Exploring the Unique World of Pixar's 'Elio'

Hello, this is a review of Pixar's latest animated feature, 'Elio'. Imagine you find yourself in a situation where you need to convince aliens, 'I'm a great person, come take me away!' What would you say? Would you highlight your skills, your sense of humor, or your love for food? Elio, a young boy who feels like a burden to his aunt after losing his parents, is quite the character. He boldly declares, 'I'm creative, hardworking, and fit. Please come abduct me!' He even writes this message in the sand and waits for aliens, donning a makeshift communication device and slathering on sunscreen. I found myself drawn into his innocent longing. 'Oh, mighty King Crab of the aliens, please abduct me! Help me escape my terrifying deadlines! I can work hard and eat anything!' Would that be enough to satisfy the King Crab?

Have you ever felt like you don’t belong and wished to be taken away to another place? 'Elio' is a film for those who have felt this way. During my screening, a woman sitting nearby was sobbing as the credits rolled. I hesitated to speak to her, waiting silently for her tears to subside. The cinema is a space where the emotions of strangers can be shared in silence.

From the very beginning, Elio stands out from other kids. He hides under a restaurant table, seemingly ignoring his aunt as she tries to order for him. His expression reveals his inner turmoil: 'I’m just a burden. I need to disappear.' How can I comfort him? How can I tell him it’s not his fault? Elio's parents have passed away due to an unspecified tragedy, leaving him in the care of his aunt. In the first scene, set in a space museum, Elio learns about the Voyager spacecraft, which sparks his plan to be abducted by aliens. 'Surely one of the 500 million stars in the universe wants me.' With this hope, he embarks on an adventure that leads him to actual aliens.

The aliens Elio encounters live in a galaxy called the Communiverse, where a liquid supercomputer named 'Wooooo' provides answers to all questions, and a 'Cosmic User Manual' exists. If you could ask a genius who knows everything a question, what would it be? The origin of the universe? The meaning of life? This week’s lottery numbers? Elio’s question is quintessentially him: 'If a gorilla with a bat fights ten chimpanzees, who wins?' What a waste of a golden opportunity! It’s like asking a genie for a bottle of water when you could wish for anything. Personally, I would ask about the Little Prince or the real model for Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. (The answer to Elio’s question? The gorilla wins.)

Elio meets the tyrant Grigon, a warrior from the Crab Nebula, who plans to destroy the Communiverse. In a surprising twist, he finds an ally in Grigon’s son, Gloden, the prince of the Crab Nebula. You might find him adorable, even if he looks like a caterpillar. Unlike his father, Gloden is gentle and kind. When they first meet, he wraps Elio in a makeshift carrier. 'I thought Earth was the problem, but what if I’m the real issue?' Elio confides. Gloden reassures him, 'I like you. You seem fine to me.' Do you have a friend who offers such comforting words?

The film also explores the idea that on Crab Planet, everyone wears personalized armor when they grow up, symbolizing how we adopt social personas as adults. Gloden has a terrifying suit equipped with flamethrowers and acid cannons, but he despises it because he doesn’t want to hurt anyone. He confides in Elio, unable to express this to his father. Will Gloden become the fearsome warrior his father wants him to be? Will Elio find love and acceptance in the Communiverse?

As the story unfolds, I felt an urge to sneak into Pixar’s storytelling vault. In a world that often emphasizes maternal instincts, this narrative takes a unique turn. 'You are unique. Being unique can sometimes feel lonely, but you are not alone.' This is the message that an alien being shares with Elio, and I extend it to all of you who subscribe to 'How’s the Movie'. Embrace your uniqueness, and I look forward to sharing more in the next letter. Thank you.