The Tiger's Apprentice

A review by Marc Primo "The Tiger's Apprentice" initially appears as a significant step forward for Asian representation in animated cinema, boasting a star-studded cast of renowned Asian actors like Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Bowen Yang, and Greta Lee. However, the film itself falls short of expectations. It seems the filmmakers focused so much on assembling this impressive cast that they neglected to invest enough in the storytelling. While the movie has its moments of charm and visual appeal, they are overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the narrative.

At the heart of the story is Tom Lee (played by Brandon Soo Hoo), who has been raised by his grandmother (portrayed by Kheng Hua Tan) in a sprawling San Francisco residence filled with trinkets and charms, leading some in the neighborhood to speculate that she possesses magical abilities. Despite appearing as a typical 15-year-old high school student, an incident where he accidentally sends a bully soaring into the ceiling makes him question his normalcy. This event draws the attention of Loo (played by Yeoh), a sinister character intent on obtaining a mystical necklace protected by Grandma, capable of unleashing catastrophic power if it falls into the wrong hands.

Now in possession of the necklace, Tom is rescued by Hu (Golding), a tiger capable of transforming into a human. Hu is one of twelve symbols of the Chinese Zodiac sworn to protect humanity from the malevolence embodied by Loo. Reluctantly, Hu becomes Tom's mentor, guiding him in the ways of becoming a guardian. He introduces Tom to the team, which includes the dragon Mistral (Oh) and the cunning rat thief Sidney (Yang). Numerous battles between good and evil unfold until the world's fate rests in Tom's hands.

Looking past the star-studded cast and the allure of its Asian-inspired backdrop, themes, and characters, "The Tiger's Apprentice" lacks genuine originality, innovation, or creativity. While I haven't delved into Laurence Yep's 2003 YA novel (the first in a trilogy), a brief plot summary on Wikipedia suggests a story that initially sought to modernize Chinese mythology but now appears to have been refined into just another fantasy tale reminiscent of Harry Potter and its counterparts. It adheres to the familiar formula of an ordinary child unearthing extraordinary powers across multiple installments. Instead of presenting young audiences with something novel and enthralling, the filmmakers opt for more of the same. The result is a movie where you can foresee each plot twist well in advance, yet struggle to recollect much about it later on.

One significant flaw lies in how the film fails to fully utilize its greatest strength: the exceptional cast. Despite having a lineup of such talented actors, many of them do not get the opportunity to showcase their abilities. This is due to the rushed storytelling and the short duration of the film, which is just under 80 minutes before the credits roll. Apart from Yeoh and Golding, who portray major characters, and Yang, who provides comic relief, the rest of the cast struggles to leave a lasting impact. For instance, Greta Lee, who plays the Rabbit, barely has any dialogue in the film. Interestingly, while many complain about lengthy movies, this one could have benefited from an extra 15-20 minutes to allow the story and characters to develop more fully.

"The Tiger’s Apprentice" is not a terrible film; it showcases impressive animation and has some amusing moments. However, it falls short of effectively utilizing its potential for innovation. While it may be entertaining for younger audiences, it lacks the depth needed to fully explore its promising mythology and characters. With enough support, it could lead to a sequel that does justice to the rich elements within the story.