Over the Moon (2020)

Directed by Glen Keane. Starring (voices) Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Robert G. Chiu, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Sandra Oh, Ruthie Ann Miles. [PG]

Decent youth-oriented animated fantasy adventure never quite takes off…even though reaching the main part of the story requires its young heroine to literally take off for a lunar land of legend. She’s a Chinese teenager grieving over the absence of her deceased mom who decides to build a rocket to prove the existence of a goddess on the moon, her fluffy rabbit and soon-to-be-stepbrother along for the ride. Shaky motivation aside, the writing never fully articulates (or develops) its whimsical spirits and the world they inhabit, but at least the movie is bright and buoyant and mostly easy to take (mostly, except for the moon goddess’ bizarre penchant for busting out obnoxious pop songs, and the tedious comic relief from an exiled pangolin spirit voiced by Jeong, whose mid-movie introduction and mannerisms seem to be a pretty blatant attempt to mimic the “appeal” of that snowman from Frozen). So busy imparting familiar lessons and introducing throwaway stardust glitter and disposable personalities that it never quite becomes magical. Bungee the bunny is an adorable scene-stealer, but even she gets a bad bargain in the wrap-up. Keane’s directorial debut; pic dedicated to screenwriter Audrey Wells, who passed away during production.

61/100