Film Review — Elemental
The metaphors may be as subtle as a sledgehammer, but Pixar’s latest has plenty of heart
Abstract high concepts are a staple of Pixar’s output. From self-aware toys (Toy Story) to self-aware vehicles (Cars), to fish with feelings (Finding Nemo), and feelings with feelings (Inside Out), they are known for taking an outlandish premise and turning it into something remarkable. Elemental is another example of this trend, though in this case, it doesn’t quite scale the impossible heights of the aforementioned Inside Out, to which it is much akin. Nonetheless, it is an amusing and touching conceit.
In “Element City”, the four major elements live, Earth, Water, and Wind people all enjoy lives of relative comfort, but Fire people are largely segregated and often looked down upon by the more affluent other elements. The story focuses on the lives of a Fire immigrant couple Bernie (Ronnie Del Carmen) and Cinder (Shila Ommi), who moved to Element City after catastrophe strikes their homeland. Here they have raised their daughter Ember (Leah Lewis) to someday take over their family shop. Ember subsequently crosses paths with Water character Wade (Mamoudou Athie). They are attracted, but of course, fire and water don’t mix.
A romantic comedy of sorts ensues, as well as the kind of generational trauma tale…
