When Pixar truly excels, it crafts films that are ingenious, charismatic, and strikingly unique, tales that emotionally engage and ignite the mind's curiosity. However, there's been a noticeable dip in the quality of recent releases from this renowned animation studio, which has previously gifted us with masterpieces such as "Toy Story," "Ratatouille," "Up," and "Inside Out." The new film “Elemental,” shows the starting difference in quality.
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In recent years, Pixar seems to be resting on its laurels, with a string of sequels such as "Toy Story 4," "Incredibles 2," and "Lightyear," rather than striving for the originality that once defined it. In addition, its recent original films like "Soul," "Luca," and "Turning Red" have strangely revolved around characters morphing into animals. Moreover, the flawless execution and high-concept premises that were once Pixar's signature seems to have gone missing from its recent productions.
The latest Pixar venture, "Elemental," directed by Disney and Pixar, exemplifies this downward shift. The film's execution appears haphazard, with a weak, commonplace storyline overshadowing the talent of its creators. The film, set in a bustling metropolis reminiscent of New York, where natural elements represent different social classes, lacks the polish and finesse of Pixar's previous offerings. Its clumsily handled themes and conventional plot make the film feel underdone and rather formulaic.
Premiering at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, "Elemental" portrays a vibrant city filled with inhabitants that are akin to various natural elements. However, its overly simplified portrayal of racial disparities and cultural assimilation dilutes the film's central metaphor. The issue is further exacerbated by the film's seeming unwillingness to explore in-depth the societal dynamics between the different classes.
In the world of "Elemental," the water class inhabits sleek skyscrapers and can freely navigate the city's grand waterways, symbolic of a privileged existence. The fire class, however, resides in a close-knit community reflective of Eastern, Middle Eastern, and European traditions, stuck in an area referred to as Firetown. Unfortunately, the film barely scratches the surface of the earth and air classes, who mainly exist in the background, further demonstrating its lack of commitment to developing a rich narrative.
The central character of "Elemental," Ember Lumen (voiced by Leah Lewis), is a fiery-tempered young woman who assists in her father's grocery store. As the narrative unfolds, Ember starts questioning her path in life, exploring the potential of her abilities. As a result of her intense emotions, she inadvertently triggers an event that introduces a city inspector, Wade (voiced by Mamoudou Athie), into her life.
Intriguingly, an unexpected romance blossoms between Ember and Wade, against the backdrop of a city where elements don't mix due to practical and traditional reasons. The unfolding love story is a novelty for Pixar as it hints at a broader theme of interracial relationships.
However, "Elemental" eventually falls back into a predictable Pixar pattern, with Ember and Wade forming a bond, experiencing a misunderstanding, and finally, overcoming a significant threat together. Although the relationship between Ember and Wade provides some relief from the film's inconsistent metaphors and faulty world-building, it cannot save the film from its flawed execution.
In spite of the less-than-stellar storyline, the animations in "Elemental" are undeniably remarkable, with Ember's flaring emotions and Wade's fluid transformations providing visual delight. However, the film's unimaginative narrative hinders the potential of its brilliant animations. Only a few standout sequences truly differentiate "Elemental" from the more generic Pixar offerings.
Regrettably, "Elemental" doesn't manage to recreate the extraordinary visual imagination of Pixar's modern classics, such as "Finding Nemo" and "Wall-E." The only exception being the vivid musical score by composer Thomas Newman that beautifully captures the essence of various cultural traditions. Aptly described as a tale of "When Fire Met Water," "Elemental" provides fleeting entertainment but lacks the enduring impact of a typical Pixar classic.
