--- title: "Luca: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/luca/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/luca" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 25 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Luca (2021): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 25 reviews: 17 positive, 7 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics find Luca a warm, funny coming-of-age film, with praise clustering around its distinctive animation and carefully imagined Italian seaside setting. The coastal light, village details and softer visual style win approval even from less persuaded reviewers. For its admirers, the friendship between Luca and Alberto gives the modest story enough emotional weight, while its themes of acceptance and belonging feel gently handled rather than laboured. The main divide is over how much that simplicity delivers. Supporters welcome a smaller, more intimate Pixar film; others find thin characters, episodic plotting and a familiar story that struggles to sustain interest. Responses range from enthusiastic praise to Empire’s view that the film is too safe and emotionally muted to linger. Its treatment of identity also divides opinion: Collider reads a touching first-love story while noting that the LGBTQ+ subtext stops short of becoming explicit, whereas other reviews find the metaphor flimsy. ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 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. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-06-16/luca-review-pixar-disney) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/luca-1234967309/) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Rating B+. 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/luca-review-pixar-disney-plus-1234644627/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Rating 4/5. 17 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/luca-film-review-pixar-disney-plus-b940988.html) ## Little White Lies — Kambole Campbell Rating 3/4/3. 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/luca) ## The Guardian — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 20 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jun/20/luca-review-pixar-sea-monster-jacob-tremblay-disney) ## Radio Times — Patrick Cremona Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 June 2021. The critic finds the film a quaintly charming summer adventure. They praise its transport to a delightful corner of Italy. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/luca-review/) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/luca-review/5160578.article) ## Sight and Sound — BFI Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 17 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/luca-2021-enrico-casarosa-pixar-fish-out-water-summer-holiday) ## The AV Club — A.A. Dowd Rating B-. 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-little-mermaid-riff-luca-splashes-around-in-the-sha-1847111081?rev=1623859329637) ## Slant Magazine — Keith Watson Rating 2.5/4. 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/luca-review-pixar-jacob-tremblay/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 3/5. 13 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/luca-2021) ## Total Film — Jamie Graham Rating 3/5. 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/luca-review-for-pixar-it-all-feels-a-little-too-unimaginative/) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/luca-review-pixar-1234996669/) ## Vulture — Alison Willmore Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 17 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/luca-review-disney-pixar.html) ## Empire — Nick de Semlyen Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/luca/) ## /Film — Hoai-Tran Bui Rating 9.5/10. 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/581743/luca-review/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating A-. 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://collider.com/luca-review-pixar-disney-plus/) ## The Playlist — Drew Taylor Rating [A]. 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/luca-pixar-review-20210616/) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a36727913/luca-review-disney-plus-pixar/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/luca-film-review-pixar-jacob-tremblay-disney-plus/) ## Consequence — Clint Worthington Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2021/06/luca-review-pixar-movie/) ## Eye for Film — Amber Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 9 January 2022. 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. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/luca-2021-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson) ## Paste — Andy Crump Rating 6.3/10. 17 June 2021. Crump finds Luca charming but ultimately muddled and insubstantial. He praises its soft, distinctive animation and cultural influences, while faulting the rushed, unfocused storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/pixar/luca-review) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 3/5. 16 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/luca-review-minor-pixar-disney/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/luca.md