MOVIE REVIEW: Pixar, Disney Surprise With ‘Elio’

BY: Philip Sayblack

​Hollywood’s major studios have, in recent years, given audiences very little to applaud both in theaters and at home.  All of the prequels, sequels, reboots, movies based on books and actual events (which are more often than not overly embellished with untruths), and all of the unappealing re-issues have made, and continue to make that clear.  This summer though, Pixar Animation has actually offered a diamond in the rough, so to speak in the form of its latest offering, Elio.  Having made its theatrical debut June 20, it is streaming now and will be available on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD Sept. 9.  The movie, especially in its forthcoming home release is a surprisingly enjoyable work, due in part to its central story, the story’s themes and its science fiction throwbacks.  Speaking of the throwbacks, the lack of any discussion on those items in the otherwise positive bonus content is another of the key items in the movie’s home presentation.  The movie’s production in its 4K release rounds out its most important elements.  When it is considered alongside the other noted items, the whole therein makes Elio one of the rare movies released so far this year that is actually worth watching and maybe even owning.
Elio, the latest movie from Pixar Animation and its parent company Disney, is one of the biggest surprises of 2025 in terms of new movies.  That is because it proves itself to be worth watching and maybe even owning all things considered.  Its appeal comes in large part through its story and the themes and science fiction throwbacks connected to the story.  The story is a touching tale of its young titular character, who following the death of his parents, is taken in by his aunt, Olga (Zoe Saldana – Guardians of the Galaxy 1-3, Star Trek 1-3, Colombiana).  Both Elio (Yonas Kibreab – Sweet Tooth, Into The Dark, Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Olga struggle with their relationship — Olga because she is single, making her rather new and unpracticed at parenting and Elio because he increasingly feels alone (like an alien figuratively speaking) – as the story opens.  After slipping into a high security room at the base where Olga works and sending a message to outer space, he is “abducted” by a group of interstellar “ambassadors” in what is known as the Communiverse.  This matter ties into the movie’s themes and will be discussed a little later.  In joining the Communiverse, Elio finds that he has finally found his place in life and in the universe for lack of better wording.  However when a big bad alien named Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett == Everybody Loves Raymond, Tangled, Ratatouille) threatens the Communiverse things change, even as Grigon’s son, Glordon (Remy Edgerly – Sing 2, Helluva Boss) befriends Elio.  In the end, the events that unfold lead Elio and Olga to become closer and to Elio realizing his true home and place.  Simply put, the story of friendship, family, and personal growth is anything but new.  At the same time, there the way in which the familiar themes are delivered herein is original, making it not necessarily one of Pixar’s best movies but still an enjoyable unique story from one of the leading names in today’s animation community.
Leaning back on the noted themes of family and friendship, they are just a couple of the themes that are tied into Elio.  It is very easy to also note that the story also incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion (yes, DEI) through the use of the Communiverse.  That is because the Communivers is comprised of beings from across the universe in one community (community, universe, get it?)  Considering all that is happening in America right now, maintaining and promoting DEI herein is so welcome.  On the same note, it makes this movie a great way to torture all of the braindead, brainwashed MAGA cultists out there who hate anyone who does not look and talk like them.  To that end, the movie’s creative heads are to be commended for including this clear theme into the story.
The equally familiar theme of personal emotional growth is again nothing new for Pixar’s movies.  It is still welcome here, nonetheless.  That is because of the unique scenario that leads to Elio’s situation.  Few if any other movies out there touch on the topic of fostering, which is essentially what happens here.  Olga becomes a foster parent of sorts to Elio.  There is one other movie out there that immediately comes to mind.  It is the 2007 movie, Martian Child, which was distributed through independent studio Anchor Bay.  Watching the growth that both Olga and Elio experience as the story progresses is engaging in its own right.  Each sees things one way until things change, leading them to become closer and true family in the end, leading to the happy ending, which will not be revealed here.
Moving on to another topic related to the story is its clear homage to so many other vintage science fiction properties.  The one throwback that immediately comes to mind is that to the vintage sci-fi sitcom, Alf.  The throwback comes in a simple way, courtesy of Olga’s co-worker, Gunther Melmac.  For those who might not know, Alf’s home world is the planet Melmac.  To that end, one has to know that this throwback was intentional.  Gunther (Brendan Hunt – Ted Lasso, Horrible Bosses 2, Bless This Mess) is a secondary character but actually plays a key role late in the story’s third act.  This will also be left for audiences to discover for themselves. 
The scene in which the space pod is being kept in the bay at the Air Force base is another throwback in its own way.  It is actually a throwback to not one but two classic Disney science fiction movies, The Cat From Outer Space (1978) and Flight of the Navigator (1986).  The throwback comes from the delivery of the pod into the hangar and how it is displayed therein.  This is another item that longtime movie buffs will appreciate.
On yet another note, the very use of clones of Elio and Glordon is a throwback to the classic 1956 science fiction flick, Invasion of the Bodysnatchers.  In this movie, seed pods land on earth and the contents become clones of the people, just lacking any human emotion.  Unlike that case, the clones of Elio and Glordon are way too happy.  This actually plays directly into the story in Elio, as Olga starts to realize over time that her nephew is too happy and sociable all the time.  So yes, there is that throwback, too.  It is just one more of so many science fiction throwbacks throughout the 98-minute movie.  It also makes subtle references to the likes of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and even Fire in the Sky, albeit in a kid friendly fashion.  Those collective throwbacks are sure to appeal to so many older established science fiction fans.  They in turn make for even more engagement and entertainment.
Staying on the matter of those classic science fiction references, it is sad that in the bonus content, there is zero discussion on their inclusion.  Why there is on discussion thereof is anyone’s guess, but even mention in an audio commentary (which is also lacking among the bonus content) would certainly have enhanced the viewing experience.  Now, on that note, the bonus content that is included in the movie’s home release actually does add to the experience, even with that in mind.  The deleted scenes, for instance, include introductions from co-directors Domee Shi (Turning Red, Inside Out, Incredibles 2) and Madaline Sharafian (Turning Red, Coco, We Bear Bears).  Those introductions help to explain why the deleted scenes in question were left on the cutting room floor.  That understanding, in watching the scenes in question, make it easy to understand why they were left out as viewers take in each scene.  Interestingly enough, one of those scenes, which involves Elio having to go through an obstacle course, actually includes a clear throwback to yet another older Disney franchise, none other than Recess.  More specifically, it references the modern classic series’ debut episode, which included the short, “The New Kid.”  In this short, new kid Gus has to fight to “earn” his name and not just be “the new kid.”  It is a great throwback that fans of the series will truly love.  At the same time, in taking the introduction from Shi and Sharafian, it makes sense why it was left out of the final presentation.
Two other deleted scenes, which focus on the Communiverse’s other ambassadors, make sense having been cut, again after hearing the explanation.  The explanation is that they center on the ambassadors’ character development and that in one scene, Grigon was already a member of the Communiverse instead of the main antagonist.  Shi and Sharafian are right that the focus needed to remain on Elio’s development, not that of the ambassadors, and that the original setup for Grigon simply did not work.  All things considered the bonus content featured with the movie prove the most important of the movie’s extras.  The “making of” featurette adds a little bit to the whole, but in all honesty, not much.  The same applies to the little Q&A session that Kibreab and Edgerly hold with a NASA astronaut.  All things considered the bonus content (and lack thereof) helps and detracts from Elio’s presentation.
Rounding out the most important of Elio’s elements is its production.  Throughout the course of its nearly 2-hour run time, the movie’s sound and picture are crystal clear in the movie’s 4K presentation.  Viewers will be amazed at said clarity in the overall presentation.  There is no need to adjust the volume at any point from beginning to end and no need to strain one’s eyes, either.  Keeping that in mind, the aesthetic aspect of Elio in its home release makes for just as much to appreciate as the movie’s story, its themes, sci-fi throwbacks, and even bonus content.  All things considered, the forthcoming home physical release of Elio (and its current digital presentation) prove it to be one of the most surprisingly welcome cinematic offerings of 2025 that is worth watching and maybe even owning.
Elio, the latest cinematic offering from Pixar Animation, is a surprisingly positive offering from the studio, which has also released even greater movies, such as Coco, Up, and Cars.  This movie’s appeal comes in part through its story, which follows its titular character.  After the death of his parents, Elio is “adopted” by his aunt, Olga, but still feels alien (figuratively speaking).  He feels alone on Earth and in the universe, until circumstances change.  The themes and vintage science fiction throwbacks that connect to the story add to the appeal, as does the bonus content (if only to a point).  The movie’s production in its 4K presentation puts the finishing touch to the movie, giving audiences a fully positive aesthetic aspect.  Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of Elio.  All things considered they make Elio one of the most surprisingly welcome cinematic offerings of 2025.
Elio is streaming now through Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.  It is scheduled for home physical release Sept. 9 on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K.  More information on this and other titles from Disney and Pixar is available at:
Website: https://www.pixar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pixar
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pixar