Movie Review: ‘Elemental’

Review by James Lindorf

Pixar combines phenomenal visuals and themes from animated mega hits “Inside Out” and “Zootopia” in their 27th theatrical film “Elemental.” “The Good Dinosaur” director Peter Sohn is at the helm of this story by a trio of television writers with credits like “Better Off Ted,” “Downward Dog,” and “How I Met Your Mother.” Disney and Pixar introduce us to the beautiful metropolis of Element City on June 16th.

There may be a larger world to explore in sequels, but this story takes place within the city limits of Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. Most of the elements live in the bustling downtown area, but the fire people have congregated together in the suburb of fire town. The Fireplace, a family-owned convenience store, is the heart of the neighborhood, offering a taste of the old country to homesick residents. The store is run by the Lumen family. Cinder (Shila Ommi) runs a matchmaking business in the back, while Bernie (Ronnie del Carmen) does the cooking and operates the cash register and dozens of other jobs. Working at Bernie’s side and primed to take over the store is their daughter Ember (Leah Lewis). Ember loves her family and the store but often lets her anger get the best of her when dealing with unruly customers. When one of her outbursts brings city inspector Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie) into the shop, it jeopardizes the store’s future and will change her life forever.

On its surface, “Elemental” is the first Pixar Rom-Com. Two characters who “shouldn’t be together” have a meet-cute and must answer the question, is the attraction enough to overcome their differences? Sometimes it works out like in “When Harry Met Sally,” and other times not so much like “500 Days Of Summer.” The joy is in their journey and the laughs they cause. “Elemental” has several chuckle-inducing moments, but it is relatively light on comedy due to Ember’s personal story and a significant threat to all of Fire Town.

Like “Inside Out,” the characters of “Elemental” are often controlled by a single emotion at a time, lacking the complexity one might expect. Before meeting Wade, Ember oscillates between joy and anger. Still, as their relationship grows and she learns more about him, she also learns more about herself and builds a willingness to admit faults and desires that she would never have shared. Wade also seems only to have two emotions; like Ember, he has joy but replaces anger with sadness. Wade cries all of the time. All Of The Time. There wasn’t a chance to time it on one viewing, but if someone said Wade was crying for his first five minutes on screen, I would believe it. Other instances are not as long, but he probably cries a dozen more times throughout the film. Thankfully it moves from obnoxious to endearing as the story progresses, but it initially makes him a complicated character to connect with.

Beyond the Rom-Com is a story very close to the director’s heart. Peter Sohn is the son of Korean immigrants and grew up in the bustling metropolis of New York City, where so many cultures mingle, mix, and occasionally clash. Ember’s parents came to Element City with almost nothing but the desire for a better life for their daughter. Even in the city of dreams, Ember and the family faced many hardships. While all elements can be destructive in the form of tornadoes, earthquakes, or floods, only fire is looked down upon and even excluded from events and areas the other elements consider precious. Bernie and Cinder’s sacrifice of leaving their home and the indignities suffered at the hands of the other elements are a driving force for Ember and how she feels her life must play out.

The immigrant story in “Elemental” was meant to be on par with the subtextual approach to race in “Zootopia,” but it lacks the refinement of the Oscar winner. “Elemental” offers an easily accessible story with plenty of heart, resulting in another must-see Pixar film. Unfortunately, too many tears, fart jokes, and a lack of complex emotions keep it from reaching the upper tier where the Toy Story series and “Inside Out” reside. However, it is still head and shoulders above the director’s last film, the cute but entirely forgettable “The Good Dinosaur.” At a 4 out of 5, “Elemental” may not be perfect, but it is memorable and rewatchable.

Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & family, Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy, Animation
Original Language: English
Director: Peter Sohn
Producer: Denise Ream
Writer: John Hoberg, Kat Likkel, Brenda Hsueh
Release Date: June 16th, 2023
Runtime: 1h 43m
Distributor: Disney/Pixar