Pixar, once synonymous with the cinematic prestige of classics such as Toy Story (1995), Monsters Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), and The Incredibles (2004), has seen its reputation wane in recent years. Yet, its latest venture, Elemental, underscores the studio's unwavering commitment to weaving compelling narratives within unique, inventive worlds, despite an underwhelming box office response.
Elemental, directed by Peter Sohn, repackages the standard coming-of-age clichés in a candied, eye-popping universe populated by four elements: fire, water, earth, and air. Beings of these disparate elements cohabitate in Element City, a vibrant and bustling metropolis.
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It is here, in Element City, that Ember Lumen’s (Leah Lewis) family finds solace after a storm ravages their homeland. As a nascent flame, Ember is an animated fireball, the young daughter of immigrants; her father operates his own New York-style bodega, a responsibility he hopes she matures into.
In this diverse cityscape, tension bubbles among factions. Ember’s father, Bernie (Del Carmen), often warns her, "Always keep your eye on the waters," as she tends the cash register. The mistrust among the different elements seeps throughout the entire narrative.
Ember and Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie), a water element, two seemingly opposite beings from different cultures and classes, lie at the heart of this story. Wade’s wealthy and Americanized family adopts a laissez-faire, “Que sera, sera” attitude about his future. In stark contrast, Ember’s immigrant parents are traditionalists, their roots steeped in preserving legacy and honoring their lineage. Ember's struggle to navigate these two worlds, to make her parents proud while simultaneously charting her own destiny, is one of Elemental’s greatest and most relatable triumphs.
The film's main act kicks off when Wade, who’s employed as a municipal bureaucrat, winds up in her shop. In an attempt to assuage Wade’s concern with a water pipe adhering to city regulations, Ember explains, “My dad built this whole shop with his bare hands.” The neurotic city inspector, more bewildered than impressed, replies, “Without permits?” And proceeds to write up a slew of citations that threaten the shop's future.
Faced with burgeoning responsibilities and driven by an untamable temper, Ember chases down the inspector in a desperate bid to save her father's livelihood. As age-old clichés dictate, these two opposites — a flaming ember and a water blob — inevitably become star-crossed lovers.
However, unlike Shakespeare's doomed romance, Elemental probes into the concept of destiny from a much more optimistic perspective. Ember grows up preparing to fill her father's shoes, vying for his approval and constantly asking if she is ready to take over. Her mother, Cinder (Shila Ommi), often reminds her, "Only marry fire." It is only when she meets Wade that she begins to question her predetermined path and wonders what she wants in life.
As Ember leaps beyond her comfort zone to explore life on her terms, the film’s latter half mirrors the familiar romantic comedy template. Despite the predictable tropes, it remains heartfelt, drawing inspiration from director Peter Sohn's experiences growing up as the son of immigrants in New York City.
Regardless of Elemental’s middling box office performance, Pixar can rarely be faulted for being lazy or dull; its last film, Lightyear, is a rare exception. With films such as Onward, Soul, or Luca — and now Elemental — the studio continues to push the boundaries of animation. With a willingness to experiment and evolve, Pixar is evidently unafraid to delve into complex themes and concepts and convey them through abstract characters in abstract realms.
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It is this artistic innovation and willingness to take risks, coupled with storytelling prowess, that first put Pixar on the map, and it is what continues to make its projects compelling.
Harry Khachatrian (@Harry1T6) is a film critic for the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog and a computer engineer in Toronto, pursuing his MBA.