NATURAL SELECTION

ELEMENTAL Opposites attract in Pixar’s ambitious big-city romcom.

- JORDAN FARLEY

In Elemental, fire, water, earth and air folk reside semi-harmoniously in the magnificent metropolis of Element City. It’s against this dazzling backdrop that sparks fly between hotheaded young woman Ember (Leah Lewis) and go-with-the-flow guy Wade (Mamoudou Athie). Directed by Peter Sohn (The Good Dinosaur, and the voice of Sox in Lightyear), it’s Pixar’s first original film to hit cinemas since the pandemic.

1. FAMILY FIRST 

Elemental is a story ripped from reality for Sohn – both he and Ember are second-generation immigrants whose parents opened up grocery stores upon arriving in their new home cities. The Lumen family business, The Fireplace, is Ember’s to inherit from her ailing father, Bernie (Ronnie Del Carmen), as long as she can keep her temper in check. Even the film’s fire-and-water odd couple were inspired by Sohn’s own life. ‘That was based off of me marrying someone who was half American, half Italian. My grandmother’s dying words were literally: “Marry Korean!”’ Sohn says. ‘It’s not autobiography, but these things become North Stars that you use as a guide.’

2. PARADISE CITY