‘Elio’ reaches for the stars, but settles in the orbit
Disney Pixar’s “Elio” opens up with the potential of the universe. Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) is abducted by aliens because the aliens think he is Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy.
It’s a classic Pixar setup. There are plenty of quirky characters, including Elio himself, and the film is an emotionally charged story. It’s colorful and visually whimsical, enough to keep the audience stimulated throughout the film. It’s everything you would expect in fantasy outer space.
It follows 11-year-old Elio Solis, who dreams of reaching out to the world beyond where he stands, especially after losing his parents. His aunt Olga (voiced by Zoe Saldaña) does her best to take care of him, but is ill-equipped to break through the walls of a heartbroken orphan, even if said orphan thinks she’s the coolest for being the head of a top-secret interplanetary contact project.
Olga is competent at her job and very loving to Elio, but she needs to become the presence he truly needs. If she’s having a hard time speaking his language, maybe she needs to master his made-up one called “Elio-ese.”
When Elio is beamed into space by mistake and is dropped into the Communiverse, a sort of intergalactic United Nations, he is thrust into an alien society that expects him to speak for all of Earth … and then become its leader. What follows is a series of encounters with bizarre but welcoming alien species.
Visually imaginative, but …
Through this journey where he goes off to defend the universe from destruction, Elio gains self-confidence.
Visually, “Elio” is abundant with imaginative, out-of-this-world landscapes, expressive character animation, and gooey luminescence. The creature designs are especially delightful, and the Communiverse is rendered with vibrant, otherworldly charm.
But narratively, the film often feels like it’s skimming the surface. It leans heavily on familiar tropes: the misunderstood kid, the distant-but-loving adult, and an identity crisis. There’s a lot of warmth and humor to go around to make the audience laugh and feel something, too. What it lacks is the layered complexity that made films such as “Inside Out,” “Coco,” or “Toy Story 4” emotionally resonant.
Elio’s relationship with his aunt and his own sense of being part of something bigger, both on Earth and beyond it, are the driving force of the film. He finds an ally in Glordon (voiced by Remy Edgerly), and their connection teaches him empathy and the value of friendship. But somehow, you’re left feeling that this could’ve been explored further.
However, what “Elio” does best is resonate with much younger audiences, especially those who love space and are still trying to find their spot in it. It’s charming and really has a lot of heart. It is a sweet story, but one that doesn’t quite reach the stars.
