Pixar, known for delivering emotionally resonant films, faces an unexpected challenge with its latest release, “Elemental.” The studio has built its reputation on evoking pure emotions, making any deviation from that formula glaringly obvious. “Elemental,” their 27th film, may be gentle and humane, but it lacks the raw vulnerability that has become synonymous with Pixar’s work.
The film’s premise revolves around a semi-philosophical thought experiment, imagining the fire, water, earth, and air elements as sentient beings. It explores what happens when two opposite elements, fire, and water, find themselves falling in love. While Pixar’s high-concept films have excelled at drawing out simplicity from complexity, “Elemental” suffers from overcomplication. It tries to combine a straightforward romantic comedy with themes of culture clashes, systemic racism in city infrastructures, and the expectations placed on immigrant children.
The story follows a fire couple, Bernie and Cindy Lumen (voiced by Ronnie Del Carmen and Shila Ommi), who arrive at Element City, a place hostile to their existence. The fire district, where they reside, is constantly threatened by water channels overhead, creating tension between the two elements. They run a store and raise their daughter, Ember (Leah Lewis), who is meant to take over the family business. However, Ember’s fiery temper proves challenging, and an explosive encounter leads to an unexpected connection with Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie), a sensitive and blubbering water person.
While “Elemental” has its moments of beauty, especially in an underwater sequence depicting the adventurous nature of first love, it struggles to maintain a cohesive narrative. The voice performances are excellent, with Athie’s portrayal of Wade standing out. The film’s director, Peter Sohn, drew inspiration from his own life as a child of Korean immigrant parents and his marriage to someone from a different cultural background. Yet, the screenplay attempts to encompass too many aspects of immigrant life in America, resulting in a non-specific and impersonal tone that contradicts Pixar’s ethos.
In conclusion, “Elemental” may have noble intentions in exploring complex themes, but it ultimately falls short of Pixar’s usual emotional impact. The film’s overcomplication and lack of rawness prevent it from leaving a lasting mark on the audience, making it one of the studio’s weaker offerings in recent years.
