Over the Moon
netflixLess than a year after entering the game of original animated features, Netflix has already submitted themselves as one of the strongest companies in the medium, releasing multiple films that challenged the genre both visually and thematically. It has become a genuinely exciting experience when Netflix gears up to release a new animated feature, with the newest being Over the Moon. Teaming the legendary Glen Keane alongside exciting newcomer John Kahrs as co-directors, Over the Moon is a predictably fun and inspired animated outing that, despite some weaker plot points, stands out as another success for Netflix in the animated medium.
The immediate thing to stand out from the film is the animation itself. Where studios like Disney have perfected a single form of animation that is meant to capture the real world in stunning CGI detail, Netflix has proved to be more diverse as a producer and distributor. From the roughness of I Lost My Body to the complex layering of Klaus and The Willoughbys, Netflix has continually celebrated unique and gorgeous animation, with Over the Moon being no exception. Whilst the character and world animation feels similar to Disney in its CGI realism approach, it is in the color and designs where the film stands out uniquely on its own as some of the best animation of the year. One of the best parts of Over the Moon is its backbone in Chinese mythology which is brought to life by the animation. Quite literally, these figures of Chinese myth find life that both respects the origins of their identities while also translating them into the modern animated space.
This unique identity not only creates standout animation but a layered story. The character of Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) is one with a legitimately captivating depth within her. Dealing with the very much so raw emotions due to recent family drama, Fei Fei is trying to find her place in the world and understand her emotions which is a layered and genuine set up for an animated protagonist. Where this is enough for the film to stand out as narrativity strong, it is this backbone in culture and mythology that gives the film a unique yet grounded identity that also serves as a great tool of representation that can be appreciated by all audiences.
Though the set up and final conclusion are quite impressive from an emotional perspective, clearly feeling inspired, it is the middle portion of the film where it starts to feel a bit weaker. Still absolutely watchable, Over the Moon is, at heart, a film meant for kids and the movie unfortunately does lose itself to a decently cliched and uninteresting journey that, despite having incredibly unique players, is a game most have played before. It is this portion of the film that will have — especially older — audience members checking their phones and noticing how much time is left in the feature. For a film that feels so inspired in nearly every other sense, it is disappointing to a point to see that the film couldn't find a more engaging path to get from point A to B that didn’t hurt the pacing of the film as much as it did, but considering the ending does find its footing once again, the overall viewing experience is worthwhile.
Whilst Over the Moon might not be quite the same standout that something like I Lost My Body was, this is yet another overall strong animated outing that continues to prove the potential of the medium. Even if plenty of studios churn out empty and offensively bad animated films with their highest ambitions being fart jokes and a beyond basic message, Over the Moon has a unique and powerful identity that will speak to audiences both young and old and is an easy recommendation for families looking for something to watch all together.
