Elemental (English) Review {3.0/5} & Review Rating
ELEMENTAL is the story of two opposite individuals falling in love. Bernie (Ronnie del Carmen) and Cinder (Shila Ommi) are fire elements who migrate from Fire Land to Element City. They face xenophobia as soon as they enter the city. Finally, they are able to find a home in the Fire Town area. There, they start a shop named Fireplace, a convenience shop for Fire residents. They give birth to a daughter, who they name Ember (Leah Lewis). She grows up and dreams of owning the shop someday after Bernie retires. However, she has a bad temper that prevents her from becoming an ideal shop owner. One day, she gets so angry with nagging customers that she heads to the basement to have an outburst. While doing so, she ends up bursting the pipes. A city inspector, Wade (Mamoudou Athie), ends up getting sucked into the pipeline and enter the basement. Wade files a complaint against faulty pipeline in the shop. Ember tries to stop him after Wade tells her that the authorities might shut Fireplace if they find violations. Wade decides to help her when he learns that Bernie built this shop brick-by-brick. Wade introduces Ember to his boss, Gale (Wendi McLendon-Covey). Gale informs Ember that all water connection has been stopped in Fire Town and hence, the leaking of water in her shop is a matter of concern. She assures Ember that if the latter and Wade are able to find the source of the leak by Friday, the violations will be forgotten. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
Peter Sohn, John Hoberg, Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh’s story is a bit clichéd but the water and fire elements give a nice touch. John Hoberg, Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh’s screenplay is effective. The writers pepper the narrative with very entertaining and moving scenes. At the same time, they make an important comment on xenophobia and problems faced by immigrants when they move and settle in foreign lands. The dialogues are simple and funny.
Peter Sohn’s direction is uncomplicated. He tells a great story with sincerity. He adds a lot of creativity and goes all out while using the fire and water elements. The Mexican Wave scene, for instance, is a masterstroke. He also scores with the romantic scenes. The Vivisteria Tree sequence especially will leave viewers teary-eyed.
On the flipside, one expects a lot more thrill and excitement especially when the build up such around the canal. Sadly, this bit is forgotten in the end and one doesn’t get to know what happened to it. The scene where Wade gives a speech in the end is a lovely idea but seems very unconvincing. Lastly, the buzz around the film is limited.
The voiceovers are quite good by Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie. Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi and Wendi McLendon-Covey also contribute well with their respective voiceovers.
Thomas Newman’s music has an Indian touch and hence, is quite catchy. As for the songs, ‘Steal The Show’ indeed steals the show. David Bianchi and Jean-Claude Kalache’s cinematography is appropriate. Don Shank’s production design is rich and novel. The animation, as expected, is top-class. Stephen Schaffer’s editing is fair.
On the whole, ELEMENTAL is a touching saga that works due to its relatable plot, music, comment on xenophobia and the lovely romantic moments.
