Rating: PG | Runtime: 101 minutes
Release Date: June 16th, 2023 (USA)
Studio: Pixar Animation Studios / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Director(s): Peter Sohn
Writer(s): John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh / Peter Sohn and John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh (story)

An act of God? Or an act of “Clod”?

Baby’s first immigrant story and interracial relationship courtesy of … Disney/Pixar? I jest because, honestly, Elemental is cute and does work on that social level.

I love the idea of second generation immigrants learning to understand that their parents sacrificed everything for them rather than themselves. So, you’re not obligated to sacrifice your own happiness for what you think theirs is. Their happiness is yours—no matter what you decide in life or love (for the most part considering bigotry and prejudice exist in all cultures, but you can’t expect one film to deal with all the world’s ills in one fell swoop).

Great voice cast. I like that it’s not just about race (“no fire allowed”), but also disability (Element City is not fire accessible). And while it’s a nice commentary on America’s overt racism, give Peter Sohn and the other filmmakers credit for calling out this country’s casual racism too (“You speak so well” and “Your food is too spicy”).

Hopefully this can prove a nice conversation starter for parents to teach their kids about empathy and equality. The fact conservatives dismissed it as “woke propaganda” proves it will since that’s exactly what makes them so afraid.

---

A scene from ELEMENTAL; courtesy of Disney/Pixar.