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Pixar's Elio Early Reviews Are All Saying the Same Thing

Pixar's Elio Early Reviews Are All Saying the Same Thing

Newsweek4 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
"Elio" doesn't officially release until the end of the week, but plenty of critics have gotten to see the film ahead of time, and they all seem to be making similar praise. While some reviewers point out minor flaws, most agree "Elio" is a fun, touching film that will appeal to the whole family.
What Do Early Reviews of 'Elio' Say?
On X, luca compares it favorably to the many "live action remakes" saying that it's "a beautiful breath of fresh air. fueled by childlike wonder and just SO sweet, as per usual with pixar. exceptionally lovely stuff, kids and parents alike are gonna love this one."
Read More: Pirates of the Caribbean Producer Confirms Returning Cast
Meanwhile nateplaysgames calls "Elio" a "STELLAR and PURE galactic adventure story, brimming with wonder and exploring different ways to experience loneliness, love, and family."
DISNEY
According to Erinonfilm, "Elio" is "a funny yet moving exploration of grief that will tug at your heart strings" that represents "a real return to form for Pixar."
Gavin Spoors deviates a bit from the pack. He calls the Pixar film "fairly predictable" but says that doesn't stop "Elio" from being a "tonnes of fun, visually inventive" movie that "packs and emotional punch."
Paul Klein doesn't seem to have many issues at all with "Elio". He writes that the film "might just be the best Pixar film since Inside Out. It's often funny, very thrilling and has moments that are very moving. It shows that even the biggest outsider can find community and that our complications make us who we are."
It appears the early reviews have revealed the newest Pixar venture has the same magic touch.
What Is 'Elio' About?
According to Pixar's official description of the film, "the cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession."
"So, when he's beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, Elio's all in for the epic undertaking."
"Mistakenly identified as Earth's leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be."
"Elio" hits theaters June 20. The film is directed by Adrian Molina, madeline Sharafian, and Domee Shi.
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The Ending of 'Elio' Explained
The Ending of 'Elio' Explained

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The Ending of 'Elio' Explained

If you haven't seen Disney and Pixar's latest movie, Elio, then you need to hop in a spaceship and zip on down to the theatre because it is the cutest thing you'll see all year. It's about Elio, an orphaned kid who's obsessed with space and aliens, and more than anything, wants to be abducted and taken away from Earth where he feels like he isn't wanted. Well, his wishes come true after he messes with a satellite message at the Air Force base his aunt works at and aliens send a ship to come get him, mistakenly thinking he's the leader of Earth. He's zipped through space to the Communiverse, a place where advanced species of the universe come together. In exchange for a permanent spot in the Communiverse, Elio volunteers to deal with the scary Lord Grigon, who's threatening to destroy the Communiverse after not being admitted. That decision ends up sending Elio, and Grigon's son Glordon, on a wild adventure. So how does it all end? Let's get into it! After Elio's negotiations with Lord Grigon take a sharp turn for the worse, he gets thrown into a jail cell. But pretty quickly, he manages to climb out a broken window. On his escape, he meets Glordon, the son of Grigon. The two bond and it seems like for the first time, Elio might actually be making a friend. He tells Glordon he needs a bargaining chip against Grigon, and Glordon, who's also never had a friend before, agrees to go with Elio and pretend he's being held hostage. The two go back to the Communiverse where they video call Grigon and Elio threatens (but not really) to hurt his son if he doesn't leave the Communiverse alone. Glordon, not really wanting to go back with his dad since he has zero desire to be a weapon-wielding machine like Grigon is, has Elio create a clone of himself to send back in his place. But Grigon figures it out pretty quickly and goes ballistic, locking up all the Communiverse ambassadors as he searches for his real son. It might take the Communiverse a little longer than you'd think for what are supposed to be the smartest aliens around to figure out that a literal child is not the leader of Earth, but they eventually get there. Grigon makes Ambassador Questa read Elio's mind to find out where the real Glordon is and by doing so, she sees the whole truth, including who he really is. As Grigons soldiers take over the Communiverse, Elio gets knocked through a portal back to Earth. Elio's Aunt Olga might seem kinda excited about the clone version of Elio that's been sent to Earth so that no one gets suspicious that he's missing. This Elio is being chatty, helpful, and has stopped being so obsessed with aliens and space–all the things she's wanted him to be. But Olga is no dummy. She secretly plucks one of clone Elio's hairs and takes it to investigate under a microscope, clearly suspicious of his change in behavior. She's also surrounded by books on alien abductions, so yeah, she knows what's going on. 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On that acceptance journey, Elio, who at the beginning of the movie shuts out his aunt and other kids, learns to connect with someone else thanks to Glordon. Elio feels like his aunt doesn't really want him and he sees that Glordon shares his same fears, but with his dad. By the end of the movie, Elio learns that his aunt loves him and would even jump in a dinky-looking spaceship for him, and Glordon realizes his dad will love him no matter what he wants to do with his life. Ambassador Questa sums it up nicely towards the end, telling Elio, "Unique can sometimes feel like alone, but you're not alone." And now we're crying again!

Box Office: ‘How to Train Your Dragon' Rules Again as ‘Elio' Heads for Lowest Opening in Pixar History
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Box Office: ‘How to Train Your Dragon' Rules Again as ‘Elio' Heads for Lowest Opening in Pixar History

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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A clever Great Pyrenees has captured the hearts of internet users after outsmarting her owners not once—but twice—in a viral escape story that has earned over 3.2 million views on TikTok. The text layered over the video, posted by Samantha Vicha (@ said that the determined dog initially digging under a backyard fence, prompting a creative intervention from her owners. It added: "My husband spent [three] hours putting electric along the bottom of the fence line so she would stop digging under." Just two days later, the resourceful Pyrenees called Haleesi found an even more impressive escape route: she scaled up and hopped through a small gap above the electric line, completely bypassing the new barrier without breaking a sweat. Two screenshots from the viral video showing Haleesi the dog climbing up and jumping through the gap. Two screenshots from the viral video showing Haleesi the dog climbing up and jumping through the gap. TikTok/@ This escape artistry may come as no surprise to those familiar with the Great Pyrenees. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says these dogs were historically bred to guard livestock in mountainous terrain, often working alone and making decisions independently. While the breed may not always leap to obey commands, early training and socialization can channel that intelligence into loyal companionship. The Great Pyrenees' instinct to roam, guard, and find their own solutions is deeply embedded in their DNA. TikTok Users Share Similar Tales The viral video has resonated widely, with owners of Great Pyrenees and other dogs chiming in with their own stories of canine cunning. "My female chewed my male's electric collar off so they could both escape together," one user posted. Another added: "My Great Pyrenees lives at the local Dollar General and sometimes visits me at my house." Others admired the dog's ingenuity. "I mean it worked! I saw zero digging!" one user commented. Vicha responded: "That's one way to look at it." Another fan simply said: "She's a problem solver." 7 Ways To Keep Your Dog in the Yard Here are some clever ways from the AKC to keep your four-legged Houdini safely in the yard where they belong: 1. Extend Your Fence Raising the fence height isn't your only option. Instead, add a top extension that tilts inward. This visual and physical barrier discourages jumping and climbing. A lean-in is made by attaching farm wire or mesh at an inward angle from the top, forming an awning-like overhang that visually deters climbing. An L-footer works similarly but extends horizontally inward from the top of the fence. Both make it appear as if the fence continues over the yard, confusing and deterring escape attempts. 2. Eliminate Climbing Aids Survey your yard and remove anything near the fence that could serve as a step up. This includes: Firewood stacks Garbage or recycling bins Patio furniture Playground equipment Large rocks or landscaping features 3. Install Coyote Rollers These ingenious devices are long, spinning bars mounted to the fence top. When a dog (or coyote) tries to grab hold, the bar rotates—making it impossible to get traction. Originally designed to keep wildlife out, they are just as effective at keeping pets in. Full kits are available online and include brackets and end caps. 4. Use Landscaping as a Barrier Plant thick shrubs or hedges inside the fence line. Not only do they add beauty and privacy, but they also increase the difficulty of getting close enough to jump. 5. Install a Bottom L-Footer Prevent digging by attaching chicken wire, hardware cloth, or chain-link fencing at the base. Extend it out along the ground inside the yard (in an L-shape). For a neater appearance, you can bury it. Or, leave it exposed and weigh it down with mulch, stones, or planters. 6. Pour a Concrete Footer For persistent diggers, a concrete barrier is the ultimate solution. Pour a strip along the entire fence perimeter and embed the bottom edge of the fence directly into it. This creates a solid, unbreachable base. 7. Block the View Many dogs are triggered by what they see outside the fence. Reduce visual stimulation to help keep them inside. For chain-link fences, thread plastic slats through the mesh. Attach bamboo or reed fencing to any fence type using zip ties—it is affordable and effective. Plant fast-growing vines or climbing shrubs along the fence line (but protect them until they are established). Newsweek is awaiting for @ to provide a comment.

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