So, I decided to give this whole “My Life as McDull” thing a try, you know, just to see what the fuss was all about. I’d heard things, seen snippets, the usual internet osmosis. Figured it was about time I jumped in, rolled up my sleeves, and got my hands dirty.
First thing I did was track down a copy. That was easier said than done, let me tell you. It’s not exactly mainstream, this McDull fella. Anyway, after a bit of digging, I found it. Settled in one evening, no distractions, just me and this animated pig.
The first watch-through was… interesting. I mean, it’s a cartoon, but it’s not really. It’s got this weird mix of childish humor and then these moments that just hit you right in the feels. Lots of narration from this older McDull, voiced by some guy named Jan Lam apparently, talking about his younger self. It’s all about hopes and dreams and then, bam, reality. I started to record some of my thoughts in a notebook, just random stuff, nothing fancy. I can share some of them if you are interested, let me know.
- “Why is this pig so relatable?”
- “Okay, this is actually kind of sad.”
- “Is this what growing up in Hong Kong is like?”
I had to do some research. Turns out, McDull is kind of a big deal over there. A symbol of local culture, a “repository of the changing landscapes of Hong Kong,” whatever that means. This guy Toe Yuen directed it, and some Brian Tse produced. Apparently, it’s a spin-off from a TV show. Who knew?
After a couple more viewings, I started to get it. It’s like watching someone’s life unfold, with all the ups and downs, the silly moments, and the heartbreaks. It’s about growing up, figuring things out, and dealing with disappointment. It’s surprisingly deep for a cartoon about a pig.
I even went down a rabbit hole, reading articles and stuff. People have written whole essays about this thing! They say it’s a reflection of life for a kid growing up in Hong Kong. It makes sense, I guess. It feels real, even though it’s animated. Someone called it “an incredibly cute and bittersweet animated feature.”
I started to see myself in McDull, in his struggles and his dreams.
It’s like the movie is holding up a mirror, showing you a part of yourself you didn’t even know was there. I started to write down some of the quotes and dialogues in the movie. It’s a bit messy but I want to show you guys the words that hit me. I guess you could say I’ve become a bit of a McDull convert. It’s not just a cartoon, it’s an experience. It’s something that sticks with you, makes you think, makes you feel. And yeah, it’s definitely worth a watch, or two, or five.
