Change Your Image
![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjQ4MTY5NzU2M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDc5NTgwMTI@._V1_SY100_SX100_.jpg)
hoeraufist
Reviews
Bao (2018)
Cheap sentimentality at best.
The above really is all you need to know, but I'm having a slow night, so what the hell. The theme's aren't terribly complex, it's empty nest syndrome and a strained mother/son relationship. In that sense it's actually pretty basic, and you know they're going for cheap tugs at impressionable heart strings. They do seem to be forgetting that this short is leading into a kid's movie, and the metaphor of eating her own food son to stop him from leaving her will no doubt be going over the heads of any child in attendance. It's not that it's a terribly deep metaphor, just a clumsy one.
I think a considerable fumble actually occurs in the fact that the short has an unhealthy message about relationships. I'm certain that any first generation Asian person can tell you some horror stories about their own over-protective or even abusive tiger mom. So, the idea that it's on these kids to apologize for not being a willing recipient of this unhealthy treatment seems unintentional, but it's still the core message of the story. (Again, not terribly deep, but clumsy")
Also, it irks me that the short is preceded by the cast of the Incredibles apologizing for the sequel taking so long to come out. Samuel L. Jackson ends that video with a "without further adieu..." and then they give us further adieu.
I guess the animation was nice. Not quite in the uncanny valley, but just on the left side of it. All in all, I would say, just use the start of the short as your last chance to get snacks or use the bathroom before the movie starts.