The Tiger’s Apprentice movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Tiger’s Apprentice

This beautiful animation premieres exclusively on Paramount+ on February 2, 2024.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 24 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B

IN A NUTSHELL:

Based on the popular children’s book series of the same name by Laurence Yep, THE TIGER’S APPRENTICE follows Chinese-American teenager Tom Lee (Soo Hoo), whose life changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians. With guidance from a mythical tiger named Hu (Golding), Tom trains to take on Loo (Yeoh), a force that is as powerful as a Guardian but with evil intentions to use magic to destroy humanity. To have a fighting chance against Loo, Tom must reunite all twelve Zodiac animal warriors and master his own newly discovered powers.

The family-friendly film was co-directed by Paul Watling and Yong Duk Jhun.

THINGS I LIKED:

The voice cast is terrific and includes Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh, and Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Henry Golding, Patrick Gallagher, Bowen Yang, Leah Lewis, and Brandon Soo Hoo.
I love that the movie features Hong Kong at the beginning of the movie. My daughter-in-law grew up there! The movie, then, jumps to San Francisco and features Chinatown in that city. I grew up south of the Bay Area and have many memories of going to Chinatown there. I love that Asians are being featured in so many movies lately.
Fun soundtrack.
The movie starts off with a colorful action sequence with interesting characters.
There is some visual, as well as spoken humor.
The animation is lovely, featuring very expressive faces, impressive details, and gorgeous colors.
Dim sum. I love dim sum and the cute shop shown in the film looked authentic with all of those dim sum baskets. I used to do a lot of business in China, and I loved going to those dim sum shops.
Fun soundtrack. Eye of the Tiger. Ha ha
We learn about “Chi lines” and Chi in general.
The animation, itself, is lovely, colorful, and creative.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Not all of the humor lands.
Lots of bickering.
There’s a part at the end that is supposed to be super sad because an important character dies, but then, magically, the consequences are reversed.
It would have been fun to learn more about all of the Zodiac animals, but the story focuses on just a few. It makes sense, though, because there really isn’t enough time, but still…

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

There are some scary-looking green monsters that might frighten younger children.
Kids will learn about the Chinese Zodiacs. When I traveled to China, many times, I went during the Chinese New Year and Spring festivals. It was amazing to see how the entire country decorated and celebrated the featured Zodiac sign for the new year. What Zodiac sign you’re born under is a big deal there.
Animated violence with various weapons
Lots of destruction
People and creatures in perilous situations
Potential profanity is replaced by silly phrases like “Holy Shrimp Fried Rice!”

THEMES:

Unlock the power within
Family legacy
Good vs. evil
The world of magic
Knowing who you are
Losing loved ones
Teamwork
Protecting those you love

FUNNY LINES:

“Oh, it’s on, Fur Face!” – Tom (Brandon Soo Hoo)
“This is it? This is barely a petting zoo.” – Tom (Brandon Soo Hoo)
“No explosions indoors.” – Rabbit (Leah Lewis)

INTERESTING LINES:

“You don’t have to know to understand.” – Grandma/Mrs. Lee (Kheng Hua Tan)
“One day, you will see yourself for what you truly are and for what you appear to be.” – Grandma/Mrs. Lee (Kheng Hua Tan)
“We don’t have to fight. Besides, you’re not very good at it.” – Grandma/Mrs. Lee (Kheng Hua Tan)
“Not everything is what is seems.” – The Tiger/Mr. Hu (Henry Golding)
“People are inherently good.” – Grandma/Mrs. Lee (Kheng Hua Tan)