The original songs include eight varied
and delightful ones by the writing team of
ChristopherCurtis(Broadway’s“Chaplin”),
MarjorieDuffield and Helen Park (off-
Broadway’s “KPOP”).
EDM, hip-hop, folk and Broadway all take
turns shining in such songs as “On the Moon
Above,” “Mooncakes,” “Rocket to the Moon,”
“Ultraluminary,” “Hey Boy,” “Wonderful,” “Yours
Forever” and “Love Someone New.” The movie
also uses traditional Chinese instruments,
like the pipa and guzheng, while singing in
Mandarin is heard.
Director Glen Keane, who worked on “The
Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin” among many
others, brings much of his Disney experience to
“Over the Moon,” this time making his feature
directorial debut. He’s now helped Netflix get
into the animated musical game, thanks to this
collaboration between China’s Pearl Studio and
Sony Pictures.
Fei Fei’s build up for her moonshot and the
launch is perhaps the most thrilling element
of the film and the animators have put a great
deal of thought into expressions for both kids
and adults. The food pops and even the wind is
expressive. But the film looses coherence and
urgency on the dark side of the moon.
Truth be told, Chang’e — voiced fantastically
by Soo — is a bit of an Oz-like dictator, a lunar
diva whose emotions determine everything on
Lunaria. She introduces herself with a boastful
K-pop banger “Ultraluminary” — “Ya ready to
watch me be legendary?” — like Katy Perry on
steroids. “She’s nothing like Mama said,” points
out Fei Fei.