“Elementary”, the love story between fire and water marks the return of a great Pixar

Long considered the creme de la creme of animation, Pixar has alternated in recent years between the good and the less good. From the sublime coconut in 2017, the studio bought by Disney even saw three of its films deprived of cinema releases (Drunk, Luke, Red alert) before signing an intergalactic failure with Buzz Lightning in 2022. Propelled into the limelight as the closing film of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, Elementary is therefore particularly awaited at the turn before its theatrical release on June 16, 2023.

The story takes place in Element City, a city where characters embodying fire, water, earth and air coexist, despite certain natural incompatibilities. Flam, a young woman with a fiery temperament, works at her parents’ shop. While her father wants to retire and pass the torch to her, she meets Flack, an “aquatic” boy. A connection is then established between the two antagonistic elements, who will quickly develop feelings for each other.

A great first love story

Renowned for his masterpieces like Toy Story, The world of Nemo Or Ratatouille, Pixar had so far mainly explored the themes of friendship and family. Aside from the platonic romance between the two robots in Wall-E, love had never been so much at the heart of the plot in the 26 previous feature films from the American studio. The relationship between Flam, impulsive and angry, and Flack, sentimental and sensitive, makes both waves and sparks, and we have fun observing the attitudes and movements of the two heroes to never come into direct contact.

In this futuristic city reminiscent like two drops of water the megalopolis of zootopia, Pixar once again shows all its know-how in terms of animation. Between dazzling colors and light effects, the staging of the various elements is teeming with visual details – including many references to other films in the franchise – but also sound. The remarkably rhythmic music of composer Thomas Newman (Finding Dory, 007: Skyfall…) breathes a beautiful energy into the film, which is far from always the case in Pixar.

Pixar-style double reading

Smart and modern, Elementary takes up the recipe that made the success of its elders: a story within the reach of children with deeper messages in the background, intended to reach adults. This feature film by Peter Sohn (Arlo’s Journey) humorously integrates the famous “double reading” through mischievously naughty dialogues: the “you are hot” from Flack to Flam and the session “stripping” earthy characters will make adults smile… and go unnoticed by children.

The Korean-born director also injected some of his personal story into his film to convey a message of universal values: “JI want to show that it is possible to make elements that have very different origins and characteristics live in harmony”. explains Peter Sohn to franceinfo. Without reaching the level of emotion of Vice versa despite an undeniable family resemblance, Elementary visually enchants and seduces with its elegant simplicity. And marks the great return of Pixar to the front of the animation scene.

The sheet

Gender : animation, comedy, family
Director: Peter Sohn
French voice: Adele Exarchopoulos, Vincent Lacoste
Country : UNITED STATES
Duration : 1h42
Exit : June 21, 2023
Distributer : The Walt Disney Company

Summary: In the city of Element City, fire, water, earth and air live in the most perfect harmony. This is where Flam resides, an intrepid and quick-witted young woman with a strong character, and Flack, a sentimental and amusing boy, rather a follower at heart. Their friendship challenges Flam’s beliefs about the world they live in…