(A recent text exchange with my little brother Connor)
Connor: (Star Wars Episode III) Revenge of the Sith is 18 years old!
Me: Finding Nemo is 20 years old.
Connor: Touché
It is rather refreshing to know the next generation after me is learning what it feels like to see a Disney/Pixar film of their youth hit a certain anniversary. It makes me feel less depressed about getting old. Of course, those behind the scenes of Disney/Pixar have been churning out full length features for almost three decades now, and all have been (with a few exceptions) quality entertainment for all ages in the family.
Yet it does seem that the last few years have not been up to the standards we would expect from the minds responsible for films like Ratatouille (2007), WALL-E (2008), and Inside Out (2015). This was back in a time when we could go to the movies, expect something beyond special, and walk out of the theater with even more than we anticipated. In other words, it seems like Disney/Pixar has not reached that next level yet.
Their newest film (27th in the library), Elemental, does what it can to reach that level, and while it does not make it there, that should not make it sound like a bad film. The story is easy to follow as we see the Lumen family arrive to Element City, one of the few fire elements around.
The family has a sole daughter, Ember (Leah Lewis, star of the charming 2020 Netflix film The Half of It), whose temper is holding her back from one day taking over the family store from her father Bernie (Ronnie del Carmen), who is looking to retire (the film does do a good job of showing the comedic horrors of working retail.)
Bernie and his wife Cinder (Shila Ommi) are loving to their daughter, but despise water elements of any kind. Of course, this doesn’t help Ember’s situation when she meets Wade (Mamoudou Athie), a water element who is prone to crying uncontrollably.
The film takes the basic approach to the plot that reminded me of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) and My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002). If you have seen those films, you can basically tell where the story will end up, with added action in between.It also takes the idea of “opposites attract” to a new literal level (something that my aforementioned little brother Connor and his much cooler girlfriend Nicole can attest to.)
Parents, the film is Disney/Pixar, so your kids should be fine. There is some minor risky humor, but nothing to worry about.
One thing somewhat unique about Elemental is that there is no true antagonist, which was true of last year’s Turning Red. The true conflict resides really with the characters’ doubts and insecurities.
It is aspects like this plus the splendid animation makes Elemental another added log in the fire in Disney/Pixar’s hearth.
Overall:
Nothing else to say 