Photo via Disney/Pixar
Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Elemental.
Once, the periodic table only consisted of earth, wind, fire, and water. However, scientists delved deeper and discovered the 118 elements we have today. Now, imagine an animated film where these original elements are personified, telling a story with a profound social message. That’s the essence of Elemental.
Some elements naturally complement each other, while others don’t. This forms the foundation of a Disney and Pixar collaboration directed by Peter Sohn and written by John Hoberg, Kat Likkel, and Brenda Hsueh. The underlying theme explores the possibility of cultural harmony and the formation of relationships between individuals from conflicting backgrounds.
Meet Ember Lumen and Wade Ripple, the main characters representing fire and water. Ember aspires to run her father’s convenience store, and Wade is a water element health inspector. Notice their fitting names and careers, which become clearer when it’s revealed that the convenience store is named the Fireplace.
Naturally, Ember and Wade face challenges in developing a relationship. Water extinguishes fire, and heat causes water to evaporate. They can’t even hold hands or hug each other. This conundrum reflects the real-world dilemma faced by cultures with deep-seated opposition to mingling. Falling in love can result in excommunication if the worlds they come from strongly enforce xenophobia.
Ember’s father recounts how he was denied a sacred bow when he left his homeland in search of Element City. This deeply ingrained scar impacts Ember’s relationship with Wade. When he visits the Fireplace to investigate a flooded basement, Ember has a fiery outburst and accidentally bursts a water pipe. Their initial encounter is far from pleasant, but as they spend more time together, they uncover each other’s stories and develop feelings.
While Ember initially denies her emotions, Wade boldly declares his love. Unsure how to handle it, Ember experiences a dramatic twist that reveals her true feelings. During another flood, Ember and Wade find themselves trapped together in a room where the heat gradually intensifies. As Wade evaporates, Ember realizes the depth of her loss.
However, anyone familiar with water knows that it never truly disappears. Evaporation is merely a temporary transformation; the word “vapor” itself suggests this. Wade has the ability to return, and he does once he hears Ember confess her love. Finally, fire and water share their first kiss, and it proves that their union doesn’t lead to destruction.
This beautiful story currently holds a 75% score on Rotten Tomatoes with a rating of 7.2/10 on IMDb. With Pixar’s expertise in computer animation and Disney’s storytelling prowess, Elemental is a resounding triumph that imparts valuable lessons for children as they navigate the complexities of the real world.
About the author
