Written by Sam Clark
Certificate: PG
Running time: 99 minutes
Directors: Madeline Sharafian and Domme Shi
Pixar is the greatest thing to have ever happened to animated cinema, and I am dying on that hill. The very best of animated films or family films are the ones everyone can enjoy and take something from, and the more adult they are in their ideas and themes, the better. Even though grown ups are dragged along to see them, there is still something in there for them to laugh or cry at, as well as special effects, action and bright and sparkly lights there for the kids. Something for everyone is the objective, something that is universally liked by all demographics.
The greatest examples of all that instantly comes to my mind are the likes of Up, Inside Out, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse that tick all boxes for all ages. On the other hand, you have flicks such as DreamWorks's Shark Tale which was a huge misfire in attempting to replicate this. Gags and references to Goodfellas and The Godfather that were so obviously rammed down the throat of adults forced to watch it that left no room for discretion and subtlety.
Image credit: IMDb / Disney / Pixar
Elio is brought to us by directors Madeline Sharafian and Domme Shi who have worked on Pixar films in the past, but not just any Pixar films, some of their most emotional work that includes Coco and Inside Out which is my own personal favourite (no wonder this was such a lovely film), and writers Julia Cho, Mark Hammer and Mike Jones. We follow an orphaned, eleven year old boy named Elio who lives with his aunt (Zoe Saldana) who is struggling to raise him. He is obsessed with space and feels out of place in the world, and longs for some form of alien contact. He sends a message out to space in the hopes of finding life, and attracts the attention of the ''Communiverse'' - an intergalactic society who mistake him for some form of heroic saviour. He must summon all of his bravery (however little he has) and rescue them from the villainous ''Lord Grigon'' (Brad Garrett), who wants to rule the galaxy.
Upon first glance at the trailer, I did think Elio looked very childish and televisual (and even looked like Pixar had dropped the ball once again after recent disappointments), but I am so glad and happy to be been proven wrong. There are some Pixar films that demand to be seen in cinemas. Here however, I did sometimes get the sense that this would've been equally at home on Disney Plus as it is on a multiplex screen. Had this been the case, I would not have complained that much. Yes, it is one of the youngest films in Pixar's catalogue, but boy does it still remember to pack an almighty emotional gut punch that reminds us why they are the best in the business. We are so incredible lucky to have them.
Image credit: IMDb / Disney / Pixar
By now, we know that the darker the story, the better the product. This is a story of death and loss, but the fact that they have been able to pull it off this well for an audience this young (as they always do) is as incredible and remarkable as it always is. It may take them a little while to get back to their prime which we love so much, but this is a monumental improvement over what they have done recently and I hope for more like this down the line. If you don't cry at at Pixar film, you ain't doing it right.
In cinemas now
