Pixar’s latest film, “Elemental,” had all the ingredients to be another groundbreaking success. Known for their ability to bring inanimate objects to life and create relatable worlds, Pixar took on the challenge of personifying the classical elements – earth, fire, water, and air. In this bustling city, these elemental beings live, work, and form relationships that mirror our own. The film delves into the metaphor of prejudice, with fire people portrayed as an oppressed underclass desperate to fit in.
However, despite the potential, “Elemental” suffered one of the worst opening weekends in Pixar’s history. While external factors like tepid reviews and the shift to Disney+ releases during the pandemic may have played a role, the success of other animated films suggests that families are returning to theaters. The question then becomes, why didn’t “Elemental” work?
Upon visiting “Element City,” the film’s setting, it becomes apparent why it fell short. The character development of Ember Lumen, a fire lady, and her romantic relationship with Wade Ripple, a water man, feels clichéd and predictable. Ember’s journey from a future bodega owner to aspiring artist is trite, while the fire and water families embody exaggerated stereotypes. The metaphorical elements are too on-the-nose, and the plot revolves around mundane issues like a building inspection, lacking the adventure typically associated with Disney films.
This issue of world-building is similar to Pixar’s “Cars” films, where sentient vehicles live in a society mirroring our own, despite the illogical need for human structures. While “Elemental” has moments of imaginative joy, it ultimately falls into a domestic dramedy that fails to captivate younger audiences.
Pixar’s most successful films with abstract characters, like “Inside Out” and “Soul,” connect with our human reality on a deeper level. Whether it’s exploring the emotions within us or a unique afterlife concept, these films offer profound insights into humanity. Even films like “Finding Nemo” and “WALL-E,” set in fantastical worlds, maintain connections to our reality, showcasing the interaction between humans and these imaginative beings.
While Pixar’s blob people have demonstrated complexity, “Elemental” missed the mark by failing to create a more relatable form. For future endeavors, let’s hope Pixar takes more care in building worlds that resonate with audiences and offer deeper insights into the human experience.
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