On Thursday evening, June 8, 2023, an amazing thing happened for my family of four. We all managed to clear our schedules and enjoy a film together. Something that hasn’t happened in quite a while, since our daughters are young adults. Even more amazing is that we were excited to see the press screening of Elemental, the new Disney & Pixar animated film coming to theaters this Friday, June 16, 2023.
Elemental in Theaters in Real D -3D June 16, 2023!
I received complimentary tickets to the press screening of this film as a member of The Music City Film Critics Association. All opinions are my own. I received Disney & Pixar press materials included in today's post. Thank you.
About Elemental:
Disney & Pixar/Directed by: Peter Sohn/Run Time:1 hr. 42 mins./Genre: Animation/Comedy /Rating: PG-13
“Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” is an all-new, original feature film set in Element City, where Fire-, Water-, Earth- and Air-residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in.
Directed by Peter Sohn, produced by Denise Ream, p.g.a., and executive produced by Pete Docter, “Elemental” features a screenplay by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh with story by Sohn, Hoberg & Likkel and Hsueh. The film’s original score was composed and conducted by Thomas Newman.”
Meet Ember:
The voice cast includes Leah Lewis as the fiery Ember; Mamoudou Athie as the water-guy Wade.
Meet Wade:
Ronnie del Carmen as Ember’s soon-to-be retired dad, Bernie; Shila Ommi as Ember’s love-seeking mom, Cinder, Wendi McLendon-Covey as Wade’s stormy and Air-Ball-loving boss, Gale.
Meet Gale:
Catherine O’Hara as Wade’s welcoming mom, Brook; Joe Pera as an overgrown city bureaucrat, Fern and last but not least, Mason Wertheimer as Ember’s admiring neighbor, Clod.
Meet Clod:
How the the Story of Elemental came to Be:
As a film critic, I’m fortunate enough to receive press materials for films I attend press screenings for. I enjoy reading how a film came to be, and the backstory of Elemental shines through in every scene. I’m happy to share this information with you today.
Sohn says the story, which is very personal to him, started with a drawing of a Fire character and Water character interacting. He imagined an unexpected friendship between them—a relationship sure to trigger awkwardness, banter and funny missteps.
“I started layering in my relationship with my wife—I’m Korean and she’s American, half Italian,” Sohn says. “I hid the relationship from my parents at first because they—in an old-school way—wanted me to marry someone Korean. My grandmother’s dying words were literally ‘Marry Korean!"
Sohn’s old-school parents eventually came around, finding they had a lot in common with their eventual daughter-in-law’s family. They also inspired another important aspect of the story, says the director. “It’s about understanding our parents as people. “
From that understanding comes an appreciation for the sacrifices that they make for their kids. My parents emigrated from Korea in the early 1970s, so I was born there and raised with Korean traditions, language, culture in the very American New York City.
That led to some culture clashes along the way between first and second generation. I took for granted the trials and tribulations they must’ve experienced.” Like Sohn, Ember is a second-generation immigrant—only her parents emigrated from Fireland to Element City where Ember is born and raised. “She goes on a journey of understanding her own identity and,” says the director, “with that, the meaning of what her parents have given her.”
A highlight of Ember’s journey and in many ways the impetus for it, is a fun and fateful friendship with a water guy named Wade.
“In the beginning, Ember has disdain for the city, but Wade helps her begin to fall in love with everything it has to offer,” says Sohn. “We found ways to introduce her to the city like some of my favorite comedies do—serving up opportunities for laughs.”
My Thoughts:
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It’s the laughter we shared while watching Elemental that I’ll treasure most. Who knew that a vibrant, colorful, animated film could convey such a myriad of emotions? There’s love and friendship, joy and hope, sadness and anger, happiness and laughter.
Did I go in thinking this was a love story? No, I didn't, but Disney & Pixar made me a believer! I also enjoyed how well families, with all our quirks and uniqueness were represented within their communities and how, in the end, they came together in unity for the betterment of Element City.
There’s something very potent about laughing out loud at the same scene with your family and a collective group of peers and strangers. I believe it added to the magic that is Elemental. My husband and young adult daughters loved the film as well.
The Takeaway:
If it’s been a while since you went to see a film in theaters with your family, I highly recommend you make plans now to go see Elemental. It’s a film that’s got something for every age and stage and is so visually appealing to watch. The storyline keeps you engaged and the soundtrack will stay with you after the film ends, especially Steal the Show by Lauv.
A great Opening Short: Carl’s Date:
I hope you’ll be able to go see Elemental, which opens in U.S. theaters this Friday. I think it’s a great way to kick off summer! Plus, if you’re a fan of Pixar’s 2009 film Up, you are in for a treat! Carl and Dug are back in the first Pixar short since 2018. This sadly, is the last time we will hear Ed Asner as Carl, so be sure to be in your seats and ready to see this short before Elemental starts.
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