2025 Summer Movie Season - Disney - Pixar's Elio: Review and Analysis

 

Cosmic Ray of Sunshine!!!!! Pixar's Interstellar Adventure Is Solid Notch In Studio's Belt!!!!

  Review By BJ Porter

Earth, meet your new hero! No, seriously.

The Story

Connection is an essential part of how we learn and thrive as a species. Doing so requires courage and commitment to open yourself up to new people and new ways of thinking. For young, bright-eyed Elio (Yonas Kibreab), he is fearless in that department…just not with actual people. Devoting the majority of his time to being in his own head instead of “being normal” and socializing with others his age, Elio seeks connection but in a different sense, as in not on this planet. As someone who is a firm believer in the existence of aliens, Elio is a little too obsessed with establishing a personal connection with visitors from the worlds beyond, much to the chagrin of his aunt and military analyst Olgo Solis (Zoe Saldaña). But after many failed attempts, Elio’s calls for connection finally get answered. After his latest call is intercepted, Elio is beamed up by the Communiverse, an intergalactic collective of extra-terrestrial species looking to learn more about the planet known as Earth, and take a wild guess who they assume is the planet’s ambassador. Now being put in the uncomfortable position of being the spokesperson of his home planet, Elio must navigate this new title and forge new friendships to stop what could be a large-scale galactic inconcursion and work to the best of his ability to be the representative of humanity that the universe needs.

Just 2 best friends enjoying time beyond the stars

The Review

 From the brilliant and talented minds of one of Disney’s most prestigious studios, Pixar prepares to deliver an out-of-this-world adventure with the most unlikely of heroes. Elio aims to bring the signature brand of heart, humor, action, and fun to an animated adventure that seeks to capture the hearts of everyone who has believed in what lies beyond the stars. After getting beamed up into this wild and crazy cosmic adventure, Elio delivers the studio's signature heart and soul in a more than serviceable package. Pixar has always relied on telling human stories within larger-than-life settings, featuring unique characters. Whether that's with toys, fish, or your emotions themselves, Pixar takes pride in delivering a storytelling experience that everyone can relate to, regardless of the time, place, or things they utilize to accomplish that. Elio isn't any different. The film, at its core, speaks on the importance of connection, but does it in a way that speaks to those who feel disconnected from those who don't share their views or appreciate their uniqueness. There is a lot to dissect when talking about the narrative nuances of the film, but I do want to highlight some of the performances. Yonas Kibreab as Elio is a delight from beginning to end. The character has this literal otherworldly quirk to him that makes him so much fun to watch as he stumbles trying to conform to a world he believes he can thrive in. Kibreab's chaotic aura that he brings.s to the character is equally as great as his emotional vulnerability that comes as a result of his isolation and loneliness. You feel sadness when he struggles to connect with people on earth, including his aunt, and feel immense jubilation when he finds community and belonging outside of his terrestrial setting. This makes Elio a character you want to root for as he works to find his place in the universe. His arc of understanding that he has to open himself up to others, not just outside of Earth, to discover he isn't as alone as he thought, is such a great message that was telegraphed very well. In addition to Kibreab, Remy Edgerly's Glordon may go down as one of the decade's best characters within Pixar. This character steals every scene he is in with top-notch comedic timing and unmatched chemistry with Kibreab's Elio. The bond they form allows them both to grow as characters and push each other to have the courage to confront the psychological obstacles they face throughout the film. Glordan elevated this movie in a way that made me smile from ear to ear. The supporting voice cast of Zoe Saldaña, Jameela Jamil, and Brad Garrett all bring great veteran energy to the animated ensemble, with Saldaña and Garrett bringing great life to their characters, giving full well-roundedness to their respective arcs. Saldaña's Olga learns to appreciate Elio's uniqueness and not look at the circumstances as a burden. In a way, she also feels disconnected, but in a different sense. 

The Gs are Forcin

While she understands the role she has taken in raising Elio, she never took the time to see things from his perspective or get to his level. This creates tension and further drives Elio away from her, which also feeds into her own sense of loneliness. It's when she finally makes the effort to truly "see" her nephew that they establish a greater understanding of one another that ultimately saves the day. As for Garrett, his performance as Lord Grigon is hilariously hammy but also touching once you get to the final act. He may look like an intimidating presence that thrives on fear and chaos. But in actuality, he is hesitant to show affection and vulnerability, given the reputation he has accumulated. It's when circumstances force him out of his comfort zone that we see him for what he truly is..a loving father devoted to protecting his son. Garrett really should be commended for giving such depth to this antagonistic figure and making him more than that. As I stated at the top, Elio is about connection at its core. The film's premise begs the question: "Are we alone in the universe?". Traditionally, it's easy to look at that statement and automatically apply it to the concept of life on other planets. While the film uses the alien encounter aesthetic, like other Pixar films of the past, it invites you to dig deeper. It can be difficult to open up to new people and ways of thinking when just leaning into your own understanding offers its own special type of bubble. Elio feels isolated on his own planet and feels like he can be himself in the communiverse because in the latter, he never has to conform to what others believe he should be. His actions are driven by fear and a genuine lack of effort to initiate connection on his own. Out in the communiverse, the vibe is completely different. The aliens accept him for what he is, creating this security blanket where he feels at "home". As the film progresses, our leading man is challenged in a way that pushes his arc forward. Elio's growth comes from putting in the effort to reach out and not retreat emotionally. As a result, he finds that more people are willing to connect and reassure him that he isn't alone. The film's 3rd act drives that home and makes a heartfelt story stick with you more. It's one of the things that allows the movie to stick the landing well, even if it had some turbulence during space flight. I will say from a critique standpoint, some things work against this movie, but at times it isn't the fault of the film itself. The film's pace is pretty fast, and it doesn't really give us time to sit or explore the characters or world more than we would like. I would have liked to have seen more of an expansive explanation with some characters to even sharpen the development they were receiving. Also, the film doesn't quite have the staying power of Pixar films of the past, despite doing all of the necessary things right. It's hard to build on such a treasured legacy and deliver top-tier cinematic showstoppers like Toy Story, Coco, Up, or Inside Out. However, Elio does fall into the category of good, but not enough to leave a lasting mark on the studio's storied history. This is in no way saying the movie is lower-tier Pixar. It's just the fact that the bar that the studio has set for itself and the industry makes any project looking to reach that bar a fool's errand at times. Regardless, these types of stories are needed, and it's nice to see that the investment in fresh ones is still being prioritized amid a bevy of sequels. All in all, Elio is a vibrant cosmic adventure that has its heart in the right place. The film sports Pixar's signature style of substance and nuance as the story told adds life to its world and characters despite some bumps that keep it from ascending higher within the studio's ranks. It is not easy to deliver a cinematic experience that can measure up to the juggernauts of the past, but that doesn't stop it from emotionally resonating with those who long to be reassured they live in a universe where they are heard, seen, and ultimately loved. 

 

Final Score Rating

A cosmic family adventure with a heartfelt message to those who want to be reassured that 
they can always find a connection as long as they have the courage to reach out.

Share this film with your handshake buddy.