No assembly RequireD

It’s hard to imagine a time where Pixar original movies are scarce but their latest film is the first original in theaters since 2020. The studio who has churned out some major classics over the years have been forced to release three original films all on the Disney+ streaming service. Whether it be covid, box office numbers or just needing to get more subscribers it’s been difficult to watch animators work get side saddled. Maybe that’s why when ELEMENTAL the latest Pixar film shows off its first stunning image of two flames in the distance it’s hard not to already be swept up. We soon learn these flames are a young couple who have just arrived on the outskirts of the new Elemental city. Arriving in a clear satire of Ellis Island, ELEMENTAL proves its playing by different rules right from the start. The charming welcome invite is quickly faded away when customs realizes they are fire beings and can’t understand their homeland language so screw it just saddle them with “normal” names and send them on their way to their real dream. A new home, a potential family business and a little daughter named Ember. With that we are welcomed into ELEMENTAL the latest Pixar that proves this studio still has so much heart in the game. Here is a film that takes on three major themes and weaves it into a fashion that feels not just authentic but less grandiose than some of its previous adventures and instead rooted in real human complications. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s adorable as all heck and leaves you in disbelief that this is the first major romantic comedy from the studio. ELEMENTAL knows you came here to have your heartstrings pulled but it manages to still find ways to sneak up on you even when everything has been right in front of you the entire time. Thus is life in Elemental city.

Ember (Leah Lewis) just wants to make her father proud. A young fire being with an uncontainable temper, Ember tries to help out at her families store which has become famous in their fire community for having authentic food from her fathers homeland. Ember spends her days serving difficult customers, taking care of her father and avoiding her mother’s wants for her to find love. It’s not that Ember is above love but when your goal is to make your father proud no matter what boyfriends don’t always fall in that picture. It also doesn’t help that in the Burroughs outside the city elements don’t mix. Her father for all his kind hearted attitude still finds time to spew anger towards other elements especially the water beings. ELEMENTAL and director Peter Sohn don’t shy away from its clear as day play on learned prejudice in multi generational families. Heck you could even argue this is Pixar’s own Do The Right Thing with the intensity that lives whenever anyone enters someone else’s domain or place of business. But if previous Pixar films have taught us anything it is that opposites always find a way to connect. Ember’s opposite comes in the form of a goofy and intensely emotional water being named Wade (Mamoudou Athie). A city inspector Wade doesn’t have the temper problem of Ember but instead a need to cry and spew fountain tears whenever he thinks of something sad, happy or just gets too worked up. The two couldn’t be further apart in behaviors and their worlds which obviously means they are the perfect set up for a romantic comedy.

Ember and Wade may have the makings of your usual Pixar odd couple, but where other films have kept their duos at arms length for the purpose of the journey at hand, ELEMENTAL wants you to be smitten with these two from the first moment. Even if one pushes another away or comes on too strong there is an immediate attraction that in this cartoonish form can’t help but make you smile and yes even swoon. When a mission that threatens Ember’s entire family together the film never loses sight of who it is really wants to focus on. You care that they succeed but let’s be real you care more than they are so damn cute together. Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie have terrific voice chemistry and the team of animators have created something truly stunning as it becomes impossible as the film goes on to see one without seeing the other. Even as the animators make their colors blend together it becomes a character in itself carrying all the new found love these two are creating. But love doesn’t come that simple nor does Ember believe it is something she can just allow to take over her life when she still has so many duties.

ELEMENTAL for all its adorableness is bookend by an important if not also heartbreaking immigrant story. Many second or third, fourth etc generation children will find connection in not wanting to course your own path when honoring your parents seems to be the set way. This idea is done so in a more accepting manner than having Ember be angry at her family. It’s what makes scenes involving Wade’s open minded family come off as often naive in some ways when short handed comments are given to Ember about her family life, not going for her dreams or even just having a good touch on the common language. It can be tough for anyone who has dealt with racism or just ignorance especially when coming from a new welcomed friend or possible family. Pixar has handled heavy themes before but at this level of maturity can still feel like new territory for them.

ELEMENTAL can be heavy but it’s thankfully so indebted to its romantic comedy roots that when a scene arrives about halfway through the film it leaves you honestly dumbfounded. Mainly for the reasons that a children/family movie can still surprise you but also for its purest intentions of wanting to remind its audience how enchanting falling in love can be. It’s not a promise of a fairy tale love story but rather one that is developed over time and all starts with the same nervous butterflies that comes when you meet someone who just wants to discover all there is to you. This isn’t a major story with a side romance it is a film dedicated to its two leads finding or losing romance that its weight becomes a driving factor for even some of its heavier themes. ELEMENTAL is one of those great films that actually lives up to its promises set out within its first few minutes. It also has a blast delivering on things not told at first hand.

Here is the type of film that will be amusing to see where it holds up in the grand scheme of its own colosseum of fantastic (and not so great) films. There’s always talk of the studio losing its juice or Disney’s faith in it dwindling but when a script this earnest and thought out comes forward it’s a perfect reminder of how great things can be. Much like a first or final true love there are moments of genuine excitement. ELEMENTAL isn’t just a back to basics it’s a push forward while reminding this should have been happening long ago. But hey if we know anything about finding love for the first time with someone it’s that everyone needs a little push. And nothing helps more than a little spark and a total opposite to show us how beautiful things can be when it all blends together.

A-

ELEMENTAL WILL BE RELEASED IN THEATERS JUNE 16