Elemental is the new film from Disney’s Pixar, directed by Peter Sohn (The Good Dinosaur), which explores a world where the elements of nature are anthropomorphised. Its story follows fire element Ember Lumen (Leah Lewis) and water element Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie), who meet after Wade is accidentally summoned by a plumbing accident at the convenience store owned by Ember's father Bernie (Ronnie del Carmen). Slowly the two begin to fall in love, despite the reasons the world, their families and they give themselves as to why their relationship couldn’t work. 

 

Elemental is a charming, beautifully animated film with a wholesome core story and great performances from leads Lewis and Athie. However, the film busies itself with a complicated world that rather obfuscates the power at the core of its story.

 

Combined with character designs that are a bit too reminiscent of recent Pixar films Inside Out and Soul, and a screenplay that doesn’t quite handle its lead character motivations with enough clarity to help make their journey through the plot as compelling as great Pixar films of the past have, Elemental feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. This is a shame as there clearly is an abundance of love and effort put into realising the film’s world so vividly. 

 

Kids will no doubt appreciate Elemental’s striking visuals but its themes relating to cultural and ethnic diversity may fly a little too high, though the message will land with more impact with adults, especially those who have experienced anything similar in their lives to Ember Lumen’s family’s story.

 

Elemental benefits from beautiful animation and a great cast, though its complicated world detracts from a strong core story that itself might resonate more with adults than the kids.