a day ago
Elio review: Pixar's new offering is sweet and funny but lacks spark
Pixar's latest outing, 'Elio', is a heartwarming and visually rich journey that feels both contemporary and comfortably familiar. Voiced by Yonas Kibreab, the titular Elio is a daydreaming, orphaned misfit who ends up becoming Earth's accidental ambassador in a colourful alien world. The result is a film that's sweet, funny, and family-friendly, but also one that lacks the spark of Pixar's finest by Adrian Molina with co-directors Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, 'Elio' is packed with warmth and wonder, but much of it stays on the surface. The film's premise revolves around an imaginative child being mistaken for someone important in an otherworldly setting. This setting leans heavily into Pixar's well-worn 'misunderstood kid meets magical world' template. It is almost like 'Inside Out' meets 'Lilo & Stitch', but without the same emotional punch or layered film begins grounded in real-world science and emotional resonance, but soon the narrative slips into chaotic territory - cloning, galactic politics, and a villainous 'Blood Emperor' (voiced by Brad Garrett) whose Marvel-like menace feels Elio's friendship with the Emperor's insecure son Glordon (Remy Edgerly) offers the film's sweetest emotional thread, it too gets a bit lost in the chaos. Zoe Saldana brings steady warmth as Elio's aunt, but many alien characters remain forgettable and overly the premise holds promise, the writing doesn't quite rise to the occasion several times. The emotional beats feel undercooked, especially when compared to the nuanced storytelling Pixar is known for. The characters or ideas are not given enough space to breath before we transition from one place to another. The film introduces layered themes like loss, loneliness, identity but often abandons them in favour of rapid-fire plot developments and quirky distractions.
Glordon's arc and the potential father-son commentary get drowned in the visual noise. It's a script that feels like it's trying to juggle too many ideas, resulting in a finale that's flashier than is certainly a step up from some of Disney's recent misfires. Its retro-Disney vibes, sincere message, and humour make it engaging for kids and comforting for parents. But for those expecting a bold new Pixar frontier, this cosmic tale feels just a little too safe and is now out in theatres.3 out of 5 stars to Elio.
