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Over the Moon (2020 film)

Over the Moon is a 2020 animated musical fantasy film directed by Glen Keane (in his feature directorial debut) and co-directed by John Kahrs, from a screenplay by Audrey Wells, with additional screenplay material by Alice Wu and Jennifer Yee McDevitt. The film was produced by Pearl Studio and Netflix Animation, and animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks. It stars the voices of Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Ruthie Ann Miles, Margaret Cho, and Sandra Oh. The plot follows an adventurous girl named Fei Fei, who builds a rocket ship to meet a mythical goddess on the Moon.

Over the Moon
Official release poster
Directed byGlen Keane
Written byAudrey Wells
Produced by
  • Gennie Rim
  • Peilin Chou
Starring
Edited byEdie Ichioka
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • October 17, 2020 (2020-10-17) (MFF)
  • October 23, 2020 (2020-10-23) (United States)
Running time
100 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • China
LanguageEnglish
Box office$860,000[1]

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. 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. It is the final film that Wells worked on before her death, and it was dedicated to her memory.

Plot

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A girl named Fei Fei is being told the legend of the Moon goddess Chang'e who took a potion for immortality, causing her to become a goddess and ascend to the Moon without her lover Houyi, and awaits for him there. In preparation for the annual Moon Festival, Fei Fei, a 7 year old, and her family make mooncakes for the village. However, Fei Fei's mother falls ill, and gives her daughter a white rabbit named Bungee. She passes away when Fei Fei is 9.

Fei Fei, now 13, who still believes in Chang'e four years after her mother’s death, is upset when she learns that her father is engaged to Ms. Zhong, and is annoyed by her energetic 8 year old son, Chin, who has a pet frog. Fei Fei's family joins them for the Moon Festival celebration, and she remembers her mother. 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. She designs a rocket that resembles a Chinese paper lantern in the shape of a rabbit that uses fireworks to boost her speed. Her rocket almost succeeds until she realizes that Chin snuck aboard her rocket and they begin to crash to Earth. Suddenly, the rocket is captured in a mystical beam of energy and taken to the Moon. They crash-land after being beset by 2 friendly winged foo dogs, who then rescue them and take them to Lunaria.

They are introduced to Chang'e and her backup dancers, the Lunettes. Chang'e tells Fei Fei that she was supposed to deliver a gift for Chang'e to bring Houyi back. Fei Fei takes a photo with Chang'e to prove she is real, but Chang'e takes the photo from Fei Fei and demands the gift. Fei Fei doesn't know what she is talking about, and a frustrated Chang'e announces a competition to find her gift before the last of the moondust falls. Fei Fei gets upset with Chin and leaves him, getting a ride with the Biker Chicks to the crash site. Chin sees some Lunettes with the photo and is captured by Chang'e who demands the location of the gift. Chang'e challenges Chin to a game of ping pong to learn the location of the gift, but Chin wins, further upsetting Chang'e. Chang'e cries in despair that she will never see Houyi again. While Chin is trapped in a chamber by Chang'e, Bungee follows the Jade Rabbit into his workplace. Meanwhile, Fei Fei and the Biker Chicks head to her rocket's crash site, where the former meets an exiled Lunarian named Gobi. She discovers her Chang'e doll, which she suspects to be the gift, but the Biker Chicks snatch the doll and leave Fei Fei and Gobi behind.

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. Fei Fei and Gobi catch up to the Biker Chicks, but during their scuffle, the doll is destroyed. However, Fei Fei discovers in one of her mooncakes a broken half of an open jade circle matching one that Chang'e wears around her neck, and realizes that it is Chang'e's gift. They return to Lunaria's palace, rejoin Chin and Bungee, and present the gift to Chang'e, who makes a full jade circle. Chang'e and Houyi are then briefly reunited, but Houyi tells Chang'e to move on before fading away. Refusing to accept this, Chang'e slips into a state of depression, plunging Lunaria into total darkness.

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. Realizing that they both must move on from their tragedies, Chang'e and Fei Fei encourage each other to find the love all around them. This allows the two to accept their loved ones' deaths, restoring light to Lunaria.

Chang'e thanks Fei Fei and allows her and Chin passage back home—excluding Bungee, who stays on the Moon with Jade Rabbit—and lifts Gobi's banishment. Fei Fei and Chin bid farewell to the Lunarians and return home, where Fei Fei accepts her father and Mrs. Zhong's marriage and Chin as her stepbrother. Fei Fei builds up a loving relationship with Ms Zhong and her new stepbrother Chin. About a year later, Fei Fei is 14 and living happily with her new family. It is the Moon Festival again, and she sits with her father and looks up at the Moon, watching as cranes fly up towards it in the night.

Voice cast

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  • Cathy Ang as Fei Fei, a 13-year-old girl who believes in Chang'e ever since the loss of her mother.
  • Robert G. Chiu as Chin, Mrs. Zhong's 8-year-old son and Fei Fei's stepbrother.
  • Phillipa Soo as Chang'e, the mythical Moon goddess who yearns to be with her true love Houyi again. The outfits worn by Chang'e in the film were designed and created by haute couture Chinese designer Guo Pei.[2]
  • Ken Jeong as Gobi, a pangolin Lunarian and former royal advisor who was exiled a thousand years ago.
  • John Cho as Ba Ba, Fei Fei's father.
  • Ruthie Ann Miles as Ma Ma, Fei Fei's late mother.
  • Sandra Oh as Mrs. Zhong, Ba Ba's new fiancée, later wife and Fei Fei's stepmother.
  • Margaret Cho as Auntie Ling, one of Fei Fei's aunts.
    • Cho also voices Gretch, one of the Biker Chicks.
  • Kimiko Glenn as Auntie Mei, another one of Fei Fei's aunts.
    • Glenn also voices Lulu, one of the Biker Chicks.
  • Artt Butler as Uncle, Fei Fei's uncle.
    • Butler also voices Bill, one of the Biker Chicks.
  • Irene Tsu as Grandma, Fei Fei's grandma.
  • Clem Cheung as Grandpa, Fei Fei's grandpa.
  • Conrad Ricamora as Hou Yi, Chang'e's true love

Soundtrack

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The score was composed by Steven Price and recorded at Synchron Stage Vienna.[3] Original songs were written by Christopher Curtis, Marjorie Duffield and Helen Park.[4]

Tracklist

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No.TitlePerformer(s)/ComposerLength
1."On the Moon Above"John Cho, Ruthie Ann Miles and Cathy Ang1:31
2."Mooncakes"Cho, Miles and Ang4:19
3."Rocket to the Moon"Ang3:48
4."Rocket to the Moon (Reprise)"Ang2:01
5."Ultraluminary"Phillipa Soo3:20
6."Hey Boy"Soo and Robert G. Chiu1:47
7."Wonderful"Ken Jeong and Ang2:37
8."Yours Forever (Reprise)"Soo and Conrad Ricamora2:00
9."Love Someone New"Soo and Ang3:36
10."Moon Phases"Steven Price2:13
11."It's Good To Meet New People"Steven Price3:23
12."Family Invasion"Steven Price2:47
13."Nighttime Conversation"Steven Price1:40
14."Science Project"Steven Price1:44
15."Journey To Lunaria"Steven Price4:51
16."Consider Yourself Welcomed"Steven Price5:24
17."This Road is a Suicide Mission"Steven Price1:38
18."A Bonding Experience"Steven Price2:55
19."I've Lost Everything Now"Steven Price5:49
20."The Chamber of Exquisite Sadness"Steven Price3:44
21."Remember When We Said Goodbye"Steven Price3:27
22."Back Home"Steven Price5:12
Total length:1:10:00

Production

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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.[5][6] On February 6, 2018, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film and Glen Keane was set to direct.[7] However, during this, Audrey Wells died in 2018. The film was dedicated in Audrey Wells' memory.

While studios like Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar have become known to use groups of people known as the Braintrust and Story Trust to help with the script, Keane said that "Creative decisions here aren’t made by committee".[8]

The city of Lunaria was inspired by the cover of Pink Floyd's album The Dark Side of the Moon and the paintings of Joan Miró.[9]

Animation was provided by Pearl Studio and Sony Pictures Imageworks.[10]

Steven Price was 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).[11]

The cast was announced in June 2020.[12]

Release

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The film was released in select theaters[13] and on Netflix on October 23, 2020.[14] Prior to its October 23 debut, Over the Moon was shown at the Montclair Film Festival on October 17.[15] A day before its release, a book written by animation historian Leonard Maltin about the history about the film called Over the Moon: Illuminating the Journey, was released on October 22.[16] In January 2021, Netflix reported 43 million households had watched the film.[17]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 81% of 100 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.9/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Although many of Over the Moon's narrative ingredients will seem familiar, the film's absorbing animation offers colorful compensation."[18] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 60 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[19]

Peter Debruge of Variety wrote: "Sometimes it's OK for an adventure to be just an adventure, and this one gets in the way of its own assets, while pointing to the potential of future journeys from the Netflix animation team."[20]

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards April 25, 2021 Best Animated Feature Glen Keane, Gennie Rim and Peilin Chou Nominated [21]
American Cinema Editors Awards April 17, 2021 Best Edited Animated Feature Film Edie Ichioka Nominated
Annie Awards April 16, 2021 Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects in an Animated Production Ian Farnsworth, Brian Casper, Reinhold Rittinger and Zoran Stojanoski Nominated [22]
Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production Robert G. Chiu Nominated
Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Feature Production Glen Keane Nominated
Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production Steven Price, Christopher Curtis, Marjorie Duffield and Helen Park Nominated
Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Feature Production Audrey Wells Nominated
Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production Glen Keane Nominated
British Academy Children's Awards November 27, 2022 Feature Film Glen Keane, Gennie Rim, Peilin Chou Nominated [23]
Golden Globe Awards February 28, 2021 Best Animated Feature Film Glen Keane Nominated
Critics' Choice Super Awards January 10, 2021 Best Animated Movie Over the Moon Nominated [24]
Best Voice Actress in an Animated Movie Phillipa Soo Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Awards January 27, 2021 Best Original Song in an Animated Film "Rocket to the Moon" – Christopher Curtis, Marjorie Duffield and Helen Park Nominated [25]
Motion Picture Sound Editors Awards April 16, 2021 Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Animation Jeremy Bowker, Qianbaihui Yang, Chris Frazier, Alyssa Nevarez, Larry Oatfield, Dee Selby, Bradley Farmer, Ronni Brown and Jana Vance Nominated [26]
Visual Effects Society Awards April 6, 2021 Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature Glen Keane, Gennie Rim, Céline Desrumaux and David Alexander Smith Nominated [27]
Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Siggi Orri Thorhannesson, Hyesok Kim, Javier Solsona and Alan Chen (for Chang'e) Nominated
Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature Ian Farnsworth, Brian Casper, Reinhold Rittinger and Jennifer Lasrado Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Over the Moon (2020)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  2. ^ Begum, Mumtaj (June 25, 2020). "New animated musical 'Over The Moon' features designs by Chinese couturier Guo Pei". The Star. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  3. ^ "Over the Moon - SynchronStage Vienna". www.synchronstage.com. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  4. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (28 August 2020). "How Netflix's Animated 'Over the Moon' Bridges Folklore and Science in Anthemic Theme Song". Variety. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  5. ^ Nancy Tartaglione (26 September 2017). "Oriental DreamWorks Names Peilin Chou As CCO; Designs Robust Animation Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Glen Keane's 'Over the Moon' Artfully Illustrates Healing from Grief Through Play". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  7. ^ Amanda N'Duka (6 February 2018). "Glen Keane to Direct 'Over The Moon' Animation Film For Netflix & Pearl Studio". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  8. ^ Barnes, Brooks (11 October 2019). "Netflix Goes All Out to Wow Children as Streaming Wars Intensify (Published 2019)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  9. ^ Desowitz, Bill (October 21, 2020). "'Over the Moon': How Glen Keane Leveraged His Disney DNA for Netflix's Chinese Moon Goddess Fable". Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  10. ^ Drew Taylor (23 June 2020). "Netflix Reveals Details, Trailer for Upcoming Animated Musical 'Over the Moon'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Glen Keane's 'Over the Moon' to Feature Score by Steven Price & Original Songs by Christopher Curtis, Marjorie Duffield & Helen Park". Film Music Reporter. 23 June 2020. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  12. ^ Nancy Tartaglione (23 June 2020). "'Over The Moon' Trailer: Netflix & Pearl Studio's Animated Musical Adventure Reveals Voice Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  13. ^ Taylor, Drew (September 22, 2020). "Netflix's Over The Moon Movie Trailer Pairs Breathtaking Visuals With Pop Music". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  14. ^ Taylor, Drew (August 28, 2020). "Netflix's 'Over the Moon' Behind-the-Scenes Featurette Reveals Release Date and Peek at the Music". Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  15. ^ "'Over the Moon' Roundtable with Glen Keane Coming to Montclair Film Festival Oct 17". October 8, 2020. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  16. ^ Maltin, Leonard [@leonardmaltin] (September 2, 2020). "Delighted to share the cover for my upcoming book, OVER THE MOON: ILLUMINATING THE JOURNEY, to be published by @TitanBooks on October 22" (Tweet). Retrieved October 23, 2020 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ "Every Viewing Statistic Netflix Has Released So Far". What's on Netflix. Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  18. ^ "Over the Moon (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  19. ^ "Over the Moon (2020)". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  20. ^ Debruge, Peter (9 October 2020). "'Over the Moon' Review: Netflix Celebrates Chinese Culture With Dazzlingly Designed but Otherwise Conventional Lunar Toon". Variety. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  21. ^ "The full list of 2021 Oscar nominations". Guardian. 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  22. ^ "2021 Annie Award Nominations: 'Soul,' 'Wolfwalkers' and Netflix Lead". Variety. 3 March 2021. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  23. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (25 October 2022). "'Dodger,' 'The Snail and the Whale' Lead BAFTA Children and Young People Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  24. ^ Hammond, Pete (November 19, 2020). "'Palm Springs', 'Lovecraft Country' Top Movie And Series Nominations For Inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards; Netflix Lands 35 Nods". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  25. ^ Grein, Paul (January 27, 2021). "Diane Warren & James Newton Howard Among Top Winners at 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  26. ^ Erik Pederson (March 1, 2021). "Sound Editors Nominate 'Wonder Woman', 'Sound Of Metal', 'Tenet' & Others For Golden Reel Awards – Full List". Deadline. Variety Media, LLC. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  27. ^ Pederson, Erik (March 2, 2021). "VES Awards Nominations: 'Tenet', 'Midnight Sky', 'Extraction', 'Soul' & 'Mandalorian' Among Titles In Visual Effects Hunt". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
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