A heartwarming tale of found friendship, acceptance and finding one's place in the world.
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From the filmmakers of Disney and Pixar’s Coco (2017) and Turning Red (2022), comes and exciting new original of cosmic scale, Disney and Pixar’s Elio. Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina, the film features the voices of Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil, Shirley Henderson, Brendan Hunt, and more.
Disney and Pixar’s Elio centers on Elio Solis (Kibreab), an eleven-year-old boy who unexpectedly becomes Earth’s intergalactic ambassador after aliens beam him up to the Communiverse (an interplanetary organisation). Orphaned and living with his aunt Olga (Saldaña), Elio is more than stoked to be amongst the aliens because he feels misunderstood and unwanted on Earth.
Desperate to secure his place in the Communiverse, he volunteers to reason with the warlord Grigon who threatens to destroy it. It’s no wonder because the Communiverse is abundant with dazzling vibrant colours and welcoming alien lifeforms that the wide-eyed Elio feels like he’s finally found a place he can belong. There’s no way anyone is going to take that away from him now.
During his mission, he inadvertently meets a friendly worm-like alien Glordon (Edgerly) with issues of his own. Turns out Glordon is Grigon’s son and is destined to join his father in his tyrannous rule of the galaxies. He has a carapace equipped with top grade artillery waiting to be adorned but Glordon is far from interested to be something he’s not. Like Elio, he struggles with bonding with those around him. The pair soon become fast friends as they navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions.
The sci-fi adventure may be the perfect bright and sprightly kind of movie that best appeals to children but in typical Pixar fashion, is still filled with deep and heavy messaging that audience of all ages can resonate with and learn from – exploring themes of loss and the significance of support systems in navigating difficult emotions. More than once the phrase “you are not alone” is said to strongly drive the message through, in case it gets lost in all the other-worldly wonderment. Sweet Elio will break your heart but fret not, for dear Glordon will mend you. Together, they teach us the importance of friendship, showing kindness, and embracing your uniqueness.
Disney and Pixar’s Elio is a heartwarming tale of found friendship, acceptance and finding one's place in the world. The whole "aliens exist / we are not alone in this galaxy" trope is nothing new but definitely an interesting angle for Pixar to develop a full blown movie to teach us a lesson or two about belonging. It makes a strong argument for the importance and necessity of original stories in a time of existing IP dominance. Experience it in cinemas with family and friends and we promise everyone will have a good time. Okay, bye, love you!
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