The title seems perfect as the characters are literally travelling to the moon, but the phrase also means a state of being delighted or extremely happy. Houyi does this till the day he dies. Fei Fei becomes depressed and masks it by becoming a tomboy of sorts, but one can tell it still haunts herlater in life. So she really did go, and really did meet Chang'e, and all of that really happened. The comedy-drama is helmed by Glen Keane and based on the epic screenplay written by Audrey Wells in collaboration with Alice Wuand Jennifer Yee McDevitt. Families often bond over food, and in Chinese culture, the circular mooncake can serve as a symbol of a family coming together. Based on images from Nasa, Brown University, Rhode Island, published research in 2020 that claimed that while many speculate the moon is dead, recent images could show that the moon: "may still. I remember eating fresh mooncakes as a child and learning that everything is round to symbolize unity and coming together. They wanted to go to Paradise Falls in South America, but life kept getting in the way, and eventually, Ellie fell ill and died. She also can't accept her father getting engaged to a new woman, Mrs. Zhong. ". over the moon mainly BRITISH, INFORMAL COMMON If you are over the moon about something that has happened, you are very happy about it. RELATED:Netflix StreamFest Makes Service Free For 48 Hours. But it flies high past other films of 2020 and could actually be the best animated film of the yearmaybe. Harry Shearer as Dr Hibbert on "The Simpsons". I also write about music in terms of punk, indie, hardcore and emo because well, they rock! And when Fei Fei encounters the blobby, brightly-colored, personality-free inhabitants of the moon, one is reminded of the many family films of late that feel the need to appropriate the Minions. Inspired by a crane and the legend of Chang'e, she decides to build a rocket to the Moon to prove that Chang'e is real. Cinema 52 | Year Two | Bastian's Mom With such dire statistics and rhetoric adding to my anxiety, I have struggled to protect my child physically and mentally. She was shown to be a caring mother who enjoyed telling Fei Fei Chang'e's and the Space Dog stories. get hair loss from every cancer med. 'Over the Moon' review: Netflix animated film overshoots - Los Angeles Ma Ma was Fei Fei's mother and Ba Ba's former wife. A man and woman sing a love song to each other and he touches her face tenderly. We can no longer bus to Seattles International District to soak up the festive atmosphere. She was a woman with long dark hair, she used to wear a Chang'e blanket as a scarf. Updated Full review: Lots of death, a chamber of sadness. Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide. Espaol (prximamente) - volver al inicio, Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More, 50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More, 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12, YouTube Kids Channels for Kids Who Love Cartoons, Exploring and Celebrating Multicultural Families with Entertainment. If that's what you want to believe, absolutely. Additional comment actions. Kids ages 7 and 14 and we let my 14 And then we have the the the lovely ladies and of course, there's the two wildcards. In her song and dance performances, Chang'e's curves are fitted with tight clothing. . Fei Fei (voiced by Cathy Ang) and her mom (Ruthie Ann Miles) and dad (John Cho) sell mooncakes from their bakery and form a happy threesome, until the mother passes away, in OVER THE MOON.