ELEMENTAL (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Elemental—weird animation—uses metaphors that are almost too difficult for an adult to decipher. For a child the movie leaves that audience with color and lights…no comedy for laughter and no comprehension of story. The movie does not even allow before viewing preparation or after viewing discussion. It forgets its mission which is to entertain and relate to as wide a range of audience both domestic and international as it can. The only part of the movie that is redeemable is when the daughter gives her father a traditional and respectful farewell. This movie can be panned. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This movie is about an immigrant ‘fire’ family who starts a new business and their daughter falls in love with a ‘water’ man. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Peter Sohn for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Denise Ream for making the film possible. Cast includes Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Catherine O’Hara. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie may work for children, but the metaphors are difficult for an adult to interpret and will most likely completely fly over a child’s head leaving that audience with a movie of color and lights only. The complications introduced as messages further hamper the potential impact of the movie and gives  it the feeling of being ‘all over the place’ and therefore, cannot even make its message points well.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers