'Elio' Doesn't Abduct Anything Original But Still Works
To infinity and beyond! Elio is not a stinker like Lightyear, nor is it a home run. It's simply enjoyable. It's nothing that goes beyond the conventions of the typical family film. All the elements from every other kid's film are there. There is the protagonist, who is searching for their place in the world, as well as comedy, family issues, a physically imposing antagonist, and lots of flashing lights. Yet even with its familiarity, the movie is mostly effective.
The story begins immediately in a familiar setting. Elio (Yonas Kibreab) attends a space exhibit with his Aunt, Olga (Zoe Saldaña). As Olga goes through the menu in the restaurant, Elio hides under the table. We find out from Olga that Elio's parents are dead, and he's living with her. They don't exactly get along. Olga can't replace Elio’s parents. She tries to be the best guardian she can be, but it isn't easy. As Elio explores the space exhibit, he runs across a dark room that features a 3D video of space, leaving Elio so enamored that he's brought to tears. Elio has found his calling. Therefore, he tries to get himself abducted by aliens, as that's where he feels he belongs.
As a very convenient plot device would have it, Olga works for the military in a branch that covers space exploration. Aliens contact Olga's branch, requesting the leader of Earth. Getting his wish, Elio is abducted by the aliens, who end up befriending him, forming a bond that he couldn't find at home. One particular friend that Elio makes is Glordon (Remy Edgerly), the son of Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett), a tyrant who seeks to dominate the Communiverse, the galaxy in which our alien inhabitants reside. Both Elio and Glordon share a similarity despite being different species. A feeling of abandonment. Although Glordon's father is alive, he's neglectful toward his child. Neither feels they have the warm embrace of a loving guardian. However, in Elio's case, he's not giving his aunt much of a chance. For a child in his situation, who can blame him?
The angle of the deceased parents is overplayed in films. Almost every kids’ film either has dead parents, or parents who don't understand their child, so the kid runs away to find their true calling. The relationship between Elio and Glordon is no different from the bond between Hiccup and Toothless or any other animated film over the past few decades. These screenwriting devices are used continually because they're easy and they work. I might notice the similarities between films, but most of the target audience's parents won't.
The film hits all the emotional beats at the right moments. In grand Pixar style, the ending is supposed to make you cry. Yet it lacks the existentialism something like Toy Story 3's ending had, rendering Elio's final moments as something more generic. If you have half a brain, you're going to predict the final lines of the ending before the characters can finish saying theirs.
The movie is the classic story of a kid discovering where their home really is by venturing out to a bigger world. It's the classic love conquers all theme that will likely resonate with most moviegoers. For the last few Pixar outings, this is one of the better ones, but by a slim margin. It's not forgettable like Luca or Elemental, but it's also not as good as Inside Out 2. It's more of a middle child who won't likely be remembered.
Elio is a crowd-pleaser. It has good chuckles, a likable cast, and genuine sentimentality. The movie may employ similar techniques to those used in other animated films. However, it doesn't detract from the genuine heart the film has. The movie does a great job of capturing the behavior of a little kid. Elio is destructive. He can't conceive the fact that alien abduction is dangerous, capturing how kids are reckless and full of hope. The bond between Olga and Elio is believable and isn't played out in a slapstick manner. Several strengths of Elio outweigh its weaknesses. Ironically, its flaws are what also give the film its high points. Elio looks the same as every other animated film; the gags are played the same, and the ending is the same. Yet the formula is just barely mixed up enough to deliver an enjoyable flick.
