Elio – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Elio – A Starscape of Friendship and Home

From realism to imagination, the wonder of films can take you to many places.  For some, that escape is a draw of the familiar, for others it is the creative vision of the filmmakers.  No matter what it is, you hope there will be some kind of magic on the big screen.  In this review, I look at the latest film from Pixar.  Within a tale about family and space, it becomes a journey of potential.  Even when clichés are obvious, Elio is a wonderous adventure that shows that a boy will find his destination …  beyond the stars.

When tragedy and innocence collide, one boy will escape into a cosmic adventure that will lead to a discovery of the true meaning of home.  Every film you watch, no matter the genre or adaptation, the level of worth becomes a point of an individual’s perspective.  For all the indifference that may happen, when you hear the word Pixar, there is a level of gravitas that you expect.  From Toy Story to Up, there is a heighten awareness that you will be seeing something great.  The stellar catalog is vast, so when you hear a new film is coming from them … you jump with certain glee.  With this entry, it is a mixed bag of good ideas, delightful purpose and lost potential.  In the beginning, we are introduced to Elio (voiced: Yonas Kibreab), a young boy who has experienced a tragedy and has been adopted by his aunt, Olga (voiced: Zoe Saldana).  From here, we are thrust through cheesy comedic sequences, general dialogue and standard world-building.  When everything comes to head in their relationship, Elio is forced to go to summer camp.  Once at camp (and through some convenient storytelling moments), he is taken away from Planet Earth by an unknown entity, that brings him to the farthest reaches of space.  Once Elio comes into contact with these alien creatures (view the cast on the film’s IMdb page – link), it becomes a whirlwind of creative CGI, slapstick and physical humor within subtle characterization.  This change of scenery helps lift the story from its general foundation through a contrast that puts a mirror on Elio and his troubled history.  The thematic appeals of family, acceptance and individualism become a spark of originality, providing some form of escape against the clichés masked within the Sci-Fi and coming-of-age tropes.  It is here that the emotional fervor begins to shine … especially when Elio makes a friend.

With Elio navigating the unknown, it leads him to form a unique friendship with the opposing factions son, Glordon (voiced: Remy Edgerly).  It is in this childhood like bond that layers of humanistic overtures bridge the gap of realism and fantasy.  As the two weave through the dynamics of family and politics, it catalyzes the journey into an emotional ride … lifting past all the expected tropes into a third act of suspense, action and wholesome thrills.  With everything coming back around for Elio, it leads to that heartfelt climax and epilogue.  Elio is a journey of potential and hopeful charms.  If you are a fan of Pixar, animation or space adventures, this is one for you.  For everyone else, if you are looking for a film for the whole family, you will find a good time at the theaters with this one.

Full Score – 3 out of 5 (Theater Discount)