In a world of seemingly constant live-action remakes, Disney Pixar’s Elio crash-lands from space in a move of defiance. In recent years, the beloved animation studio has struggled to recapture the glory of its 90s and 2000s classics like Toy Story and Monsters Inc., stories that continue to steal hearts and minds around the globe. Though they have seen box office success in recent years (last year, Inside Out 2 was dubbed the highest-grossing animated film of all time), the studio has struggled to find success in new stories, with originals like Elemental and Lightyear struggling to capture audiences. Enter Pixar’s latest effort, Elio, an intergalactic quest for belonging that is imbued with all of the heart and charm of Pixar’s most beloved titles. 

Elio asks the question: What if the thing you were searching for found you first? Struggling to come to terms with a recent loss, 11-year-old Elio Solis (Yonas Kibreab) is free-spirited and defiant, much to the dismay of his aunt (Zoe Saldaña). Feeling abandoned by the people of Earth, Elio believes that he will find a place to belong amongst the stars, and quite literally begs to get abducted by aliens. He gets his wish and is beamed to the Communiverse, an interplanetary oasis home to intelligent life from across the galaxy. His delight is short-lived, and Elio finds himself mistaken as the leader of his home planet (“Uh, Earth?”) and is tasked with solving a crisis of cosmic dimensions. What follows is not only a wondrous and funny space adventure, but a moving exploration of loneliness, grief and learning to embrace who we are.

Every minute of this film is wonderful. It’s packed full of likeable characters, namely the delightful Glordon, an adorable space worm who becomes fast friends with the protagonist Elio. The two become fast friends in a way that only childlike innocence can allow: it doesn’t matter that they are different species from different worlds that speak different languages. Elio and Glordon are both longing for someone to connect with, and when they find each other, that’s exactly what they do. Elio returns to an animation style reminiscent of Luca and Turning Red, and the pair have a wide-eyed, coming-of-age adventure together that plays out on screen through utterly captivating visuals. Beautifully scored by Rob Simonsen, each frame is colourful, playful and warm. It’s a space-buddy comedy that feels plucked from the depths of a child’s imagination in the very best way.

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Yonas Kibreab employs some impressive voice acting as Elio, as does Remy Edgerly (Glordon). The pair tackle the film’s comedic moments with expertise beyond their years, resulting in some truly funny one-liners that will bring chuckles out of both the adults and kids in the room. Brad Garrett is great as Glordon’s gruff and militarised dad, Lord Grigon, and Jameela Jamil brings a stoic charm to Ambassador Questa, an ethereal, stingray-esque leader whose character design is a personal favourite. Questa is one of many expertly crafted characters that Elio meets in the Communiverse, all of whom bolster the film’s impressive world-building. It’s this setting that gives Elio its fresh feeling, but it never feels (or looks) like too much, which might come as a surprise given that the film switched directors two years into production. 

Nonetheless, the final product carries a cohesive, original story that is a thankful step away from the world of sequels and rehashing of old IP, and feels like a true return to form for Pixar. Elio is ultimately a story about just how far we will go to belong, reminding us that sometimes, what we long for isn’t “up there” or beyond: it’s often right in front of us. We just have to let it in.

★★★★

In UK cinemas June 20th / Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil / Dir: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina / Disney Pixar Animation / PG

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