“Elio” follows an 11-year old boy who is mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador to the rest of the universe, as he forms new bonds with aliens while discovering who he is truly meant to be.
Fresh Premise in a Crowded Genre
The prime years of Pixar films may be past us. This is no “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo” or “Cars.” It’s not going to be a classic in the animation genre. Nonetheless, “Elio” stands out from the pack of current animated sequels and remakes as a truly original story.
Right from the start, “Elio” presents a unique idea – and stays true to it through its 99-minute runtime.
This originality is heightened by the relatable themes. Whether you’re an adult or kid, everyone can invest in the topics of self-identity and finding your purpose. Coming from the eyes of a child, “Elio” is able to explore these ideas to near perfection.
Still, “Elio” is a movie made for children. And they’ll most likely love it. It encourages them to think bigger and explore the unknown.
Playful, Emotional and Occasionally Uneven
“Elio” has a lot of fun moments within, but this excitement is wrapped inside of a serious outer layer. The film goes into the feelings of isolation and sadness – oftentimes interchanging between the dramatics and silliness extremely quickly.
This causes some issues within, as the tonal shifts don’t always feel natural.
“Elio” asks the question: are we alone? It takes this question in a traditional sci-fi route, but also shifts it into a coming-of-age drama. While some of the tonal changes feel sudden, these two genres blend together well.
Not only is the script well-executed, but so are the visuals. “Elio” brings otherworldly animation to the screen, with an alien world that is vibrant and colorful. Creativity is on full display through the universe itself and the characters within.
Yonas Kibreab (Elio) succeeds as the main character, alongside Zoe Saldaña (Olga) and Remy Edgerly (Glordon). Kibreab and Edgerly bring the likable nature of Elio and Glordon to life with charming and energetic delivery. Saldaña flourishes on an emotional level, with Olga and Elio’s connection proving to be the familial bond that ties the entire story together.
Inventive But Predictable
While “Elio” is as original as they come based on the idea alone, the execution is somewhat predictable. The film follows the typical “Pixar formula,” and it shows. There aren’t many surprises, which leads to a slightly forgettable outcome compared to classic animated features.
This leads into the movie’s biggest problem. It plays it too safe. The bright colors and universal settings will wow audiences, but not the story itself. It’s meaningful and positive, but it doesn’t do enough to fully escape the grasp of better films from the past.
“Elio” is good. And that’s good enough for a studio that desperately needs originality. It’s a hopeful and inspirational story that kids will love and adults can enjoy. This isn’t perfect, but it has all the out-of-this-world fun that a family movie requires.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
