Two Elements Collide-ELEMENTAL
By Daniel Mendes, TheCinebuff.com
Opposites attract in Pixar’s latest film Elemental, directed by Peter Sohn. In a world where the elements of earth, fire, wind, and water live, Ember Lumen, a fire element, meets Wade Ripple, a water element. Fire and water have no reason interacting with each other which results in friction between Ember’s family and Wade. As their romance develops, Ember and Wade slowly melt away the barriers and prejudices between their families.
From talking toys to emotions incarnate, Pixar specializes in taking these outlandish concepts and molding them into richly thematic experiences that appeal to both children and adults. With Elemental, Pixar continues carrying on that trend. On its surface, Elemental is a funny little riff on the romantic comedy, but beneath its colorful characters and vibrant animation lies a thoughtful insight into the themes of race and familial legacy.
Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie voice Ember Lumen and Wade Ripple respectively. In order for the film to work, the relationship and characters need to feel genuine. Their relationship feels organic and their chemistry is palpable. It’s refreshing to have two relative newcomers as leads as opposed to big-named stars delivering voice performances. With a mix of charismatic performance and a lack of a movie star with prior baggage, it results in full immersion of the characters on screen.
Since Toy Story’s release in 1995, the Pixar brand has remained fairly constant. It’s both a pro and con because while the film isn’t bad by any means, Elemental does often feel like a retread of the films before it. Even the worst Pixar feature is miles better than most other animated films, but with a company as innovative and forward-thinking as Pixar has been, you come to expect a bit more.
As it stands, Elemental is a wholesome experience that both children and adults will enjoy. Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie are promising newcomers and they carry the entirety of this film on their shoulders. It might not be one of Pixar’s best, but there’s still so much fun to be had and with the animation being especially engaging.
Originally published at https://behindtherabbitproductions.wordpress.com on June 15, 2023.
