Name: Elemental
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Romance
Released: 2023-06-14T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey

The opening shot of Ember Lumen (Leah Lewis), a fiery young woman navigating the vibrant chaos of Element City, is a visual feast—her flames flickering against the pastel hues of her environment, a stark contrast that immediately grabs attention. Peter Sohn’s Elemental (2023) is a film that thrives on its aesthetic, but struggles to ignite deeper narrative embers.

Set in a world where anthropomorphic elements coexist—fire, water, earth, and air—Elemental follows Ember, a spirited fire elemental, as she crosses paths with Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie), a laid-back water elemental. Their romance is the heart of the film, but it’s a journey that feels familiar long before it begins. The city itself is a marvel, a kaleidoscope of colors and textures that dazzle the eyes, but the story it houses is one we’ve seen too many times. Ember and Wade’s meet-cute at her father’s (Ronnie del Carmen) store is charming, but their subsequent arc is predictable, lacking the emotional heft or originality that elevates Pixar’s best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXzcyx9V0xwhttps

Where Elemental excels is in its world-building. The film’s visual style is a standout, with each elemental type rendered distinctively—Ember’s fiery glow against Wade’s cool blue ripples. The cityscape is a playground of creativity, blending the natural elements into an urban environment that feels both whimsical and grounded. The voice cast, particularly Lewis and Athie, bring warmth and chemistry to their roles, making their romance the film’s most engaging aspect.

However, the script stumbles in its execution. The story beats are formulaic, and the character turns feel telegraphed from miles away. The conflict between Ember’s fiery independence and Wade’s fluid adaptability is interesting on paper, but it’s handled with a timidity that robs it of tension. The film seems afraid to delve into darker or more complex emotions, opting instead for safe, familiar beats that prioritize visual spectacle over narrative depth.

The supporting cast, while talented, is underutilized. Characters like Bernie (del Carmen), Ember’s father, and Gale (Wendi McLendon-Covey), a no-nonsense air elemental, add texture to the world but are sidelined in favor of the central romance. The film’s attempt to explore themes of integration and coexistence is commendable, but it’s handled with a broad brush, missing the nuance that could have made it resonate more deeply.

In the end, Elemental is a visually stunning but narratively safe entry in the Pixar canon.

Tags: animation, Mamoudou Athie, Leah Lewis, Peter Sohn, Elemental, Ronnie del Carmen