Tyrus (2015) User Reviews

Inspiring story of an incredible man

[isueshin · 9/10 · 17 August 2016]

Tyrus follows the life of Tyrus Wong, 105 year old Chinese-American artist.

Despite his many hardships as an immigrant and outsider, Tyrus thrives as an artist and remains wholly optimistic. He helped create the mystic look of Disney's Bambi, garnering admiration from Disney himself, but he is just as happy to design Christmas cards and menus for his friends when he loses the job.

I think that's what makes the documentary so watchable, because Tyrus himself is so lovable. His narrative is at once complex as it is engaging.

moving and visually beautiful

[aalmedeiros · 10/10 · 19 October 2016]

Wong is a remarkable individual and, until recently, was little known. In addition to Wong's career, the film reviews the history of Chinese- American, and in fact Asian-American artists in the early to mid- twentieth century, mainly in California where most of the Asian immigrants were found.

Pamela Tom's film is low-key, focusing on Tyrus Wong and, especially, his art. She does a wonderful job of showing us what he has made, in so many different media, from Disney animation to painting, to commercial artwork, to kites!

The film is emotionally moving without being manipulative. Tom has many years experience in film and television and her film is crisply professional without being slick. She announced it's been picked up by PBS' "American Masters" series, so stay tuned...

A rare glimpse into the life of an extraordinary artist

[meiling-11464 · 10/10 · 17 July 2017]

Pamela Tom gives us a look into the life of Tyrus Wong - the artist who gave Bambi its visual life. More than an artist, Tyrus was an inspiring human being who was resilient in a biased world and who followed his passion and gave so much joy through his illustrations that really were a precursor to production design in the film industry.

Not only did he share his art in films but also in other dimensions...but you should witness for yourself. I'm sure that Pamela Tom had hundreds of hours to edit through, so if there were a sequel to be made, more could be shown of Tyrus' exceptional artistry.

You leave the viewing feeling the joy that this man brought to others and that he lived with every day. It's a treat -- Go see!

a visual masterpiece of a tale that needs to be told

[swanbard · 10/10 · 14 August 2023]

Despite working as the lead artist for "Bambi", Tyrus Wong was inducted into the Disney Legends Hall of Fame and recognized for his indispensable role in the film over 50 years later. Tyrus Wong has long been an exceptional Chinese-American artist whose name remains unknown in spite of the fame and reach of his works, and Pamela Tom's "Tyrus" finally sheds light on the life of this long under-recognized artist.

Throughout "Tyrus", Tom not only gives credit to Tyrus Wong for his most well-known works, but forges a narrative throughout the film centered around his life story. Starting from his journey to the US as a young boy, Tom fleshes out the previously-mysterious character of Tyrus Wong as a determined, charismatic, and lovable figure - simultaneously extending his legacy while humanizing the artist behind the brush.

After my first watch-through of the film, I was both shocked that Tyrus was not a household name and inspired by such a beautifully-shot narrative of a fellow Chinese American artist. Ultimately, Tom's "Tyrus" preserves and promotes the legacy of Tyrus Wong with heartfelt sensitivity and aesthetic finesse.

The Chinese-born American Disney artist

[bettycjung · 11 September 2017]

9/11/17. This documentary sheds light on a Disney animation artist who was hardly known outside of his work. Of course, being of Chinese descent he had to face many obstacles (racism, discrimination) to making a living. And, that was how he saw his craft - to make a living. Fortunately, he lived till 106 so he was able to at least get to see something come out of his life - an inspiration to others to keep on keeping on, and this documentary film which does justice to the Artist he was. Those interviewed provided good insight into what drove Tyrus to work and work and work.

Tyrus Wong, a Wondrous Man

[Tail_End_Charlie · 10 September 2017]

A very fine tribute to Tyrus Wong. Many valuable clips from the early days of Los Angeles are featured. The harsh challenges of the Depression and the outright prejudice that Tyrus Wong and other Asian-Americans faced are shown in a fair-handed way. Certain sequences could have been expanded (would have liked to see more about Wong's days at Disney, and his kite-making), but this doc does offer a good variance.

Interviews with key people are respectful in tone--thankfully, these moments do not feel hyped-up, as is common in many biographical films. There is a subtle, sensitive score throughout.

What impressed me as much as Wong's esteemed talent was his generous, humble heart. The close bond he had with his family is evident in the interviews with his 3 lovely daughters. The legacy of Tyrus Wong will continue to inspire, and this film is a testament to that.