USA 2023
Opening June 22, 2023

Directed by: Peter Sohn
Writing credits: John Hoberg, Kat Likkel, Brenda Hsueh
Principal actors: Animation

“Elemental” means “basic” or “fundamental” and one can’t get more elementary than fire, water, air, and earth. These four groups live side by side, coping with each other in beautiful Element City. Ember is a beautiful fire girl, who falls in love with Wade, a man made of water. This is difficult. How can they hug each other, much less kiss? Ember’s father runs a corner fire store; he plans to retire and turn the shop over to his daughter. This is in question when Ember’s environment widens. She meets Wade’s large family. She also realizes that she is talented at working with glass; she can produce objects, including a glass wall. This talent prevents a catastrophe when a flood threatens not only the shop, but every fire inhabitant in the city.

Elemental is basically a typical boy-meets-girl story with the usual ups and downs, surrounded by excellent animation, unusual ideas, and appropriate music. Perhaps 15 minutes shorter would help avoid some repetition. The showing is preceeded by a short film written and directed by Bob Peterson: Carl’s Date. Here Carl’s dog helps him organize a new experience, namely a first date. Elemental is Pixar Animation Studio’s 27^th animated film. Both Elemental and Carl’s Date will entertain the whole family, six years and older. (Becky T.)