Pixar continues to push animation boundaries in its latest effort: Elio. The example on display is the alien “Communiverse,” a celestial globe where aliens of all shapes and sizes live together. It bursts with inventive characters (a page‑stream encyclopedia, a water‑orb supercomputer named OOOOO, and the adorable, microbe‑spired Glordon), and visuals that shine with the studio’s iconic flair. Paired with a neat script, Elio briskly paces its story into a 99-minute runtime. The film carries all the trappings of a Pixar feature—emotional depth, imaginative world-building, and heartwarming characters—but never quite fuses them into something transcendent. It’s a film with heart and humor, but it feels slightly hemmed in by its formula. For younger viewers or those seeking playful spectacle, it's a feast: imaginative designs, gleeful humor, and vibrant color.

At its core, Elio is a story about loneliness, connection, and self-discovery. It opens with vivid energy, plunging us into the spirited imagination of Elio Solís (voice of Yonas Kibreab), an 11‑year‑old coping with the death of his parents and longing for someone—anyone—to notice him. His bond with his aunt Olga (Zoe Saldaña), a devoted yet overwhelmed military officer, anchors the emotional burden he carries. Despite its interstellar setting, Elio is ultimately grounded by the emotional journey at its center. The bond between Elio and Glordon is the emotional core of the movie, and their friendship adds genuine warmth. Together, they form a heartwarming duo that carries the weight of the film’s emotional message about being seen, heard, and accepted.

That said, Elio doesn't quite hit the emotional heights of Pixar’s best efforts. The studio has built its reputation on films that leave adults wiping away tears while children giggle. But here, while the emotion is earnest, it feels slightly undercooked. Elio’s arc—learning to believe in himself and embrace his uniqueness—is undeniably sweet but also predictable. We've seen this narrative template before, both within Pixar (Luca, Turning Red) and elsewhere. The script hints at deeper themes—loss, abandonment, the need to belong—but it rarely pauses long enough to explore them with nuance. Yet while these moments land, the emotional resonance doesn’t quite match Pixar’s high-water marks. The hook between Elio and Glordon is sincere, but supporting roles and broader emotional arcs feel thinner by comparison. It’s worth noting that the visuals and characters are the film’s most significant attributes, but the narrative occasionally struggles with clarity.

Part of the issue may stem from behind-the-scenes turbulence. The film reportedly underwent significant changes during production, including shifts in creative leadership and structural rewrites. Some of that disjointedness shows in the final cut. Certain character arcs feel rushed, especially those involving Elio’s aunt Olga (initially his mom, voiced by America Ferrera) and the Earth-based military subplot, which fades into the background by the third act. These precedents may make viewers ponder the current state of Pixar. What is the current state of the once unstoppable powerhouse of a studio? It hasn’t endured a run like the MCU has with its Infinity Saga, but I feel as though since 2020, there’s been a shift within the studio.

Elio is a well-meaning, beautifully rendered tale about feeling small in a vast universe and learning to shine anyway. It’s funny, heartfelt, and visually imaginative—but also somewhat familiar and emotionally restrained. This is still a win for Pixar. For younger viewers, it’s an uplifting cosmic ride with a lovable hero. For adults, it’s a reminder of Pixar’s potential, even if it doesn’t quite tap into the magic of its classics and may leave long-time fans wanting more depth.

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