Elio Review: Pixar’s Most Beautiful and Original Film to Date!

Have you ever wondered if there is something beyond the world we know? Is there life out there on another planet or a distant galaxy waiting to be discovered? The idea that life exists outside of Earth is not a new concept. Astronomers have been working for centuries looking for these answers. However, why are we searching for other lifeforms? Is it because we wish to be the first to discover something new?

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Elio, Pixar’s newest original film, gets to the root of these questions, landing on the deeper reason we keep searching. We all find comfort in knowing we are not alone. Where sequels and live-action films have been the main focus of Disney in the past years, Elio is a fantastical and exceptionally charming film about a young boy in his quest to find community and connection in a world where he feels most alone. It is one of the biggest surprises this year and will land a spot in Pixar’s top lineup this decade.

Elio Solís is an eleven year old boy who feels lost in his own life. He is taken in by his aunt Olga after the death of his parents, who were the only two people who understood him. In his feelings of loneliness and isolation Elio finds solace in space exploration and develops a strong interest in life outside of Earth. After calling out to them, Elio is whisked away by alien lifeforms where he is given the biggest task of all, save the Communiverse from the evil Lord Grigon in exchange for becoming a permanent member of the Communiverse.

To fulfil his dream of living among the stars on a different planet, Elio goes on an adventure of epic proportions to save Communiverse and find his place in the outer-world. Pixar has developed a beautiful story where for the first time in recent memory, a wild and spirited young boy gets to be the hero of the story. In a world where young boys are constantly told to settle down and tone down their eccentric behavior, Elio shows us that allowing young boys to bask in their wild and creative nature at a young age is a light that should not be dimmed. The film is able to show young boys that masking their spark will make the world less bright and allowing them to engage in their spirited nature and make their own mistakes is what will allow them to grow and find their own uniqueness.

Elio hits a perfect balance that Disney has struggled with for years. Although they can be beautiful, Disney and Pixar have been creating films with philosophical ideas that have been able to hit adults so deeply while mostly allowing children to look at the funny characters and be entertained by a simple story on the surface. Where Elio separates itself from other recent Pixar films is in its ability to remain a children’s film through and through while providing easy to understand messages and themes for children that will hit adults just as deeply.

The film strives to let children know that sometimes you may feel lonely and misunderstood. That “unique” may feel like being alone sometimes but there will always be connections to find. One doesn’t have to look to another galaxy to find it. This is a message that Elio presents seamlessly to children in a time when they need it most while also touching adults with its themes of loving your child’s spark even if you don’t always understand them.

Along with its touching ideas, Elio is a whimsically crafted adventure with some of the most gorgeous shots and scenes Pixar has achieved. In the way it colors outer space and the world among the stars, the film also achieves a level of beauty in its animation of Earth and the world Elio finds himself “stuck” in. Although it may follow a familiar barebone Disney structure, it is always a surprise where the film is headed and what Elio will face next.

Just like Elio’s wild and unpredictable nature, the film moves in a way that mirrors his constant curiosity and interest in the unknown. Elio is one of Pixar’s most beautiful and original films to date. Although it has been Pixar’s lowest box office debuts to date, it is without question that this film as of now is a hidden gem that will hopefully reach a broader audience the more that it is talked about.

It is a film that hits unexpected highs throughout, leaving audiences with the question as to if there really is life elsewhere but until we find it, we can at least all be “alone” on Earth together.

‘Elio’ Rating – 4/5