Disney and Pixar screened their latest computer-animated feature “Elemental” at the Cannes Film Festival this week and with early reviews in, the reaction isn’t looking great for what’s hoped to be a return to form for Pixar.
The story unfolds in Element City, where a host of elements (air, earth, water and fire) live and work. Ember is a quick-witted, fiery woman who has always stayed close to home in Firetown.
She finally ventures out of her comfort zone to explore and meets a go-with-the-flow guy named Wade. The pair are about to discover something elemental: How much they actually have in common.
Early reviews for the film have been mixed, resulting in a 57% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes thus far – that’s the second lowest score for a Pixar film to date behind only “Cars 2” at 40%.
However, that score is also with only seven reviews counted thus far and will almost certainly shift once more regular screenings take place. Here’s a sampling of reviews thus far:
“I reckon there are more ideas per second of screentime in ‘Elemental’ than any other Pixar movie to date. So why does this imagination-teasing opposites-attract rom-com feel like a misfire?” – Peter DeBruge, Variety
“The elements all fit perfectly into place – so much so that the creative flames are doused, and we’re left without much of an impression.” – Jordan Mintzer, Hollywood Reporter
“As conflicted as they come: a heavy-handed, mixed-bag immigrant metaphor punctuated by a genuinely moving romance. It gets frequently lost down the rabbit hole of its own conceptual details but yields occasionally stunning images and thoughtful aesthetics” – Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire
“While unlikely to feature on many people’s favourite Pixar lists, Elemental brings with it the satisfying creak of a ship being righted. 3/5” – Robbie Collin, The Telegraph
“For all Elemental’s many charms, this nonsensical film simply doesn’t cut the mustard. 2/5” – Jo-Ann Titmarsh, London Evening Standard
The film is currently tracking for a $40 million opening weekend – on par with Pixar’s lowest of “The Good Dinosaur” ($35 million) and “Onward” ($39 million).
“Elemental” arrives in cinemas on June 16th.
