Elemental (2023)

Opposites attract in this Pixar rom-com but the film plays it safe and never quite ignites. The director's ambition to bring new ideas is admirable and the voice cast has pleasant chemistry, yet the clichéd storyline and artificial animation leave it feeling scattered and limited.

The critic finds the story basic but praises the visually dazzling animation and the charming romance between fire and water elements, highlighting the tender voice performance of the water character.

Fire and water fall for each other in a romantic racial harmony parable that develops into a genuinely sweet and moving courtship despite bending its own rules.

The critic praises the central romance and voice performances but notes the film is overstuffed with plot strands and simplistic dialogue.

The film is a beautiful-looking but paper-thin rom-com that struggles with emotional complexity and world-building overshadowing the story, with praise for the central duo and visual inventiveness.

Not top-tier Pixar but plenty heartfelt, with lovely moments in the city exploration and a cute love story boosted by a funny voice performance. Narratively it feels basic and short-changed, with immigration themes only cursorily examined.

A heartfelt tale of second-generation immigrant struggles that is visually outstanding, though emotions get bogged down by a familiar and cluttered story. Thoughtful ideas on inequality and xenophobia are present but not always subtle.

The film ambitiously tackles segregation and ghettoisation through its element world but lacks storytelling muscle for the metaphor to land fully. Some fun action and strong voice work stand out, especially the meet-the-parents scene, but overall it feels slight to middling.

The critic appreciates the sweet nature and visuals but criticizes the lack of depth in exploring themes.

The film has visual energy in its segregated city setting but the central romance lacks persuasive chemistry. It draws parallels with other Pixar films but falls short in inventive storytelling and laughs.

The critic finds it a cute but stale retread of Pixar tropes that fails to justify its existence compared to better entries.

The critic finds the film overcomplicated and a misfire despite the high-concept ideas, praising the emotional father-daughter scene but criticizing the excessive world-building and multitasking plot.

The critic sees it as a messy metaphor for interracial romance and immigrant stories that falls into stereotypes and clichés, praising the visuals and design but criticizing the undercooked concept and reductiveness.

High on concept but low on fun, the immigrant story told through elements is fine but feels like an overearnest entertainer that fails to engage fully.

The critic finds the film underwhelming and predictable despite its timely immigrant metaphor and visual appeal, praising the character of Bernie but noting it feels like a generic Pixar entry.

A flawed but big-hearted tale of forbidden love in Element City that is beautiful but drippy overall.

Elemental is a charming but formulaic original Pixar film that excels in animation and offers a tentative romance with some immigrant story elements, though it leans too heavily on familiar mismatched-buddy tropes. It is better than recent sequels but signals a need for the studio to innovate.

The film offers a sweet father-daughter story and a cute romance between fire and water elements that feels natural. It boasts flawless visuals and personal themes but lacks the creative spark of earlier Pixar films.

The critic finds the film formulaic and overly similar to Zootopia, with a clumsy handling of the immigrant story that lacks nuance. They praise the beautiful animation and heartwarming elements but note the story fails to stand out.

Pixar's animation craft is impressive, but the dull, safe story fails to deliver emotional ambition or wit in its heavy-handed metaphor about immigration and tolerance. The romantic comedy template and expected turns make it suitable only for completists.

The film competently executes familiar Pixar tropes and an immigrant romance metaphor but piles on too many elements, resulting in a fizzling story that fails to carry its weightier themes. It draws from earlier animated features without enough originality or cohesion.

The critic finds the film visually splendid with a clever concept and inventive world-building but criticizes it as dull-witted, syrupy and overly sentimental in its romance and messaging about immigrants. They argue the protracted will-they-won't-they plot and moralizing undermine the Pixar-level invention.

The critic highlights the effective cross-cultural love story and immigrant themes handled with empathy, along with strong character chemistry and sublime animation. They note the plot feels a bit pat in places but overall find it satisfying and moving.

The critic praises the film's visual craftsmanship, inventive character designs and trailblazing animation techniques as a vibrant showcase for studio animation. They note it falls somewhat short of previous Pixar highs in storytelling, with an episodic narrative and simple metaphors that live up to the title.