Here at FandomWire, we review the new Paramount+ animated family film The Tiger’s Apprentice, and the article is spoiler-free.
When it comes to most original streaming animated films, my biggest objection is that the human characters look like clones of each other. It’s as if the sentinel event happens from Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Still, instead of the replacement look-alikes walking around alone, the ones they replace are walking around in perfect harmony.
You have some of that at the beginning of Paramount+’s The Tiger’s Apprentice. However, as the film progresses and embraces the mystical quality of its story, the beautiful animation gives way to more interaction with its fantasy-based characters, which are striking and beautiful. By the end of the animated film, you’ll think it’s a magical adventure for the entire family.
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Paramount+’s The Tiger’s Apprentice’s Synopsis and Review:
The story revolves around a teenager in San Francisco, Tom Lee (Tropic Thunder’s Brandon Soo Hoo). Tom is bullied in school and never defends himself because he promises his grandmother, Loo (Kheng Hua Tan). However, when one of his meatheaded tormentors makes fun of his “crazy” Zǔmǔ, Tom unearths power he never knew he had.
Tom sends his classmate flying directly into the ceiling. When he returns home, Mrs. Lee explains how the boy needs empathy. She’s everything a warm and loving grandparent could be. However, the event alerts an ominous mystical figure named Loo (The Brothers Sun’s Michelle Yeoh). She is searching for “Phoenix Egg,” which Lee’s been fiercely protecting.
Tom soon finds out that he is one of a long line of guardians who protect the powerful artifact from miscreants looking to wield its power for their evil wrongdoing. Helping in the quest is Hu (Henry Golding), a heroic tiger who has worked alongside Lee for decades. He is now assigned to teach Tom the ways of guardianship.
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The Tiger’s Apprentice is a magical animated film for the entire family!
The Tiger’s Apprentice has a surprising pedigree behind it. The film is directed by Raman Hui (Shrek the Third), who collaborates with co-directors taking their first steps from respected careers in visual effects and animated art departments: Yong Duk Jhun (Spies in the Disguise) and Paul Watling (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse).
The animation is beautiful, and the visuals are stunning when Tom, played by Soo Hoo, apprentices to Hu, played by Golding. The animated trio brings a visual flair and style usually reserved for theaters or when Pixar is compelled to release one of its films to Disney+. The action scenes are evocative and exciting. What sets the family adventure apart is the themes behind the adventure.
The script is penned by Academy Award-nominated writers David Magee (Life of Pi, Finding Neverland, Mary Poppins Returns) and Christopher L. Yost (Thor: Ragnarok, The Mandalorian). A successful marriage is evident here, with Magee capturing the heart’s soul and delivering a family story and Yost contributing his trademark world-building of fantastical story elements.
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Is The Tiger’s Apprentice Worth Watching?
The Tiger’s Apprentice is a lot of fun, mainly because of its all-Asian voice cast. Hu’s character has a team of guardians who help with his mentorship. For one, Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang is delightful as a cunning and thieving rat, Syndey. And who doesn’t love evil and (be)witching Michelle Yeoh?
Also, Sandra Oh continues to showcase her comic flair as the Dragon, Mistral. Unfortunately, the deep bench is uneven, with notable actors like Greta Lee and Sherry Cola. While some may snicker at the short running time, something streaming services covet, I found the story fresh, fun, and to the point.
Beneath it all, the Asian Hollywood community came together for The Tiger’s Apprentice to support a family film that’s a symbolic tapestry of cultural identity, assimilation, diaspora, and filial piety. Asian stories come to life and are unique to the City of Hills and Golden Gate Dreams.
There’s much to love about Hui’s unique film; even if we like to nitpick at some traditional tropes, we let others of its ilk get away with them.
What did you think of the film The Tiger Apprentice? Let us know in the comments below!
You can stream the animated family film The Tiger Apprentice only on Paramount+.
Grade: 7/10
