- "Elio" is a visually stunning Pixar film with top-notch animation and design.
- The film's heart lies in Elio and Glordon's friendship, offering relatable moments.
- However, "Elio" lacks Pixar's usual emotional depth, making it less memorable overall.
Pixar has produced some of the most iconic and beloved films over the years.
Movies like "Inside Out," "Coco," and "Ratatouille" are classics, in my book. These films are brilliantly crafted and full of humor, emotion and storytelling that resonates with audiences of all ages.
When Pixar is at the top of its game, the result is cinematic magic. However, not every movie is a homerun.
"Turning Red" is, in my opinion, one of the worst movies I've seen in a long time. "Cars 2" is unbearable, and films like "Elemental" and "The Good Dinosaur" are just fine. In fact, I had to Google Pixar movies just to remember that those last two even existed.
So, where does "Elio" fall in the Pixar spectrum? For me, it's somewhere in the middle. It does not reach the heights of "Inside Out" or "Coco," but it doesn't sink to the depths of "Cars 2" or "Turning Red," either.
"Elio" is an entertaining film with some great moments, but I have a feeling I'll need Google to remind me about it in a few years.
The good
Top-notch animation
One thing Pixar consistently excels at is animation. Whether you love or hate a specific Pixar film, you can't deny the brilliance of the animation in each outing. "Elio" is no different.
The space visuals and alien designs are playful, vibrant and full of creative flair. The spaceships, planets and otherworldly creatures are a feast for the eyes, and the visual storytelling is done very well. It's all visually engaging, with so much to look at that it will keep your attention throughout.
Pixar continues to push the boundaries of animation, and it's clear here that they've done just that. The worlds are imaginative, and the characters pop against their surroundings, making for an enjoyable visual experience.
Elio and Glordon
For me, the heart of "Elio" is the friendship between Elio and Glordon. Without giving too much away, this dynamic is the most fun and relatable part of the film. It's a classic story of two outcasts finding each other and discovering something new about themselves in the process.
The way they see the world through fresh eyes, embracing the magic of childhood wonder while learning to appreciate the ordinary, is a beautiful message. The writers did an excellent job of capturing the perspective of a child. You can feel the way Elio experiences everything with an open mind, while the adults around him have lost that sense of magic and wonder.
The film taps into the innocence of childhood and how, sometimes, it's only through the eyes of a child that we can see the extraordinary in the ordinary. It's a sweet and poignant part of the film that felt genuine and emotionally resonant.
The forgettable
Missing that Pixar magic
While "Elio" tries to create an emotional connection, it never quite grabs you the way some of Pixar's best films do. The film's story feels a bit thin, and I never found myself fully invested in the characters or the stakes.
The plot — which revolves around Elio being thrust into space, befriending Glordon and overcoming challenges — just didn't have the same weight or excitement as Pixar's other films.
"Coco," for example, is built on a rich world filled with colorful characters, unexpected twists, and emotional growth. You go on a journey with Miguel, and by the end, you've laughed, cried and experienced a transformation alongside him.
With "Elio," the emotional journey feels more surface-level. While Elio goes on an emotional arc, it's not as layered or deeply felt as in other Pixar films. The film does hit some heartwarming moments, but it never quite reaches the emotional highs that Pixar is known for.
Supporting characters fall flat
Another issue for me was the lack of engagement with the supporting characters. In "Ratatouille," for example, the secondary characters are rich, funny and add so much color to the story. In "Elio," the supporting characters, while present, don't play a significant role.
The supporting characters are there to serve the plot, but they don't add anything meaningful or memorable to the story. I found that the interactions between Elio and Glordon to be the only interactions that felt authentic; the rest of the characters remained flat.
The humor that worked so well with Elio and Glordon didn't quite land when it came to the other characters. The jokes felt rehashed, and the dynamic between Elio and the supporting cast didn't offer anything fresh. It's hard to get invested in a movie when the supporting characters are forgettable.
Conclusion
"Elio" is a fun and visually stunning movie, but it's not one of Pixar's best. The animation is top-tier, and the relationship between Elio and Glordon is sweet and relatable, but the story lacks the emotional depth and character development that we've come to expect from Pixar.
While it has its heartwarming moments, the film ultimately falls into the category of "Elemental" and "The Good Dinosaur": entertaining but not memorable.
For younger audiences, this will likely be an enjoyable experience. However, for those of us who have grown up with Pixar's emotional storytelling, "Elio" is a decent watch, but I'm not sure it will leave a lasting impression.
"Elio" is officially rated PG for thematic elements and mild action.
