Over the Moon

Full Movie Synopsis Over the Moon

Over the Moon is an animated musical film produced by Netflix and Pearl Studio released in 2020. Directed by Glen Keane, the film combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and family drama with inspiration from Chinese mythology, particularly The Legend of Chang'e, the goddess of the moon. The film follows the emotional journey of a young girl named Fei Fei who seeks to understand loss, love, and courage through an extraordinary adventure to the moon.

Background Story

Fei Fei is a bright and passionate girl living in modern China. Since childhood, she grew up with stories from her mother about Chang'e, the moon goddess who lived in Lunaria, the city on the moon, after losing her true love, Houyi. This story is not only a fairy tale for Fei Fei, but also a reminder of her close bond with her mother, who always made her favorite moon cake every Moon Cake Festival. However, when Fei Fei was about 10 years old, his mother died of illness, leaving Fei Fei and his father in deep mourning.

Four years later, Fei Fei, now 14 years old, begins to feel threatened when her father shows signs of wanting to remarry a woman named Mrs. Zhong. Mrs. Zhong brings along her son, Chin, an 8-year-old boy who is cheerful but often upsets Fei Fei. Fei Fei felt that her father had forgotten her mother and their shared memories. To prove that true love like the story of Chang'e and Houyi is real and eternal, Fei Fei decides to do something impossible: go to the moon to meet Chang'e and prove the existence of the goddess.

Adventure To The Moon

With his genius in science and technology, Fei Fei designed a homemade rocket inspired by The Legend of the Moon Rabbit and Chang'e's flying chariot. He used the principle of electromagnetism and simple materials to build the rocket. However, during the launch, Chin accidentally enters the rocket, and the two of them launch into space with Fei Fei's pet rabbit, Bungee, who turns out to have a special ability.

After passing through a colorful cosmic storm, Fei Fei and Chin arrive at Lunaria, a magnificent city of the moon and full of neon lights. Lunaria is a fantasy world filled with strange creatures such as giant moon bunnies, glowing birds, and frog bikers riding motorcycles. Here, they meet Chang'e, who turns out to really exist. However, Chang'e is not the gentle goddess as in Fei Fei's mother's fairy tale. She is a glamorous, dramatic, and egocentric figure, much like a pop diva, who still misses Houyi and is caught up in eternal grief.

Mission in Lunaria

Chang'e agrees to help Fei Fei prove true love, but on condition: Fei Fei must find the mysterious “gift” Chang'e asked for. This gift turned out to be the key to bringing Houyi back to him. Fei Fei, Chin, and Bungee embark on an adventure in Lunaria in search of the prize, aided by Moon creatures such as Gobi, a lunar pangolin who is wise but loves to sing out of tune, as well as Jade Rabbit, a lunar rabbit loyal to Chang'e.

Along the way, Fei Fei begins to understand that her mission is not only about proving something to her father, but also about facing her own grief over the loss of her mother. He also begins to open his heart to Chin, who turns out to have the courage and loyalty that make him a good brother. Meanwhile, on Earth, Fei Fei's father and Mrs. Zhong frantically search for them, adding an emotional dimension to the story.

Climax and resolution

When Fei Fei finally finds the gift Chang'e asked for—a moon doll symbolizing eternal love—she realizes that Chang'e is not only looking for Houyi, but also peace within herself. In a heartwarming moment, Fei Fei helps Chang'e accept the fact that Houyi will not return, and that true love also means letting go. At the same time, Fei Fei learns to let go of her grief over the loss of her mother and accept the changes in her family.

With Chang'e's help, Fei Fei and Chin return to Earth. Fei Fei is now more open to accepting Mrs. Zhong and Chin as part of her family. He also realized that remembering his mother does not mean rejecting new happiness. The Film ends with a hearty Mooncake Festival, where Fei Fei, her father, Mrs. Zhong, and Chin celebrate together, accompanied by the memory of her mother that lingers in their hearts.

Theme and message

Over the Moon explore themes such as loss, acceptance, and the power of family love. The Film teaches that letting go does not mean forgetting, and that change is part of life. Set against a rich Chinese cultural backdrop, including the Mooncake Festival and the Chang'e mythology, the film also celebrates cultural heritage while conveying a universal message of emotional healing.

Musical and Visual elements

Film ini menampilkan lagu-lagu orisinal yang ditulis oleh Christopher Curtis, Marjorie Duffield, dan Helen Park, seperti “Rocket to the Moon” dan “Ultraluminary,” yang memperkuat emosi cerita. The visuals are stunning, with Lunaria's colorful and imaginative design, combining modern aesthetics with traditional Chinese elements. Animasi yang halus dan ekspresif, dipadukan dengan pengisi suara seperti Cathy Ang (Fei Fei), Phillipa Soo (Chang’e), dan Robert G. Chiu (Chin), makes these characters lively and likable.

Conclusion

Over the Moon is an emotional journey that mixes fantastic adventures with a heartfelt story about loss and acceptance. Through Fei Fei's struggle, the audience is invited to see that love, both for family and oneself, is a force capable of overcoming grief and bringing light, like the moon that always shines at night.