Pixar’s Elio: A Dazzling Sci-Fi Adventure That Shoots for the Stars but Misses Some Targets
Pixar is back with a brand-new movie, Elio, and this time the studio is reaching for the stars—literally. If you love wild sci-fi adventures, emotional stories, and colorful worlds, this one might catch your eye. But is it classic Pixar magic, or does it try to do a bit too much? Let’s find out what makes Elio so unique, and where it stumbles along the way.
- Elio is Pixar’s latest animated sci-fi adventure
- The film mixes emotional storytelling with bold visual risks
- Some storylines shine, others feel a bit unfinished
- Release date: June 20
Pixar’s Newest Risk: What’s Elio All About?
Pixar has always been known for taking chances, and Elio is no exception. The story centers on 11-year-old Elio Solis, a boy who’s obsessed with aliens and dreams of being abducted. He’s dealing with loss and loneliness, living with his aunt Olga, who works for the Air Force. One day, thanks to a series of unexpected events—including some ham-radio-loving kids and a quirky adult alien fan—Elio gets his wish and ends up in space, mistaken for the leader of Earth by a group of friendly but nervous aliens called the Communiverse.
Why Elio Feels Familiar—and Different
If you’ve seen movies like Atlantis: The Lost Empire or Lightyear, you know that American animated sci-fi isn’t always a box office hit. Elio tries to change that with its stunning visuals and a world designed to look like nothing you’ve seen before. According to production designer Harley Jessup (source), the team wanted to break away from typical sci-fi designs.
Despite the eye candy, Elio’s real focus is on emotion. The plot weaves together themes of grief, connection, and finding where you belong. Elio’s journey through space is packed with fast-paced action, goofy pastel aliens, and a few heartfelt moments. But with so many ideas, the story sometimes feels like it’s juggling too much at once.
The Characters and the Chaos
Elio isn’t your typical hero. He’s stubborn, a little selfish, but also deeply relatable for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. His relationship with Aunt Olga, who gave up her astronaut dreams to raise him, adds an extra layer of heart. The Communiverse is a fun and strange place, reminiscent of the “Great Before” from Soul, but with its own pastel twist.
The movie’s supporting cast is equally quirky. From Blood Emperor Lord Grigon, a would-be conqueror with a comedic edge, to the ham-radio kids back on Earth, everyone brings something different to the table. But with so many subplots—like the Communiverse’s fear of bullies, or Aunt Olga’s unfulfilled dreams—some threads don’t get the closure they deserve.
Behind the Scenes: Changes and Challenges
Elio started out with Adrian Molina (co-director of Coco) at the helm, but halfway through, Domee Shi (Turning Red) and Madeline Sharafian (Burrow) took over (details here). This change might explain why the film sometimes feels like it’s trying to do too much. There are moments that hint at deeper messages—like technology hiding vulnerability or the cost of giving up on dreams—but they don’t always land.
Does Elio Stick the Landing?
Elio is a visual treat with a lot of heart, but it’s also a movie that pulls in many directions. Some scenes will make you laugh, others might make you think, but a few will leave you wishing for more. The film feels like it could have been a whole TV series, with so many ideas packed into just one movie.
In the end, Elio is another bold Pixar experiment—one that dares to show us a strange, colorful universe and hopes we’ll come along for the ride. It may not answer every question it raises, but it definitely takes you somewhere new.
Elio hits theaters on June 20. Will you take the trip?
