Film Review: Latest Disney-Pixar collab is an ‘absolute delight’

Since the landmark merger between Disney and Pixar in 2006, the two animation powerhouses have consistently produced movies that dominate the box office. Individually, both studios have created some of the most beloved animated films in cinematic history, but their collaboration has truly redefined the animation industry.

As of two years ago, their collective box office revenue exceeded a staggering $15 billion—a number that has since witnessed remarkable growth.

Just last year, the release of Inside Out 2 alone grossed an impressive $1 billion worldwide.

This week sees the arrival of Elio, the latest film from the Disney-Pixar collaboration.

Elio Solis (Yonas Kibreab) is an eleven-year-old orphan living with his aunt, Major Olga Solis (Zoë Saldaña), on a military base. Olga was a candidate for an astronaut programme but pulled out to care for Elio. She had an impressive job, she is responsible for detecting space debris and issuing warnings to satellites when they need to manoeuvre to avoid it.

This job fascinates Elio, who is obsessed with space and aliens, but he struggles to adjust to life without his parents and acts out, making things difficult for Olga.

Elio is so obsessed with aliens that he attempts to contact them. He spends hours with a radio, searching for alien frequencies, and even writes a large sign in the sand that says, “Aliens, come get me.”

When Elio overhears a conversation, he thinks he hears Olga saying that she doesn’t want him around, so he redoubles his efforts to get to space.It turns out that sometimes dreams do come true.

Aliens receive his message and zap Elio into space, taking him to the Communiverse space station.There, they explain that he is a candidate to become a universal ambassador. The aliens mistakenly believe that Elio is the leader of Earth.

They have no idea that Elio is just a kid, and Elio decides not to enlighten them.The aliens send a clone to Earth to distract the humans, giving Elio time to secure a position as an ambassador. To do so, he must negotiate peace with the warmongering Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett) but, as a kid, he isn’t equipped.

Grigon’s son, Glordon (Remy Edgerly), yearns for a peaceful life rather than a warrior’s path.

With Elio’s friendship, Gordon may achieve that dream, but Elio first needs to prove his leadership skills to aliens, which isn’t so easy when you are just 11.

Elio looks fantastic. Kids will adore the design and colour of the Communiverse, and the aliens are so imaginatively conceived that young ones will get a sugar rush just from watching.

The story itself conveys strong messages about family, self-acceptance, and finding one’s tribe – valuable lessons for both young and old.

It’s a little formulaic, but that’s fine; the sweetness of the story and visuals make up for any shortcomings. Warm, zany, and full of light, Elio is an absolute delight.

Elio, in cinemas, June 20, cert G. ****