Elemental Movie Review

Stories have a way of teaching a lesson that preaching may not.

The new Disney/Pixar movie, Elemental, follows the anthropomorphic citizens of Element City. They take the form of the four elements: air, water, fire, and land.

Ember (Leah Lewis) is the daughter of fire immigrants. Her future is set as she will one day take over the family store. Determined to make her father proud, she sees no other path. Then Wade (Mamaoudou Athie) comes through the pipes. Made of water, he is as easygoing as she is fiery.

In their world, the different elements do not mix. Despite their differences, Wade and Ember discover that their commonalities are greater than their differences.

The best way to describe the narrative is Romeo and Juliet (minus the violence) with an immigration backstory. Though Wade and Ember’s character arcs are predictable, that predictability could be a lot worse.

The one thing that has stuck with me is Ember’s need to please her father. It is a desire that 0ften stays with us long after childhood is in the rearview mirror. What I disliked was that she is tiny on top and that her love life is a minor story question. Wade’s lack of a romantic partner does not factor in at all.

Is Elemental an enjoyable film with a message that continues to be relevant? Yes. Is it going to win any awards? Other than the animation (which is gorgeous), I don’t see it happening.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Elemental is presently in theaters.