Pixar’s Elio: Amazing World, Weak Story?

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In simple terms, Pixar’s latest movie, titled Elio, is another marvel from the studio that follows the theme of children representing Earth against enigmatic cosmic forces. Similar tales include Steven Spielberg’s classic, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, where a boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas) forms a bond with an alien called E.T., fighting various earthly obstacles to reunite him with his kind. In The Last Starfighter, a young man excels at a video game and is later drafted for an interstellar war. The Robinson family, protagonists in Lost in Space, are pioneers who struggle to survive space voyages with the aid of their intelligent son Will Robinson and their family’s Robot (Bob May). The storyline of Elio is driven by a child’s dream to find their place among the stars.

In summary, “Elio” seems to be an inconsistent production. Its intended genre is evident, but it lacks overarching narrative coherence. The worldbuilding is impressive, making it engaging for viewers, however, the desires of characters like Elio, Olga, and others remain incongruous and unresolved. The film is visually captivating, yet it fails to establish a clear protagonist’s journey or purpose (What drives Elio – friendship, family bonds, adventure? What exactly propels him into space exploration?) or present a relatable perspective. It’s unfortunate that it falls short in these areas.

Elio Benefits From Top-Shelf Voice Performances

In this story, we follow a character named Elio (played by Yonas Kibreab), who is left under the care of his Aunt Olga (Zoe Saldaña) after his parents have passed away. Despite her kind nature and military service in the U.S., Aunt Olga’s busy schedule leaves little time for the young boy to adjust to his new life. Elio finds solace in dreaming about exploring the cosmos.

In simpler terms, the character interacts with extraterrestrial beings belonging to a collective called the Communiverse, which includes various planets and species across the universe. He falsely claims to be the leader of Earth. This deception draws the attention of an interstellar warlord named Lord Grigon, played by Brad Garrett, leading to potential conflicts or battles.

Kibreab is incredibly charming, much like a young, orphaned boy who has an extraordinary fascination with space. He’s full of energy and enthusiasm, with a hint of mischief. Saldaña delivers a fantastic performance as Olga, although her character isn’t fully developed in the storyline.

The remainder of the story showcases strong vocal performances by Brad Garrett, Remy Edgerly as the young alien Glordon, Questa played by Jameela Jamil, and many more. All in all, the acting is top-notch.

In a more simplified and conversational manner: Elio truly shines in creating intricate universes. The diverse creatures from the Communiverse are captivating, each boasting unique and visually appealing designs.

This place seems inhabited and offers ample chances for spectators to delve into this collection of extraterrestrial beings. While we don’t get a glimpse of their respective planets, the diverse alien characters are well-developed and intriguing.

Elio Pivoted Major Character Arcs, & You Can Tell

The movie, Elio, has some storyline inconsistencies that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The characters, including Elio’s, have motivations and developmental arcs that don’t always align seamlessly. It’s understandable that losing both parents is distressing, and it’s clear that Olga is often too occupied to spend much time with Elio. However, the sudden shift from a yearning for extraterrestrial travel and disregard for Olga seems abrupt, given his character development is primarily about forging friendships and reconnecting with family.

Olga’s journey entails an unusual shift where she learns to value and rebuild her relationship with Elio, but this transition takes an unexpected route through a doppelganger. Her personality often lacks clarity and individuality, which explains why it seems that Pixar’s meticulous storytelling overlooked her.

Initially, Olga was planned as Elio’s mother, portrayed by America Ferrera. Despite their frequent disagreements, they eventually manage to understand each other better thanks to some shared experiences. As for Glordon, he yearns to break free from his father’s predetermined path, ultimately finding a compromise with Lord Grigon toward the end.

The characters in this narrative have distinct development arcs that don’t quite coalesce into a unified whole. Instead, their stories present varying perspectives on the plot and the characters’ journeys. This isn’t an unprecedented issue, as dissonant character arcs can be found in other films, but it’s noticeable here, particularly given the disparity. It seems as though these characters were created at different times for separate reasons. In contrast, the upcoming “Toy Story 5” might address this issue, offering more cohesive character development.

The movie, titled Elio, offers numerous humorous instances and unexpectedly terrifying sequences that harmoniously fit within the narrative. It skillfully employs its scenes, with the clones serving both comedic and dramatic purposes effectively, while their proximity to a military base enhances the emotional intensity towards the end. Overall, Elio constructs a captivating, lively universe, although its main narrative and character development could be more compelling.

Final Rating: 7/10
 

Elio hits theaters on Friday, June 20, 2025.

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2025-06-17 19:04