‘Elio’ – Pixar’s Latest Space Odyssey

A Review by Jason Wright

Pixar, the animation powerhouse known for tugging on our heartstrings and dazzling our eyes, has launched its latest cinematic venture, ‘Elio’, a journey into the cosmos that marks their first foray into pure sci-fi since the beloved ‘WALL-E’ back in 2008. But has this trip to the stars been a triumphant return or a forgettable detour?

The film centres on Elio Solis, a lonely 11-year-old boy who, despite living with his loving Aunt Olga (voiced by the talented Zoe Saldaña), feels like an outsider on Earth. His parents passed away when he was younger, and he yearns for connection, firmly believing in alien life and actively trying to make contact. His dream of abduction becomes a reality, albeit an accidental one, when he’s unexpectedly beamed up to the “Communiverse” – an intergalactic council of various alien species. In a classic case of mistaken identity, Elio finds himself inadvertently declared Earth’s official ambassador, suddenly thrust into a universe-spanning diplomatic crisis.

First, let’s talk about the undeniable good. It’s Pixar, so it almost goes without saying that the animation is simply exquisite. Regardless of the narrative’s strength, you’re always guaranteed a visual feast with their productions. The character designs, both human and alien, feel unique and well-executed, showcasing the studio’s unparalleled artistry. The vibrant and imaginative alien worlds, particularly the Communiverse itself, are a kaleidoscope of shapes and colours – a visual treat that genuinely sparks wonder.

However, where ‘Elio’ unfortunately stumbles is in its narrative impact. Much like Pixar’s previous original offering, ‘Elemental’, this film suffers from being rather forgettable. But unlike ‘Elemental’, which managed to find its stride with heartwarming moments, I found ‘Elio’ to be genuinely boring for large stretches. Despite the grand cosmic setting, I struggled to become invested in the unfolding events. The one exception was the relationship between Elio and his aunt, which had moments of genuine warmth and emotional resonance. It’s a real shame, as I, like many others, had high hopes for this one.

Adding to the film’s woes is its rather unfortunate box office performance. ‘Elio’ has regrettably earned the title of Pixar’s lowest opening for a film ever, bringing in around $21 million domestically against a reported budget of $150-$250 million. This puts it even below ‘Elemental’s initial opening, though it remains to be seen if ‘Elio’ can achieve a similar turnaround through positive word-of-mouth. The film also faces stiff competition, opening against other family-friendly titles like the live-action ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ remake.

Ultimately, while the stunning visuals and beautiful animation are a given with Pixar, ‘Elio’ struggles to deliver a compelling and memorable story. I’ll give it a 4 out of 10 because, as always, you’re guaranteed a visually stunning experience. But sadly, this particular space adventure feels more like a misstep than a giant leap for mankind.

Elio is showing at Wellington Orbit from July 25th https://wellingtonorbit.co.uk/film/1019/elio/

Pic: ©Disney