“Over the Moon” by John Kahrs

“Over the Moon,” distributed by Netflix, is a colorful computer-animated children’s musical. The protagonist, Fei Fei, begins the film as the only child of a couple who operate a mooncake business. The start of the film can be likened to Disney’s famed movie “Up,” in that tragedy strikes the family early on. Through a musical montage, we watch Fei Fei’s mother’s health deteriorate before she succumbs to an unspecified illness.

Every year, China celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, or Mooncake Festival. This holiday centers around the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese goddess of the moon. The abbreviated myth follows Chang’e, a beautiful woman who is married to a benevolent archer, Houyi, who saves the world from the 10 suns scorching the land, shooting down all the suns but one. As a reward, Houyi receives an elixir of eternal life. He leaves this coveted vial with his wife, who is attacked for the prize. Chang’e decides to drink the liquid of life instead of letting it be stolen.

Fei Fei’s mother often told her of Chang’e, and how Chang’e waits on the moon for her lover Houyi with the mystical Jade Rabbit, who lives to serve the goddess. As Fei Fei’s family gathers to celebrate the Moon Festival a couple years after her mother’s death, Fei Fei soon learns this is not an ordinary family holiday. Her father wants to introduce her to his new romantic interest, and worse yet, her young son.

Credit: Netflix

Meeting her father’s new girlfriend throws Fei Fei’s emotions into a whirl and sets her on a mission. She believes if she can only reach the moon, she can meet the legendary Chang’e and maybe find a way to see her mother again. Much to her chagrin, her potential step-brother, Chin, hides in her space rocket. Through supernatural help, the children do fly to the moon and eventually meet Chang’e. However, it is not the magical experience Fei Fei dreamed of.

Audiences watch as Fei Fei learns that putting up walls to keep people out only isolates her and keeps love away. By seeing Chang’e in so much pain, 3,000 years after losing Houyi, Fei Fei realizes that holding on to heartache only leads to more grief.

Credit: Netflix

Children will love the eye-popping visuals and extremely memorable songs, but the lessons learned are what remains at the end. A particularly compelling scene shows Fei Fei attempt to rescue the goddess from the “Chamber of Exquisite Sadness.” Only those well-acquainted with grief can reach such a place. However, once Fei Fei enters the realm, she’s unable to help Chang’e because her own sadness returns. It’s not until Chin, the rambunctious little boy, busts through the walls that both Chang’e and Fei Fei realize they have to keep moving; they have to keep living.

Fans of Hamilton will enjoy hearing Phillipa Soo‘s (who played Eliza Hamilton in the musical) beautiful voice as she brings the goddess Chang’e to life. Ken Jeong also makes an appearance as a lunar creature, Gobi, who provides comic relief.

“Over the Moon” offers viewers a rich look at Chinese culture and one of their most traditional holidays while also providing a story of the journey to healing. Viewers will understand, along with Fei Fei, that loving others doesn’t mean losing those you loved before. It just means your heart is open and brave enough to let more people in.

You can watch trailer of the film below.