Luca (2021)

Chang finds the film funny, enchanting, and more surefooted than some of Pixar’s more ambitious work. He praises its bright, ingenious animation and its nuanced portrayal of friendship and living transparently.

Rooney finds Luca sweet, satisfying and warmly heartfelt, with fresh charm in its friendship and acceptance themes. He especially praises the film’s beautiful environments, from its luminous waters to its sun-soaked Italian village.

Ehrlich finds Luca a modest, refreshing coming-of-age story that stands out among Pixar’s films. He especially praises its vivid, tactile seaside setting and the lived-in feeling it gives the film.

O'Sullivan finds the film charming and calls it an ode to friendship, underdogs, and letting your freak flag fly. She praises its Italian setting and cultural details, but objects to the sea-monsters helping the townspeople kill fish.

Campbell finds Luca a funny, sweet, and charming diversion from Pixar’s usual formula. The film’s lovingly imagined Italian seaside setting and warm, nostalgic vision stand out.

Ide calls the film a gentle pleasure, though she says it lacks some of Pixar’s dizzying inventiveness. She singles out its abundant charm and its exploration of friendship and not fitting in.

The critic finds the film a quaintly charming summer adventure. They praise its transport to a delightful corner of Italy.

The visible standfirst presents the film as a heartwarming tale. It singles out the sea creatures taking human form, but the full review is inaccessible.

The review calls the film an affable, enjoyable highlight among recent Pixar efforts, while saying the studio’s magic touch may be waning. It praises the town’s rich animation and the charismatic trio of young characters.

Dowd finds Luca pleasant but slight, calling it a mild and shallow addition to the Pixar canon. He praises the visual slapstick and the film’s gorgeous Mediterranean backdrop, while faulting its thinly developed characters and motivations.

Watson finds the film charming but less sharply crafted and emotionally resonant than Pixar’s strongest work. He particularly praises the luminous, carefully imagined Italian Riviera setting, while faulting the episodic plotting and flimsy metaphor.

The critic finds the film a letdown, saying Pixar’s magic is missing. They describe its seaside coming-of-age story as sleepy and its adventure as damp around the edges.

Graham finds Luca one of Pixar’s weaker films, though still worth watching. He praises the emotional final stretch and the film’s thoughtful message, while criticizing its predictable story and creeping monotony.

Gleiberman finds Luca a pleasant, visually beguiling fairy tale that is modest to a fault. He praises its small-town Italian imagery but criticizes the thin script and episodic plotting.

Willmore finds the film charming but only partially successful, saying its effort to carry thematic meaning keeps it from fully inhabiting its world. She praises its pleasant Italian setting and groovy pop songs, while faulting its thinly developed characters and worldbuilding.

The critic finds Luca charming and amiable, but too generic and safe to make a lasting impact. They praise its pastel-coloured setting and especially its animated linguine, while faulting its sleepy pace and lack of emotional force.

The critic calls Luca one of Pixar’s best, praising its simple, emotionally honest coming-of-age story. They single out its Ghibli-inspired animation and a breathtaking moment of the boys imagining fish in the sky.

The critic finds Luca a sweet, charming story of first love, though he notes its LGBTQ+ subtext stops short of being fully explicit. He praises the emotional depth and specificity of Luca and Alberto’s relationship.

Taylor calls the film magical, emotionally rich, and unlike other Pixar features. He particularly praises its distinctive animation style and the heartfelt relationship at its center.

Sandwell finds Luca a heartfelt, funny and beautifully crafted story that leaves a strong impression despite its simple, predictable plot. He especially praises the distinctive, hand-drawn quality of the animation, which gives Portorosso a personal, timeless feel.

The critic finds Luca sweet, affecting, and successful on several storytelling levels. They praise its layered friendship story and its subtle metaphor about identity and belonging.

Worthington finds Luca charming and modest, ultimately calling it perhaps Pixar’s best kid-focused tale since Coco despite a shaggy middle. He especially praises the fragile, formative friendship between Luca and Alberto, along with the film’s sun-dappled atmosphere.

Wilkinson finds the animation warm, nostalgic and winning, though aimed firmly at younger viewers. She praises its imaginative flights of fantasy and lively childhood energy, while noting its reliance on Italian stereotypes.

Crump finds Luca charming but ultimately muddled and insubstantial. He praises its soft, distinctive animation and cultural influences, while faulting the rushed, unfocused storytelling.

The critic finds Luca adequate but disappointing by Pixar standards, describing it as a minor effort. He praises its dazzling visuals and Italian coastal scenery, while faulting its familiar story and lack of emotional depth.