A Reel Review: ELEMENTAL

Pixar’s ELEMENTAL is the famed animation studio’s first release in theatres since 2019. The studio that has delivered timeless classics such as TOY STORY, UP, and WALL-E had the theatrical run of their ONWARD cut short due to the mishandled pandemic, and in the last few years have been releasing their films straight to parent-company Disney’s streaming service. It’s been a cold few years for Pixar, but here in 2023 they take a big swing at returning to big-screen glory. 

 

In a world populated by anthropomorphic elements of nature, Ember (Leah Lewis), a fire element, works with Wade (Mamoudou Athie), a water element, to prevent her father’s shop in Firetown from being flooded by a break in the city’s canal system. 

 

To say more of the plot would swim into spoiler waters, as ELEMENTAL is a packed film. Directed by Peter Sohn (who directed Pixar’s THE GOOD DINOSAUR), the film’s plot at first feels very familiar; find the source of the leaks and save the shop. The source of the leakage initially feels nefarious, and there’s an early chance that ELEMENTAL moves into a CHINATOWN-like plot of shady real estate happenings. But ELEMENTAL eventually takes an unexpected left-turn, moving the flooding issue to the background and focusing on a new, budding romance between Ember and Wade. The stakes are high as Ember’s family shop is under threat, even though she has higher dreams for her life other than working behind a counter…all while she’s trying to figure out her new romance. 

 

It's a romance that simply does not happen in this world (because fire and water), and it feels like another version of ROMEO AND JULIET, but ELEMENTAL surprises yet again here. The film’s world-building is key; social-divisions are present between the fire and water people (air and earth people are here too, as a middle-class). Privileged water people live in slick high rises, while the fire people are sequestered in Firetown…where their community reflects East Asian traditions. ELEMENTAL takes a hard look at how immigrants were (and sadly still are), treated in major cities. It’s a mature theme that provides a layered backdrop to Ember and Wade’s somewhat-forbidden romance, and it works. 

 

Also working is the stunning animation. ELEMENTAL is nothing short of gorgeous. Character-design is fascinating, and the design of the city breathtaking. Sequences such as a venture into a flooded tunnel and dancing on colored stones are thrilling and charming, and Thomas Newman’s score is excellent. The entire voice cast is also excellent. Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie shine here, and their work helps flesh out their characters.

 

By movie’s end, there will some tears flowing as ELEMENTAL throws an emotional punch that really lands. It’s the type of ending that we love from Pixar, capping a hot movie. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it