"Elemental," Disney and Pixar's latest film, struggles to recapture the enchantment of the studio's past. It falters in its attempts to build a world, sacrificing the animators' talent for a conventional story. The film takes place in a New York-style metropolis where natural elements symbolize different social classes. Directed by Peter Sohn and written by John Hoberh, Kat Likkel, and Brenda Hsueh, the movie ambitiously explores this metaphor but loses its balance as a racial allegory. Erratic pacing and predictability give the impression of an underdeveloped story, making it a missed opportunity.
Presented as the closing selection of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, "Elemental" envisions a densely populated urban sprawl reminiscent of Disney's "Zootopia." Unlike "Zootopia," which explored racial discrimination through "predator and prey" dynamics, "Elemental" focuses on dismantling personal prejudices rather than systemic racism. In Element City, director Sohn's Korean heritage and desire to explore assimilation influenced creative decisions. Contrasting elements pose a legitimate danger, similar to the relationship between foxes and rabbits.
In the world of "Elemental," water people enjoy social privilege and effortlessly navigate sleek high-rise buildings and magnificent canals. Fire individuals reside in Firetown, a close-knit community that weaves together East Asian, Middle Eastern, and European traditions. However, this portrayal uncomfortably reinforces stereotypes. Meanwhile, the earth and air elements seem to be footnotes, with earth people sprouting daisies from their armpits and whimsical cloud puffs engaging in an "airball" game at Cyclone Stadium. The exploration of Element City remains disappointingly superficial, with background details like the fire folk's indulgence in "hot logs" adding visual humor. The film's setting feels more like concept art awaiting further development in the animation process.
“Elemental” centers on hot-tempered Ember Lumen (Leah Lewis, of “The Half of It”), a second-generation immigrant who works as an assistant in her father’s bodega shop. Fire people who emigrated from Fireland, from whence they brought spicy food and rigid cultural traditions of honor and lineage, Ember and her father Útrí dár ì Bùrdì (Ronnie del Carmen)—though he and his wife Fâsh ì Síddèr (Shila Ommi) had their names Anglicized to Bernie and Cinder at the “Elemental” equivalent of Ellis Island—have a close relationship as he readies her to take over the family business. Ember, though, is questioning whether or not she truly wants to inherit the store, as her beloved “ashfa” says he expects, or whether her gifts—such as the ability to heat a hot-air balloon and mold glass with her hands—might lead her in another direction.
Ember, with her fiery temperament, accidentally ruptures a pipe in her father's shop, catching the attention of city inspector Wade. Wade is investigating the crumbling canal system that plagues not only Ember's flooded basement but also poses a threat to all of Firetown. Determined to save her father's business, Ember forms an unlikely alliance with Wade. As their relationship blossoms, they become an unconventional couple in Element City, where mixing elements is forbidden both practically and culturally. Their romance faces an additional barrier as her father would never approve, painting "Elemental" as an interracial love story, unexplored by Pixar with human characters.
The film follows a familiar pattern of Pixar storytelling. Initially, contrasting characters clash but eventually form a strong bond. However, a simple misunderstanding leads to their separation, only to reconcile in a climactic moment where they save each other and reignite their love. Amidst the fast-paced events, Ember and Wade's relationship becomes the endearing core, offering a brief respite from the convoluted metaphors and unclear mechanics that occasionally disrupt the story's coherence. For instance, why is the consequence of Ember and Wade's touch a mystery in a city with ceramic and terracotta glass structures implying interactions with other elements?
Lewis brings a playful warmth to Ember's voice, perfectly complementing Athie's affable portrayal of Wade. The captivating animation showcases their malleability and explores abstract concepts, creating an exciting visual experience.
However, the film's potential in utilizing color, form, and movement is hindered by the lack of imaginative storytelling. Only a handful of remarkable sequences, such as a mesmerizing visit to an underwater garden of Vivisteria flowers and a captivating detour into hand-drawn animation depicting a minimalistic love story, truly set "Elemental" apart from other Pixar films. Despite its rapid progression, the film fails to take any unexpected turns or venture into uncharted territory.
"Elemental" fails to capture the captivating aesthetic imagination seen in modern Pixar classics like "Finding Nemo" and "Wall-E." The only exception is composer Thomas Newman's rich score, drawing inspiration from various global musical traditions and presenting a more cohesive vision of cross-cultural exchange than the film's confused portrayal of immigrant communities. Interestingly, "Elemental" carries an explosive energy from moment to moment, but it quickly fades from memory once you exit the theater, much like the fleeting encounter between fire and water.
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