Release Date – 7th July 2023, Cert – PG, Run-time – 1 hour 49 minutes, Director – Peter Sohn
When a neighbourhood of fire elements is at risk of flooding Ember (Leah Lewis) teams up with water figure Wade (Mamoudou Athie) to seal the leak. However, as they get closer the world (especially her parents) insists that elements don’t mix.
It’s strange to think that the studio which brought us Inside Out could ever be on the nose with the themes that it’s presenting. Even the more middlingly regarded Finding Dory wasn’t so upfront with what some saw as themes celebrating disabilities and autism, using them as strengths. Yet, with its repeated point of “elements don’t mix” Elemental, when truly pushing such themes, feels rather obvious.
The belief is one pushed upon central figure Ember (Leah Lewis) as her fiery parents (Ronnie Del Carmen, Shila Ommi) prepare her for taking over the family shop which they set up when first arriving from their homeland, leading to the creation of a fire-based neighbourhood away from the rest of Element City where fire seems to boil or burn everyone else around. However, as the area is put at risk of flooding Ember teams up with highly-emotional water element Wade (Mamoudo Athie) to find the source of the leak, and hopefully save her parents’ business from being shut down after multiple violations are discovered. Leading to various ventures across the landscapes of Element City – a place, also inhabited by grass-patch earth and cloud-like air, with plenty of amusing details and designs to allow for a number of good gags.
Like with Luca, it’s nice to see a film of this nature without a proper antagonist, perhaps even more so than the former. Without this the film still finds plenty to deal with, once properly set on its narrative arc, however at times it feels as if just one too many points are being juggled at once. Alongside the core narrative, the relationship between Wade and Ember and the idea that ‘elements don’t mix’ writers John Hoberg, Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh try to deal with Ember’s constantly enflamed temper – trying to find out who she really is and what she wants to do in life – the different opportunities and treatment of different elements and more. Yes, such themes may be dealt with lightly but still, when arising sometimes it feels like there’s a bit too much happening at once.
Through the more on the nose points and the various other themes that pop up here and there throughout the film the biggest thing that helps keep it going is the humour. There are a number of chuckles to be had which help to push the lighter tone which Elemental holds. There’s a likable venture to be found here with enough interest to be gained to keep you in place for the duration of the run-time. There are a number of enjoyable moments during Elemental, and the entertainment factor is certainly there. However, you can’t help but feel that it needs a bit more substance in some of its details to avoid being so on the nose and as if its juggling multiple separate points.
Elemental feels strangely on the nose for a Pixar film, sometimes feeling as if it’s juggling one too many points at once. However, there’s plenty of amusement and detail to make for a worthwhile venture into the engaging and well-designed landscape of Element City.
Just A Little Bit Random 