When a neighbourhood of fire elements is at risk of flooding, Ember (Leah Lewis) grows an unlikely bond with water figure Wade (Mamoudou Athie) in order to save her home.

It feels strange to say that a Pixar film comes across as on-the-nose with its themes, but that’s the case for the latest from the studio which brought us Inside Out, Up, Toy Story 3 and even the themes of using disabilities as strengths in Finding Dory. Somehow the repeated core theme surrounding the idea of ‘elements can’t mix’ feels quite obvious.

This is a statement repeated to central figure Ember (Leah Lewis), whose fiery family lives in a separate neighbourhood to the rest of Element City due to the dangers, and negative attitudes from, being around other elements who have lived in the area for many more years. However, when a leak threatens her neighbourhood Ember must team up with highly-emotional water element Wade (Mamoudou Athie) to find a solution before it’s too late. Whether that be before her home is flooded, or before the family shop is passed down from her father (Ronnie Del Carmen) to her, if she can control her temper.

As the relationship between the pair grows we bounce between various other characters who help them along their way. It’s nice to see another film from Pixar, like with Luca, where there’s no outright antagonist or villain, or really a rival as featured in the aforementioned film. Alongside these characters we get a handful of other strands and ideas for the film to play with, sometimes feeling like it’s juggling one too many points at one time, wavering between this and the obviousness of certain other moments.

There are some who have labelled Elemental as a rom-com, and it’s certainly the humour which helps it along. Perhaps not a frequent set of laugh-out-loud funny moments, but there are certainly a handful of effective chuckles here and there. They help make for a likable venture which keeps you in place throughout the run-time. As does the animation, with plenty of creativity going into the design and locations of Element City.

However, despite this the feeling that the rest of the film could sometimes do with a bit more substance is certainly present. Partly to join up certain themes to avoid feeling somewhat busy at times, and also to not feel so on-the-nose with its core ideas and how they come across within the narrative. This is a lighter film from Pixar, but it feels as if it wants to do and be more without ever quite reaching where it wants to be. 

What Elemental does is fine. There’s an overall worthwhile venture which certainly has a good entertainment factor thanks to the humour and visual detail featured throughout. However, there’s an occasionally watered-down feel from what the film could, and seemingly wants to, be.

Jamie Skinner, Three stars ***