• Release year: 2023
• Director: Peter Sohn.
• Producer: Denise Ream.
• Screenplay by: John Hoberg, Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh.
• Cinematographers: David Juan Bianchi and Jean-Claude Kalache.
• Music by: Thomas Newman.

Shotgun Commentary: Romeo and Juliet fight bureaucracy, and win.

Review

Elemental is a very educational film about immigration and tolerance. The creation of films that help children normalise the idea of a multicultural society will always be paramount to the proper development of humanity. Even more so since the education is controlled by ever-changing governments that modify it according to their agendas and prejudices instead of the greater good of the children.

Not only is it impossible to stop international migration, but also there is no reason to do so. Individuals need to stop being afraid and hateful towards everything they don’t understand, especially other humans. So features like this one are not only a brilliant idea, but also a necessary push towards a more accepting and open community. Plus, they focus on the most important part of society: the kids.

Love is in the air, and fire, and water, and earth

Elemental is a love story. Love between individuals who don’t always understand each other, but care for one another deeply. That is the case of both Ember (Leah Lewis) and Wade (Mamoudou Athie), and Ember and her parents Bernie (Ronnie del Carmen) and Cinder (Shila Ommi). The former learn to overcome their differences to make each other happy. The latter learn to comprehend one another and the importance of honesty and respect.

Faithful to Disney and Pixar’s animation style, the technique is flawless. The textures of the elements, especially in regard to their surroundings and how they interact with it, are astonishingly gorgeous. And faithful to their narrative style, the development of the previously mentioned relationships is very emotional and tear-jerking. Both of these companies are known for toying with their audiences’ feelings through complicated family relationships and fake deaths, and this film is no exception.

Wait…what?

Mastery of emotional manipulation aside, the plot has so many holes that it would sink in a puddle. The main issue is with the catalyst of the storyline: the pipes under The Fireplace, Bernie’s shop, break and flood the basement. Firstly, if only water runs through the pipes and the fire district hasn’t received any such supply in years, so why are they obligated to pass any regulations? They could just as easily be decorations. Secondly, if the pipes are no longer in use, why would Bernie leave them there when he remodelled the building?

Elemental is made for children, yes, but they are not dumb. Additionally, they are usually accompanied to the cinema by their parents, so at least they could have made a plausible reason for those pipes’ existence so that the adults don’t give up on it five minutes in. It is a pity that such talented work and important message are muddled by a slip like that.

Subtle like a brick

The cinematography is incredible and hints at the main theme of the motion picture before anything else does. The voyage by ship; the setting up of a shop; the feeling of judgement and avoidance; the creation of a neighbourhood apart from the city itself with everything you might require so you don’t have to go outside that area, where you feel inadequate and rejected… All of these point to the Asian immigrant experience, but it isn’t until you see the coin that fire people use that your suspicions are confirmed.

The clarity of the comparison is good for children to not have any problems understanding the message and, hopefully, becoming better people for it.

The reality of fiction

The experience of the second generation immigrant is front and centre, representing a huge part of the population. The challenge of being different to everyone you know, the constant pressure to make your parent’s sacrifices worth it, the shame of feeling burdened to meet all their expectations…

All these problems are communicated through the character of Ember, who has the permanent feeling that she is messing up and doing everything wrong despite her good intentions and infinite solutions.

The character of Wade is excellent for several reasons. Mainly because he shows that empathy is not something to be ashamed of but something to be celebrated, but also because he effortlessly accentuates the cultural differences, showing that they are not a barrier to be with anyone you want. Sometimes, they are exactly what you need to achieve the perfect balance.

Advice to take from this movie:

• It is very healthy to cry when you feel like it, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.
• Acceptance and an open mind are key to any relationship, regardless of its nature.
• If you want to close a big dam, and can melt metal, maybe use that instead of glass?

What’s your take? Are you more of a Pixar or a Disney fan? Have you watched Elemental (2023)? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀

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