Review of  Animated Drag Superhero Film  MAXXIE LAWOW: DRAG SUPER-SHERO     

I always believe in meeting things where they are intended.  So, I review a Godzilla from the period when kaiju were portrayed as wrestlers differently then I rate Shin Godzilla.  Thus, when I decided to check out MAXXIE LAWOW: DRAG SUPER-SHERO by Director Anthony Hand, there were some things that I was looking for: camp sensibility, humor, and great music and performances.  It delivered on all of these things.      It also has a large helping of heart and messages of self-empowerment.     

In the movie, we follow Simon, who encounters an alien creature that takes the form of an animated wig.  The wig first transforms Simon’s hair color and soon his entire life, letting him transform from an everyday shy barista to a drag queen superhero.  It is a good thing, too, as the evil Dyna Bolical (played by Terren Wooten Clarke) is embarking on a plot to kidnap and exploit drag queens to achieve domination in the world makeup market.   The movie is a lot of fun with a great soundtrack featuring pop tracks from Grammy-nominated vocalist Angie Fisher.   Chubby Beagle Productions handled the animation, and it stands up for the most part, but an alternate universe version of this done by anime studio Trigger lives in my head rent-free for some reason.   The film features a who’s who of drag queen royalty, including  Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCrème, Monét X Change, and Rosé.  I also have to shout out to Erika Mari Ishii, who almost steals the show as Maxxie’s side-kick Jae.

In this current world, I think we all need stories of acceptance, diversity, and fun, so I think you should hit your favorite video on-demand service and watch it with some of your friends and a few cocktails.