Pixar recently hasn’t been the same as it was. We’ve previously had films such as Up, Soul and Inside Out which explored themes such as grief, passion and mental health, but then recent films such as Luca and Lightyear seem to have missed the point that they were trying to make. They were fun films, but the emotional core had gone. Pixar has also experimented with different styles with films such as Turning Red but it looks like they’ve gone back to the drawing board with their latest release - Elemental. Elemental ponders the question, can water and fire mix and get along hand-in-hand? With the magic of Pixar they’ve managed to create water and fire into two different, but relatable, cultures which end up clashing, but that is where the story and heart are. They must learn to see their differences and learn from each other.
We can learn a lot from Elemental, although saying that there are some characters and ideas that are not explored as in-depth as others are such as some fun and interesting characters like the plant-based boy Clod and a famous cloud “Air Ball” player with Lutz. The main characters however, Ember and Wade, have such rich backstories that help their characters feel real and empathetic despite them being beings of fire and water. Thanks to a water main implosion the two elements meet and a romance soon blossoms between them. Throughout the film the two characters help and assist each other as a “Romeo & Juliet” story plays out, that is in terms of both their parents being aware of their differences in culture.
The film is very bright and contained, with a lot of emphasis on the smaller moments such as Ember’s family who own a small shop and Wade’s work-place which involve pipework and office desks. The down-to-earth nature of the story helps sell this film to both adults and kids, as it isn’t too over-the-top or too flashy, it is in fact balanced just right and there are also some interesting and colourful moments too such as when Ember lights up some crystals and when Wade takes Ember to a sunken museum. The creativity and imagination that we’re used to from Pixar are very much here and this is a world I would love to see more of and also see expanded. Element City is a huge city and we only see a small portion of it, with the contrast of elements creating some great comedy moments as well.
Elemental may not be on the same level as other huge Pixar hits such as Wall-E or The Incredibles, but it deserves the attention of audiences just as much as these films. There are also a fair few similarities between Elemental and one of Disney’s own animated films, Zootropolis. Both feature bureaucracy in a heightened environment, and they both have similar concepts where a city is adapted to its inhabitants. These similarities do not distract you from the film, but you can’t help but ponder them in certain moments. Saying that this is an entirely original story and it feels and still has that cinematic feel to it that Pixar is known for. Elemental is a fantastic film that never feels boring and never feels repeated. This is what Pixar does best.
★★★★☆
4/5
Final Verdict:
Elemental is a deeply fundamental film about how chemistry, both scientifically and romantically speaking, happens when we least expect it. The indiscreet themes of identity, background and expectations dominate in one of Pixar’s most intriguing films so far. Wade and Ember end up exploring each other’s cultures and learn more about themselves when they’re with each other. It’s an entirely human concept played out on a hugely creative stage. Element City feels fresh, alive and full of colour. This is the sort of world we wish we lived in, a world of acceptance, love and exploration.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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