Elemental is a 2023 American animated romantic comedy-drama film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Directed by Peter Sohn, the film explores themes of diversity, immigration, and self-discovery through the lens of anthropomorphized elements living in a vibrant metropolis.Rotten Tomatoes+5Wikipedia+5Them+5Them+3EW.com+3Wikipedia+3
🎬 Film Overview
- Title: Elemental
- Release Date: June 16, 2023
- Director: Peter Sohn
- Screenwriters: John Hoberg, Kat Likkel, Brenda Hsueh
- Producer: Denise Ream
- Music Composer: Thomas Newman
- Production Company: Pixar Animation Studios
- Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Runtime: 101 minutes
- Language: English
- Budget: $200 million
- Box Office Gross: $496.4 million The New Yorker+8YouTube+8Wikipedia+8CineGods+6Wikipedia+6Rotten Tomatoes+6Rotten Tomatoes+1Wikipedia+1
🌟 Voice Cast
- Leah Lewis as Ember Lumen
- Mamoudou Athie as Wade Ripple
- Ronnie del Carmen as Bernie Lumen
- Shila Ommi as Cinder Lumen
- Wendi McLendon-Covey as Gale Cumulus
- Catherine O’Hara as Brook Ripple
- Mason Wertheimer as Clod Roger Ebert+10Them+10Wikipedia+10Roger Ebert+10Wikipedia+10Them+10The Movie Database+1Roger Ebert+1
🌆 Setting: Element City
The film is set in Element City, a bustling metropolis where residents embody the four classical elements: fire, water, earth, and air. Each community resides in neighborhoods tailored to their elemental needs, reflecting cultural diversity and coexistence. The city’s design draws inspiration from real-world cities like New York, Venice, and Amsterdam, featuring intricate waterways and architectural styles suited to each element. Yipee ki-yay, motherbooker+2The New Yorker+2Rotten Tomatoes+2Wikipedia
🔥💧 Plot Summary
Ember Lumen, a fiery young woman, works at her family’s convenience store, “The Fireplace,” in Fire Town. Her parents, Bernie and Cinder, immigrated to Element City to build a better life. Ember is poised to take over the store but struggles with controlling her temper.Rotten Tomatoes+2Wikipedia+2Them+2
An accidental pipe burst introduces Wade Ripple, a water element and city inspector, into Ember’s life. Wade reports the plumbing issue, threatening the store’s closure. To save it, Ember and Wade team up to fix the city’s infrastructure problems. As they work together, a bond forms between them, challenging societal norms that discourage inter-element relationships.IMDb+5Wikipedia+5Them+5
Their journey uncovers systemic issues in Element City, highlighting themes of prejudice and acceptance. Ember’s growing feelings for Wade conflict with her sense of duty to her family and community. Ultimately, Ember realizes her true aspirations lie beyond the store, leading to personal growth and a redefined sense of identity. Wikipedia+9Yipee ki-yay, motherbooker+9IMDb+9Wikipedia
🎵 Music
The film’s score is composed by Thomas Newman, marking his fourth collaboration with Pixar after “Finding Nemo,” “WALL-E,” and “Finding Dory.” The soundtrack blends orchestral elements with contemporary sounds, enhancing the film’s emotional depth. The original song “Steal the Show,” performed by Lauv, features prominently during key moments in Ember and Wade’s relationship. Wikipedia
🏆 Reception and Accolades
Despite a modest opening weekend, “Elemental” gained momentum, grossing over $496 million worldwide. Critics praised its animation, world-building, and heartfelt storytelling, though some noted its allegorical approach to social themes as overt. The film received nominations for several awards, including:EW.com+2Wikipedia+2The New Yorker+2
🌐 Streaming and Home Media
“Elemental” was released for digital download on August 15, 2023, and became available on Disney+ on September 13, 2023. The home media release includes bonus features such as deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and the short film “Carl’s Date.” Wikipedia
🌈 Representation and Themes
The film introduces Lake Ripple, Pixar’s first nonbinary character, voiced by nonbinary actor Ava Kai Hauser. Lake is Wade’s younger sibling and uses they/them pronouns, marking a step forward in LGBTQ+ representation in animated films. Them
“Elemental” delves into themes of immigration, cultural identity, and societal integration, drawing parallels to real-world experiences of marginalized communities. Director Peter Sohn infused the narrative with personal insights, reflecting his upbringing as the son of Korean immigrants in New York City. EW.com+3Wikipedia+3EW.com+3
“Elemental” stands as a testament to Pixar’s continued exploration of complex themes through imaginative storytelling and rich animation, offering audiences a poignant tale of love, identity, and acceptance.
