vol. 7: pixar's elio features a really cute version of the dune sandworm
This week I finally got around to seeing Pixar's latest, Elio! It's cute and Pixar, though I didn't get the feels like I did in Soul or Monsters, Inc. Also thank you for reading, ily!!!!! <33333
Pixar’s latest film is super cute and works well - its worlds are detailed and immersive with a cast of memorable and super funny characters. I really enjoyed it but it does suffer from a tropey set-up (dysfunctional, angsty child who’s lost his parents, can’t connect with aunty etc). It’s still an enjoyable hour and a half about being yourself and making friends with people who are the same weird as you.
Elio is obsessed with aliens and his dreams come true when he finally gets abducted - he’s mistaken as the leader of earth and ends up volunteering for a role as a UN diplomat basically, but the intergalactic version.
It’s cute but didn’t hit me in the feels as much as Monsters, Inc., Soul or Ratatouille (those pin drops made me cry, feel magic, or at least view life with a fresh perspective!!!). I love a space film because it gives you scope to be crazy creative and this film serves with all the vivid environments and weird aliens. (The colour and scenes reminded me of Finding Nemo). It has callbacks to E.T. in one scene and Glordon reminds me of a super cuddly, cute, kawaii-fied version of the sandworms in Dune, but a lot friendlier though still with terrifying teeth. He has no eyes but is so emotive!!!
The heart of the film are these two: Glordon and Elio who form the cutest of friendships. Both are struggling with the parental figures in their lives - Elio with his aunty, who has adopted him after his parents’ death, and Glorden, whose dad sees a certain future that doesn’t align with his values.
Overall it’s cute, nice to look at and is funny with all the visual gags and charm of most Pixar films. (In my top Pixar rankings this is probably at the midpoint - not as good as the classics but better than Lightyear!).
🐕 Are there dogs in the film? 🐕 nahhh
🎄 Is it set at Christmas? 🎄nahh
👗 Who is the best dressed? 👗 Elio with his custom glittering space cape, designed by Pixar Character Designer Maria Yi
Stuff I bookmarked this week:
✿ Parasite, Lost in Translation, Mulholland Drive are among the best films of the 21st Century according to the NYTimes!
Here’s my top 10, which was the most agonizing ballot I’ve ever had to fill out:
[✿ In the Mood for Love ✿ Lost in Translation ✿ Past Lives ✿ Midnight in Paris ✿ Parasite ✿ Monsters, Inc. ✿ Interstellar ✿ Gone Girl ✿ Inglourious Basterds ✿ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story]
✿ Matt Reeves has finished the Batman 2 script
✿ FROTHING over the teaser poster for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
✿ Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon and now Jon Bernthal have been confirmed for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
✿ Louis Vuitton, but make it Wes Anderson themed luggage
🐶 Pupdate 🐶
Warmest virtual hugs
Thuy