Elemental

Originally published Oct 3, 2023

I think it’s safe to say that computer animation wouldn’t be where it is today if it hadn’t been for the pioneers at Pixar Animation Studios. In fact, I don’t know where I’d be today without them, as Pixar’s movies were one of the core foundations for my interest in film as a whole. I never considered it before, but maybe that’s why I’m so agitated whenever I see people decide to hate their newer movies before they’re even released. Perhaps I’m biased, but I’d rather give Pixar a chance at trying something new than stay rooted in the past, no matter how pleasant it might’ve been. I feel this necessary to say because Elemental is a clear testament to how Pixar might not be flawless, but they clearly haven’t lost their edge or charm.

When Elemental was first announced, the aspect that caught my attention the quickest wasn’t the premise or the animation, but the personal inspiration behind it. Director Peter Sohn cites his experiences growing up as the son of Korean immigrants in 1970s New York as one of the bases for the film. Knowing this made watching Ember (Leah Lewis) struggle between her appreciation for her family’s sacrifices and her blooming love for a water person feel unflinchingly honest. Speaking of which, the romance between Ember and Wade (Mamoudou Athie) is one of Elemental’s biggest benefits. Even if one or two beats of it feel rushed or cliché, the ways they play off each other as elements and personalities are consistently amusing and heartwarming, making for perhaps the strongest romance in a Pixar film. Among the movie’s other positives are its inventively eye-catching animation, captivatingly hypnotic music, and an allegory that, while lacking subtlety, is still effective and genuine.

While there are certainly some strong, positive elements of Elemental, there are admittedly some faults that keep it from reaching the heights of other Pixar classics. For starters, the writing, specifically in the first act of the movie, can feel very scattershot and unfocused, although that’s more or less rectified once it starts focusing on the main romance. There’s also a handful of characters that feel underdeveloped or even unnecessary to the movie’s plot (I’m looking at you, Clod). Additionally, the running gag of Wade and his family crying, while mostly harmless, can feel a bit overused by the end of the movie. And finally, for a movie all about living elements, only fire and water seem to be of focus. There are air and earth elements in the movie as well, so why not try to give them some screen time or establish where they fit in the social structure of the city? Maybe this would’ve made the movie feel more muddled, but I feel like there were some elements that Elemental left unexplored.

Despite being watered down by a few structural issues problems, Elemental has a ton of heart with its own unique spark. To paraphrase Stitch, “It’s broken, but still good. Yeah. Still good.”

Rating: 7/10