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Abominable
Movie

Abominable

2019 • Unknown

Woke Score
2
out of 10

Plot

A group of misfits encounter a young Yeti named Everest, and they set off to reunite the magical creature with his family on the mountain of his namesake.

Overall Series Review

The film follows the determined teenager Yi, who has become emotionally distant and focused on working to cope with the loss of her father. She encounters an escaped Yeti on her Shanghai rooftop and, recognizing its need for help, she dedicates herself to returning it to its home on Mount Everest. She is joined by her technology-obsessed neighbor, Jin, and his basketball-loving younger cousin, Peng, who both develop their own virtues on the journey. The quest takes them across beautifully rendered Chinese landscapes while being pursued by a wealthy collector and his ruthless zoologist. The story emphasizes that true strength comes from kindness, perseverance, and reconnecting with the bonds of family and friendship. The film is a clear celebration of traditional familial love and the natural world.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics3/10

The film's entire cast of protagonists is Asian, which is authentic to its setting in modern China. The villains consist of a wealthy white male collector, Mr. Burnish, and a ruthless white female zoologist, Dr. Zara, who both represent Western greed and exploitation, which provides a mild anti-Western subtext to the conflict. However, Mr. Burnish is redeemed by the film's end, and the children's merit (compassion, determination) is what ultimately wins.

Oikophobia1/10

The narrative is a road trip that functions as a celebration of China's natural beauty and cultural landmarks. The protagonists' home, the family unit (Yi's mother and grandmother, Nai Nai), and cultural elements like food are portrayed with warmth and respect, establishing a strong sense of home and heritage.

Feminism2/10

The main hero, Yi, is a strong, capable, and independent leader of the adventure. Her strength is rooted in a personal journey of grief and reconciliation with her family and friends, not in lecturing or antagonism toward males. Her male friends, Jin and Peng, are distinct characters who evolve from self-absorption to selfless heroism, demonstrating complementary gender dynamics rather than emasculation.

LGBTQ+1/10

The story strictly adheres to normative structure, focusing on the traditional nuclear and extended family dynamic (daughter, father, mother, grandmother, male/female friendships). No alternative sexualities, gender identity concepts, or queer theory elements are centered or present in the narrative.

Anti-Theism1/10

Morality is objective, presenting greed and exploitation as evil and selfless compassion as good. The core themes are about the magic of nature and the strength of universal human connections, but there is no explicit hostility or commentary against traditional religion, nor are religious figures or institutions presented as villains.