This 27the The animated film from the Pixar studios leaves the feeling of being unfinished, despite some excellent finds.
In the city of Element City, the various inhabitants – fire, water, air and earth – live in relative harmony. Here Bernie (voice of Ronnie Del Carmen in the original version) and Cinder (voice of Shila Ommi) decided to emigrate. The fiery couple, who are starting a business, will soon have a daughter, Ember (voiced by Leah Lewis), who her father dreams of inheriting the family business.
The fate that manifests itself in the person of Wade Ripple (voice of Mamoudou Athie), a city inspector who belongs to the water element, is not reckoned with. In fact, the friendship between the fiery temper Ember and the kind Wade turns into love – to the great displeasure of the girl’s parents.
Photo courtesy Disney/Pixar
Written by John Hoberg, Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh from an idea by director Peter Sohn of The Good Dinosaur fame, Elementary is not lacking in originality. At the top of the list are of course many elements of animation, especially the great detail decorations – especially Bernie’s shop – or the textures – as in “The Good Dinosaur, the Water” succeeded. Through inventive exploration of the ins and outs of fire, including the transformation of sand into glass, and water, including steam, the production team ensure to create twists and turns that will amaze little ones.
While the main plot remains predictable, not to say boring, the love story between Ember and Wade is also peppered with more or less subtle considerations about immigration, inclusivity, respect for differences or the passing on of family values.
Like The Good Dinosaur, Elementary suffers from an overdose of good feelings and good intentions, forgetting that it’s Pixar finesse – Up, Toy Story, Ratatouille, to name a few – that is its appeal.
Rating: 3 out of 5