ELEMENTAL
2023 | Dir. Peter Sohn | 109 Minutes
"Why does anyone get to tell you what you can do in your life?"
For her entire life fire element Ember Lumen, daughter of first-generation immigrants living on the outskirts of Element City, has expected to take over her father's convenience store. A chance meeting with sensitive water element city inspector Wade Ripple turns Ember's world upside-down. As the pair gradually falls in love working together to prevent the city from closing the store due to unexpected safety violations, Ember there are opportunities in the world that better suit her unique talents.
A family-friendly romantic comedy nestled within a broadly-constructed immigrant story, Elemental is a sweet tale that promotes cultural exchange and encourages self-actualization. Though the movie only scratches the surface on issues of racial tension and discrimination, defining the cultural differences of the anthropomorphic elements often in only the vaguest of terms, the film functions well as an allegory about the challenges of interracial dating. One of the very best things about the picture is the believable dynamic between Ember and Wade, a couple that exemplifies how opposites beautifully balance each other out.
Elemental is also one of the best-looking Pixar films yet. Element City is vibrant and aesthetically gorgeous, a world bustling with life. Every location is rendered in loving detail, from the cozy Fireplace fixer-upper convenience store, to the massive Cyclone Stadium sports arena, to the Ripples' luxury apartment that doubles as a giant swimming pool. The set piece featuring the Vivarium in the flooded public gardens is particularly breathtaking.
Leah Lewis delivers a solid vocal performance as Ember, making the quick-tempered fire element a nuanced and affecting protagonist. As Wade, Mamoudou Athie goes big with the water element's frequent bouts of crying but he is very funny and believably sensitive in his passionate speeches. The supporting cast features Ronnie del Carmen as Ember's father Bernie, Shila Ommi as Ember's fortuneteller mother Cinder, Wendi McLendon-Covey as Wade's air element boss Gale, and Catherine O'Hara as Wade's mother Brook.
Elemental carries all of the charm and heart of Pixar's best features, as well as the studio's high standard of visually splendid artistry. Certain aspects of the film's world and story could have been better-defined. However, the burgeoning romance that drives the picture is engaging and genuinely moving.
FRAGMENTS
- Props to the filmmakers creating a Firish language, but Bernie's accent is incredibly questionable
- I found adolescent earth boy Clod pulling flowers grown out of his armpit to impress fire girls particularly amusing
