Pixar in Space: The Animated Film "Elio"

We are not alone – the basic assumption that there are other life forms out there in the vastness of the universe is a frightening idea for some and an inspiring prospect for others. Eleven-year-old Elio feels terribly alone after the death of his parents. But he firmly believes that there must be another, better world up there in the starry sky – a world where eccentrics and space fans like him feel at home.

His aunt Olga has taken custody of him. For Elio's sake, she gave up her own dreams of becoming an astronaut and works at a U.S. Army space listening station. When her hyperactive nephew sneaks into the command center of her workplace, a message arrives from space, which the tech-savvy Elio secretly answers.

He can hardly believe his luck when, a short time later, he is picked up by a spaceship and taken to the futuristic Communiverse, where representatives from all galaxies are deliberating the fate of the universe. The child is inadvertently accepted as "Leader of Earth" and chosen to negotiate with the power-hungry Lord Grigon, who wants to take over the organization as sole ruler.

Elio befriends the dictator's son, who has no desire to be trained as a fighting machine and follow in his father's footsteps. Thus, the two children find themselves at the center of an intergalactic conflict in which Elio must prove his friendship and redefine his own Earthling identity.

Following the congenial "Wall-E" (2008) and the rather insignificant "Lightyear" (2022), Pixar Studios is now embarking on its third foray into the science fiction genre with "Elio." Directors Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi focus on a child-like character who feels alienated in his own life and longs for acceptance. The nerdy aspect of the story is painted in dazzling colors and with a great deal of sympathy for the supposed oddball. However, with the boy's journey into space, his wild fantasies become intergalactic reality.

Turning dreams into reality is one of cinema's most important tasks. The animation team tackles this task with zeal. The multicultural communal universe is populated with vibrant color, 3D, and a vast arsenal of aliens, largely avoiding the humanization of the extraterrestrial beings.

Empathy for the characters and visual creativity have been Pixar's core competencies since "Finding Nemo" (2003). However, in "Elio," the studio also indulges the trend toward hyperactivity that is increasingly taking hold in children's films. The action density seems excessive, leading to the poetry sometimes being lost in the nervous dramaturgy.

“Elio”, directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, 99 minutes, FSK 6