I attended a free screening in exchange for my honest opinion.
ELEMENTAL is a Disney and Pixar original animated feature film releasing June 16, 2023. The voice cast includes Leah Lewis (Ember), Mamoudou Athie (Wade), Ronnie del Carmen (Bernie), Shila Ommi (Cinder), Wendi McLendon-Covey (Gale), Catherine O’Hara (Brook), Mason Wertheimer (Clod), and Joe Pera (Fern). It is directed by Peter Sohn, produced by Denise Ream, and rated PG.
Elemental is available in several formats, and for the screening we were treated to 3D. Since this is a Disney and Pixar production, there was a Pixar short, Carl’s Date, airing prior to the main movie. The same Carl from UP! and he is voiced by Ed Asner—he recorded it shortly before his death. Such a fun treat in 3D.
Elemental is a sweet story of finding one’s dreams, honor, respect, family, diversity, and love. It was inspired by Peter Sohn’s family experiences growing up the son of Korean immigrants in New York. It’s full of funny quips and puns, and a joy to watch.
Ember’s parents have left their homeland to start over in Element City—a city full of anthropomorphic elements of Air, Land, Water, and Fire, but the elements don’t always coexist. When they arrive, her parents’ names were changed to Bernie and Cinder, and they have a hard time finding a place to live. They settle in the Fire Town neighborhood of the city, and Ember was born soon after. Her parents run a convenience store and café, Fireplace, which serves the community, and her father’s wish is for Ember to eventually take over the store. When she can control her temper. Being Fire, when her temper is riled, Ember unintentionally sets fire to things nearby.
One day Ember loses her temper, and it wreaks havoc in the basement of their home and store building. A water leak occurs, which is dangerous for Fire because they can become extinguished. Wade, a member of Water, arrives through a pipe in the flooding. When Ember tries explaining how everything happened, she inadvertently tells Wade about all of the improvements her father made without permits, and Wade is obligated to report them because he’s a city water inspector.
Ember follows Wade to persuade him to stop, but it’s too late. Thus begins their friendship and attempts to right this. Attending a sporting event to plea her case to Wade’s boss, Gale, Ember is granted time for Wade to find the source of the leak and have it repaired, otherwise, Fire Place will be shut down.
Ember and Wade’s adventures take them all over the city. Even though they know the odds are against them, they persevere. Society says Fire and Water shouldn’t be friends, after all, water can extinguish fire and fire can evaporate water. But somehow, their relationship transcends the odds and stigmas, and they discover the barriers which hold them back may be overcome with love and friendship.
Ember has a gift using her inner fire to turn sand and glass into art and realizes her dream is to not run the store, but she doesn’t want to disappoint her parents. Wade challenges her to follow her dreams, but she rejects that and him. At this moment, a disaster is about to happen to Fire Town because the fix for the flooding breaks. All hope seems lost. But no spoilers here…
The soundtrack complements the film nicely, the animation is amazing, the comedy draws you in, and there’s just the right amount of drama to keep you engaged. Your inner fire will burn with delight as you follow along.
Elemental is a wonderful family film. Children and parents will love the animation, the tale of friendship and finding your way, overcoming adversity, embracing diversity, and facing one’s fears. It’s the perfect movie to start your summer!
Elemental arrives in theaters on June 16, 2023.
Voice Cast: Leah Lewis (Ember), Mamoudou Athie (Wade), Ronnie del Carmen (Bernie), Shila Ommi (Cinder), Wendi McLendon-Covey (Gale), Catherine O’Hara (Brook), Mason Wertheimer (Clod), Joe Pera (Fern)
Director: Peter Sohn
Producer: Denise Ream
Elemental Movie Trailer
Elemental Online
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