In the first five minutes of Disney-Pixar’s space-themed film “Elio” about a solitary young boy yearning to fit in, I questioned if this would rank among their finest productions. The story begins with a poignant, tear-jerking introduction that captivated me right away. The protagonist’s emotional journey drew me in immediately. The film also incorporates themes inspired by Carl Sagan and the Voyager Golden Record, symbolizing humanity’s message of hope to the universe. However, if I had high expectations for a masterpiece, I would have been let down. Instead, I learned to appreciate “Elio” for what it truly is: a touching, heartwarming movie that is consistently good but never exceptional.
The main issue with Elio is its puzzling aspect – the character designs, whether human or alien, resemble those from a low-budget Pixar film from 15 years ago. This childish animation style is particularly disappointing given that the rest of Elio appears very well-made. This is especially evident in the first five minutes which present the Golden Record. However, it’s surprising and unacceptable that in the year 2025, a Pixar production would resemble a movie released in 2010.
The movie’s duration of one hour and thirty minutes is oddly compact yet extended. It begins at a snail’s pace, dragging before reaching its main storyline and conflict, but once it does, the character development of Elio seems hurried. Ideally, I’d prefer the initial 45 minutes to be shortened to around 15-20 minutes, while the final 45 minutes (which are the strongest) were expanded to approximately 90 minutes.
In a Pixar film set in space titled Elio, one wouldn’t anticipate characters or humor that are as ordinary or predictable as they appear to be. While there are moments when the movie takes on a horror-parody tone, which is amusing, the majority of its humor seems more clever or adorable than genuinely funny. The film’s cosmic settings and alien inhabitants seem somewhat familiar and fail to deliver the creative flair typically associated with Pixar productions.
The main character, Elio, interacts with a variety of aliens at Communiverse, an interplanetary organization’s home. Some of these aliens are innovative and enjoyable, but many feel overly cliché. Unfortunately, the Communiverse and its inhabitants brought to mind the Quantum Realm from Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, a comparison that I found less than flattering, given my preference for originality in Pixar movies. Despite my appreciation for the latter film, I expect more from Pixar when it comes to delivering something fresh and unexpected.
In the movie, there’s an odd inconsistency regarding Elio’s age. While we’re led to believe he’s around 11 or 12 because he attends middle school, his behavior and maturity level often suggest he’s more like 7 or 8. Initially, it seems this could be a deliberate portrayal of maturity, but when Elio interacts with other children, especially Glordon, the age discrepancy becomes even more noticeable. It’s not a major issue, but it certainly raises some eyebrows.
Although Elio may have some flaws that make it less than exceptional, there are still many reasons why it’s truly commendable. For instance, this film manages to deliver the powerful emotional impact that Pixar is known for. Despite being somewhat predictable at times, when it follows a familiar path, the movie remains impactful. One particularly touching scene might prompt many adults to claim their allergies are acting up.
The cast is exceptionally impressive. Zoe Saldaña plays Aunt Olga with a finesse that’s no less than expected. She portrays the woman who temporarily abandoned her dreams to care for her peculiar, melancholic nephew. Remy Edgerly, playing Glordon, brings an enchanting charm to the role, as does Yonas Kibreab, the film’s leading character. He imbues “Earth’s leader” with the perfect amount of energy the story demands. Interestingly, he showcases this energy in two distinct manners. Lastly, Brad Garrett delivers a standout performance as the malevolent Lord Grigon, Glordon’s conqueror father. He embodies this complex, multi-dimensional character brilliantly, making him my favorite among all performances.
The story, albeit seeming a bit incomplete with some missing parts that could add complexity, is thrilling and coherent. It offers plenty of chances for Elio to enjoy his interstellar expedition. It’s a voyage that turns out to be much riskier than the young boy who dreamt of being abducted ever dared to envision.
As a movie aficionado, I can’t help but express my longing for “Elio” to truly live up to its initial promise. Throughout the film, moments hinted at the potential for it to reach those lofty heights, only for me to be left wishing and hoping. Yet, knowing that it ultimately doesn’t quite attain greatness, I still find myself appreciating “Elio” for what it does achieve. It’s a charming, heartfelt little movie with an abundance of emotion. And even though the cinematic journey it offers may not be the grandest, spending a night at the movies embarking on such a voyage through the cosmos still feels like a wonderful experience to me.
Elio ⭐ (3.5 of 5)
Elio crash lands in theaters on June 20, 2025.
Mikey Walsh serves as a staff writer for TopMob, with a particular enthusiasm for Lord Grigon. He can be found on Bluesky @burgermike, and he’s also active in any discussions where the Targaryen kings are being ranked.
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2025-06-17 19:05