From toys and abstract feelings to bugs and cars, no studio does a better job of telling human stories with non-human characters like Pixar. Now the animation powerhouse is going to do that with fire, water, earth, and air. And the colorful first first trailer for Elemental shows what kind of classic Pixar story it’ll tell. It’s a real fish out of water story. Only, in this case, it’s a “fire hanging out with water” story.
No Pixar movie has ever looked more like a Pixar movie than Elemental does. To paraphrase Spinal Tap‘s Nigel Tufnel, “It’s like, how much more Pixar could this be? And the answer is none. None more Pixar.” That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Pixar is very good! The film’s official synopsis also promises a timeless tale that takes inspiration from around the world. All told with stunning visuals we’ve come to expect from Pixar, which we see in this Elemental trailer. From Disney:
Check out a brand-new trailer for Disney and Pixar’s Elemental, an all-new original feature film that transports moviegoers to an extraordinary place called Element City, where a host of elements live and work. The trailer showcases each element—air, earth, water and fire—and what sets them apart according to Ember, a quick-witted and fiery woman who’s always stayed close to home in Firetown. In Elemental, which opens in theaters on June 16, she finally ventures out of her comfort zone to explore this spectacular world born from the imaginations of Pixar’s filmmakers and specifically crafted for the big-screen experience. Element City is inspired by big cities around the globe and embraces theorized contributions from each elemental community—from giant pine-tree-like buildings and waterfall skyscrapers to a tornado-shaped arena called Cyclone Stadium.
The film stars Leah Lewis (Ember) and Mamoudou Athie (Wade). Joining them are Ronnie del Carmen as Ember’s soon-to-be retired dad, Bernie; Shila Ommi as Ember’s love-seeking mom, Cinder; Wendi McLendon-Covey as Wade’s stormy and Air-Ball-loving boss, Gale; Catherine O’Hara as Wade’s welcoming mom, Brook; Mason Wertheimer as Ember’s admiring earth neighbor, Clod; and Joe Pera as an overgrown city bureaucrat, Fern.
Elemental comes from director Peter Sohn, with a screenplay from John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh. The film blows into theaters this summer, June 16. It will also screen in 3D.
Of course, Disney should also offer 4D screenings, too. Splash some water on us. Blow some air through our hair. Let us feel heat from flames and earth under our feet. Now that would be a way to really up the feeling of experiencing Pixars most Pixar movie.
