Turning Red (2024) - Quotes

Meilin "Mei" Lee: I'm Meilin Lee, and ever since I turned 13, life's been a lot. People still talk about Pandapocalypse 2002. Mom and I just call it... growing pains.

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [to Sun Yee] I'm not going to regret this, am I?

Meilin "Mei" Lee: I'm changing, Mom. I'm finally figuring out who I am, but… I'm scared it'll take me away from you.

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [while fighting Mingzilla; flies directly towards her] WELL, SORRY, I'M NOT PERFECT! SORRY, I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH! AND SORRY, I'LL NEVER BE LIKE YOU!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [starts shaking her butt at Mingzilla] Oh, that's nothing! You wanna see crass?!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [seeing that Tyler's a fan of 4*Town] You are a 4*Townie?!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: The panda's a part of me, and you guys are too.

Meilin "Mei" Lee: I'm keeping it.

Meilin "Mei" Lee: The panda's dangerous… outta control.

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [to Tyler] Buzz off, jerkface! I'm busy!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [freaking out when she learns that 4*Town's concert and the red moon ritual are on the same night and realizes she can't be in two places at once] I CAN'T MISS 4*TOWN! WE WORKED SO HARD! But...but the ritual. I'LL LET EVERYONE DOWN!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: I can't be like this forever. My whole family would freak. Especially my mom. All her hopes and dreams are pinned on me.

Meilin "Mei" Lee: Just one last time. Hey, Tyler! You want the panda? You're getting the panda! Let's hear it for the birthday boy!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [to Tyler; holds out his hand] Hey, dorkbag. We're in. But you only get the panda for an hour. And we're not bringing any presents. (Tyler: Deal.)

Meilin "Mei" Lee: All right, troops, listen up. The boys are coming to the SkyDome, May 18th. Our goal: Four tickets. That's 800 bucks!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: We need to see this concert! Why doesn't my mom get that?! I never ask for anything! My whole life, I've been her perfect little Mei-Mei. Temple duties, grades… (Abby: Violin!) (Priya: Tap dancing.) Yeah. We've been so good. If they don't trust us anyway, then what's the point? (Miriam: Wow. Who are you? I love it.)

Meilin "Mei" Lee: I know my mom's worried, but sometimes she's just so… so… (Miriam: Wacko?)

Meilin "Mei" Lee: (Ming: How is this possible? What happened to your panda?) It's easy. When I start to get emotional, all I do is imagine the people I love most in the whole world… Which is you guys.

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [sighs] I hate this! I'm slobby, I'm smelly! My mom won't even look at me, and now 4*Town? When are they coming? (Abby: May 18th. They just announced it.) The 18th?! There's no way this will be gone by then! Just go...go become women without me! (Miriam: Mei, it's gonna be okay.) No, it's...it's not! I'm...I'm a freak! Just… Just leave me alone.

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [furiously trying to rip the tapestry of Sun Yee into shreds] YOU CURSED US! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: Don't look at me! Stay back!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: Tyler is an insecure jerk wad. Words were exchanged. Slightly uncomfortable secrets were revealed.

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [sobs] I'm a gross red monster! Stop it! STOP TALKING!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [scolding to her reflection; slaps herself] You are her pride and joy, so ACT LIKE IT!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [hugging a photo of her and Ming] Mommy, I'M SO SORRY!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [scolding herself after Ming confronted Devon about her private drawings and being publicly embarrassed] You sicko! What were you thinking?! Why would you draw those things? THOSE HORRIBLE, AWFUL, SEXY THINGS?!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [thinking; glances down at her notebook] Don't look at the notebook, don't look at the notebook, don't! No!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: Okay. I know what it looks like. I am my own person, but that doesn't mean doing whatever I want. Like most adults, I have responsibilities. (Don't get me wrong.) It's not all about me, you know? I do make my own moves, it's just that… some of my moves are also hers.

Meilin "Mei" Lee: Jesse went to art school. Tae Young fosters injured doves. Robaire speaks French. And Aaron T. and Aaron Z. are, like, really talented too. We are 4*Townies, remember? Ride or die!

Meilin "Mei" Lee: [first lines of the film; She lifts a tray to her mom in a photo; Ming gives Mei a whole load off food; Ming and Mei do the peace sign; Ming and Mei holding a trophy; In the spa with Mei and Ming; Mei now grown up in her teen years lifts the tray to her mother Ming; the scene cuts to her in close-up; to the viewers; She leaps out of the picture frame and lands onto the sidewalk, carrying a case; revealing her case; She tries to do a cartwheel; crashes and quickly collects her stuff; on the trolley; Showing her card to the driver] The number one rule in my family? Honor your parents. They're the supreme beings who gave you life who sweated and sacrificed so much to put a roof over your head, food on your plate, an epic amount of food. The least you can do in return is every single thing they ask. Of course some people are like, "Be careful". Honoring your parents sounds great, but if you take it too far, well, you might forget to honor yourself. Luckily, I don't have that problem. I'm Meilin Lee. And ever since I turned 13, I've been doing my own thing, making my own moves; 24/7, 365! I wear what I want, say what I want, and I will not hesitate to do a spontaneous cartwheel if I feel so moved! Crap! Not to brag, but being 13 means I'm officially a grown-up. At least according to the Toronto Transit Commission.