Pixar’s ‘Elemental’ Combines Fire and Water for Light Escapism

Alci Rengifo

Pixar’s “Elemental” has all of the expected ingredients that define the formula of the studio’s major animation releases. At its best these standard devices are elevated to great heights. This small charmer is more in line with a quick consumption early summer release. It wears its heart on its sleeve, doesn’t make much of an effort in terms of dramatic developments, and is more about the warmhearted antics. Have we come to expect too much from this animation powerhouse? Pixar has released so many award-winning notable films that we’re almost disappointed to see them make a basic one, fit for putting on as a distraction for the kids on Disney+. This doesn’t take away from its merits. With cornball cheer it delivers a worthy message.

The setting is goofy even for Pixar. Elemental City is the place. It’s a fantastical metropolis populated by the elements. Gelatinous “water people” live in the ritzier parts of town with pristine streets and specially-designed monorails. Pushed into “Firetown” are the others, meaning communities descended from immigrants, and tending to be made of fire. This is where we meet Ember Lumen (Leah Lewis), daughter of Útrí dár ì Bùrdì aka Bernie (Ronnie Del Carmen) and Fâsh ì Síddèr aka Cinder (Shila Ommi). They were made to take on Anglicized names upon arriving at Elemental City from their home country. Bernie’s big dream to open a store has been achieved and now that Ember is grown, he expects her to take over. When a leak flooding their basement becomes a big issue, a water person inspector, Wade (Mamoudou Athie) splashes in and makes a huge mess, taking down notable citations that could shut the place down. Desperate to save the family business, Ember chases him down and pleads her case, which moves Wade and also initiates a romantic spark. But can fire and water mix?

You can see where “Elemental” is going with its clear allegory about interracial romance. Director Peter Sohn and writers John Hoberg, Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh just don’t give the premise the same depths as recent, excellent titles like “Soul” and “Turning Red.” They’re aiming for safer clichés that can still be entertaining. How Elemental City works is not explored in any detailed way, even if it’s designed with the impressive image we expect from a renowned studio. It all boils down to Bernie being extremely prejudiced against the water people because of how they treated fire immigrants. The scene evoking Ellis Island at the beginning is genuinely moving, with important reflections on how assimilation actually works and is imposed on newcomers. Yet the writing is also odd in its imagining of immigrant groups, giving out names and accents meant to evoke everything from India to Iran. By turning them into fire, the filmmakers buy ironically enough into stereotypes themselves. The water people seem to have no religious beliefs, while Bernie prays like a Muslim to some fiery deity. 

The treatment of the water people does feature some moments of strong satire. When Ember meets Wade’s family, they are all very WASP and upper class, with hobbies like painting. They’re also extremely nice and aloof. But the plot makes it a bit too easy for them to accept Ember, with Wade’s society mom instantly being smitten. Why does Bernie have to be the raging, close-minded roadblock? The same goes for Cinder, who reads romantic fortunes and can smell love in the air, literally. Such moments are balanced out with good gags that land, like Wade trying Bernie’s spicy food at the shop. The pair also resolves the issue of physical contact with a scene that’s genuinely touching. Admirably the writers don’t turn Ember into a damsel in distress. Wade is the one constantly crying and in need of rescuing. Pushing back against ossified notions of masculinity nearly covers over the other head-scratchers. Class and how the water people live next to the fire people is also undercooked. Imagine if Ember had fallen for a poor water guy. Now that would pose some real challenges.

“Elemental” is littered with many enticing images, including other members of the city’s community who seem to be potatoes and vegetables. At a sports arena Ember has to be extremely cautious while passing through a crowd of water people fans, to then argue with a rude government bureaucrat that is a cloud. The other side communities get little exposure in the plot. Since the relationship between Ember and Wade seems to settle quite easily, the story is also missing a proper rising of stakes. Action-wise the only real development involves plugging a leak. Still, the movie has so much energy and charming moments that these are qualms that don’t get in the way of having a good time. The voice cast all bring spirited performances to their roles. Acceptance is also never a worn out subject, even more so in these times. The idea that a water guy and a fire girl can be together seems impossible in an animated movie, but that’s how it feels like in closed off minds in the real world. “Elemental” will prove more entertaining for younger audience members, while leaving them with good ideas to consider.

“Elemental” releases June 16 in theaters nationwide.