Elemental Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A literal hothead falls for a crybaby, leading to a city-wide plumbing crisis and an awkward family dinner.

🍿 Elemental: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Element City

The film introduces Element City, a vibrant metropolis where residents of fire, water, earth, and air live together. We’re quickly introduced to the prejudice and segregation that exists, particularly towards the fire elements who are the newest immigrants. Bernie and Cinder Lumen, fire elementals, arrive in the city seeking a better life but face constant discrimination.

The Fireplace and Ember’s Dilemma

The Lumens eventually establish ‘The Fireplace,’ a convenience store that becomes the heart of Firetown. Years later, their daughter, Ember, struggles to control her fiery temper while preparing to take over the family business. Her father, Bernie, plans to retire and pass the store to her, but she doubts her abilities.

Meeting Wade and Discovering the Leak

Ember’s uncontrolled temper leads to a burst water pipe in the store’s basement, summoning Wade Ripple, a water element and city inspector. Wade discovers the faulty plumbing and reports it, threatening to shut down ‘The Fireplace’. To save her family’s store, Ember teams up with Wade to find and fix a city-wide water leak.

Love Blossoms and Finding Purpose

As Ember and Wade investigate the leak, they spend time together and develop feelings for each other, despite their elemental differences. Ember also discovers that she doesn’t want to run the Fireplace, but pursue her passion for glassmaking. This creates conflict with her father, who has always envisioned her taking over the store.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ember (Leah Lewis): A fiery and determined young fire element struggling with her temper and expectations to take over her family’s business.
• Wade (Mamoudou Athie): A sensitive and emotional water element who works as a city inspector and challenges Ember’s perspective.
• Bernie (Ronnie Del Carmen): Ember’s father, a hardworking fire element who owns the Fireplace store and hopes Ember will inherit it.
• Cinder (Shila Ommi): Ember’s mother, a supportive fire element who offers guidance and wisdom to her daughter.
• Gale (Wendi McLendon-Covey): Wade’s air element boss, a boisterous character who grants Ember and Wade a chance to save the Fireplace.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ember: “I don’t want to run the shop.” – Ember confesses to her father that she doesn’t want to take over the family business, going against his expectations.
• Bernie: “Take care of the flame, Ember.” – Bernie’s constant reminder to Ember about the importance of their family’s legacy and traditions.
• Wade: “It’s okay to cry.” – Wade encourages Ember to embrace her emotions and vulnerability, leading to a deeper connection between them.
• Ember: “I’m fire. Water destroys fire.” – Ember expresses her belief that she and Wade cannot be together due to their elemental differences.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $200,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $154,426,697
• Worldwide Gross: $496,444,308

💥 Elemental Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Elemental’! The visuals were mesmerizing, and the story, while simple, really resonated with me. Seeing Ember and Wade overcome their differences and societal expectations was heartwarming. The underwater flower scene at Garden Central Station was breathtaking and left me with happy tears. Definitely a must-see!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Pixar movies”
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming story”
  • “Viewers interested in themes of immigration and acceptance”
  • “Those who enjoy romantic comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief scenes of prejudice and discrimination”
  • “Emotional scenes that may be upsetting for very young children”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Elemental is a visually stunning film, although the story treads familiar ground, the animation is top-notch. Ember and Wade’s journey of self-discovery is the real heart of the story.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While the themes of cultural differences are heavy-handed, Elemental triumphs with its dazzling animation and the emotional depth of its two lead characters. The romance between Ember and Wade is surprisingly affecting.
• Variety: “Elemental is a charming movie with strong visuals, but the narrative feels formulaic and the commentary on societal prejudice lacks nuance. The world-building is great, but the characters needed more depth.

Audience Reactions

The vibrant animation and unique character designs really stood out.: Viewers were particularly impressed by the visual artistry and world-building.

The story’s message about acceptance and overcoming prejudice resonated with many viewers.: Fans appreciated the film’s heartfelt themes, especially regarding cultural differences and family expectations.

Overall Consensus: While the story may feel familiar, Elemental captivates with its stunning visuals, emotional depth, and heartwarming message of acceptance, making it a worthwhile watch for audiences of all ages.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Peter Sohn based the film on his own experiences as a child of Korean immigrants in New York City, drawing parallels between the different elements and the diverse communities in his neighborhood.”
• “The design of Element City was inspired by various cities around the world, including Venice, Italy, and New York City, creating a unique blend of architectural styles.”
• “Creating realistic fire and water effects presented significant technical challenges for the animation team, requiring new software and innovative approaches to render the dynamic movement of the elements.”

🖥️ How to Watch Elemental?

Elemental is available for streaming on Disney+. You can also rent or purchase it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Elemental, you might like these similar films:

• Zootopia (2016): Both films explore themes of prejudice and cultural differences within a vibrant, anthropomorphic city.
• Inside Out (2015): Similar use of personified concepts (emotions in Inside Out, elements in Elemental) to explore complex themes in a family-friendly way.
• Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967): A classic film addressing interracial relationships and societal prejudices, similar to the forbidden romance in Elemental.
• Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022): Explores the immigrant experience and family expectations, resonating with the themes of parental expectations and cultural identity in Elemental.

🛒 Elemental Related Products

• Funko Pop! Disney Pixar Elemental – Ember Lumen: A stylized collectible vinyl figure of Ember Lumen, perfect for fans of the film and Funko Pop collectors. Captures Ember’s fiery personality and unique design.
• The Art of Elemental: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Elemental, featuring concept art, character designs, and interviews with the filmmakers. Perfect for animation enthusiasts.
• Elemental City – Jigsaw Puzzle: A detailed jigsaw puzzle featuring a beautiful landscape scene from Element City. Offers a fun and engaging activity for fans of all ages.
• Elemental – Character T-Shirt (Ember & Wade): A comfortable and stylish t-shirt featuring Ember and Wade. Show off your fandom with this eye-catching design. Made with high-quality materials for lasting wear.

🎧 Soundtrack

Elemental features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Steal the Show” – performed by Lauv
• “Across the Ocean” – performed by Thomas Newman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Elemental Manipulation Theory

Curious about the hidden depths of ‘Elemental’? Check out this intriguing theory that suggests Ember’s feelings may not be entirely her own!

3 Easter Eggs in the Elemental Trailer #shorts

Want to know what secrets are hidden in the trailer for ‘Elemental’? This video reveals a few eye-catching details you might have missed, giving you a deeper appreciation for the movie’s artistry.

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