Over the Moon: A Review

Losing someone you love is one of the worst things that can happen to a person. The hole that is left in one’s life will never be entirely filled again. It can be difficult to accept change after, as well. Change and moving on means that the person you love is really gone forever. What lengths would you go to in order to keep change from happening?

In Over the Moon we are on a journey with a girl trying to figure that out. The animated musical was released for streaming by Netflix in 2020, arguably a time when many people really needed it. Over the Moon boosts an amazing cast and crew. Glen Keane and John Kahrs add their expertise in directing this animated treat. Over the Moon also has a lovely score to help move the story forward. 

As a young girl, Fei Fei has a wonderful life. Her father and mother are loving. They have their own business where they make mooncakes. However, Fei Fei’s life is turned upside down when she loses her mother to illness. Fei Fei holds onto her mother tightly through memories, repetition, and her favorite story of a goddess. When her father plans to marry someone else, Fei Fei decides to prove that the goddess, Cheng’a (voiced by Hamilton’s Phillipa Soo), is real by building a rocket to the moon, believing that this will remind her father how much he still loved her mother and stop the wedding. The ensuing adventure teaches Fei Fei about love, loss and family. 

The music for this movie is fantastic. The songs are perfect for each scene. The composition of the score conveys the emotion written into each scene. The animation is so beautiful. Phenomenal, really. I was blown away by the animation and the style they chose! These two aspects are enough to watch the movie alone.

The cast was spot on. The talent of the cast pours through and carries the story forward. The characters are interesting. They are multidimensional and lovely even with their flaws. 

I loved Over the Moon. As someone who has also experienced deep loss the whole story really hit home. The message of the film did as well. While grief is explored, it is not the only thing in the movie. In fact, Over the Moon perfectly balances the topic of grief with that of continuing to love. 

I highly recommend Over the Moon. It is a beautiful movie that is full of depth. The animation and music alone are fantastic. I hope you will enjoy this lovely movie.  

ALWAYS KEEP SPARKLING!!!