“Elio” has one of the most engaging lead characters in recent Disney/Pixar history. The film, however, is a muddled mess.
Just when you think he’s going to deal with bullies on Earth, Elio (a lively Yonas Kibreab) is abducted by aliens and shuttled to the Communiverse where he’s misidentified as Earth’s ambassador.
Yonas Kibreab provides the voice of Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination in "Elio."
There, he makes friends with aliens and, thanks to a supercomputer, understands what they’re saying: Lord Grigon, apparently, wants to take the Communiverse by force, prompting others to look to Elio as their negotiator. To solve problems back home, they create an Elio clone and send him to Elio’s aunt, an Air Force major who’s his guardian now that his parents are gone.
In the process of solving the problems of the universe, Elio comes into his own and becomes a stronger boy. Until then, we’re unsure where this is headed. A bullying theme sets this up for a different story; an outer space venture tries to gloss over domestic woes.
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When Elio (voice of Yonas Kibreab) is beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, he must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms in "Elio."
The upshot? "Elio" is saying is there are outliers everywhere who need embracing, otherwise we’re stuck in a universe of darkness.
Because “Elio” shifted directors before it was released (Adrian Molina gave birth to the concept; Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi saw it through to completion) key plot points were discarded in favor of a more passive approach to resistance.
The film has a colorful world and that original lead character, but it certainly shortchanges Aunt Olga (Zoe Saldana) and gives a couple of bullies more power than they’re worth. Only the odd mix of aliens (including the lovable son of Grigon) and Elio seem interesting.
Elio, left, and Glordon bond when the Earthling is beamed to the Communiverse, hoping to solve the universe's problems in "Elio."
Elio, though, should have been able to ply his personality on Earth, not outer space where there doesn’t seem to be a right way to act. Back home, it’s likely he’ll continue to encounter problems if something isn’t done about the “evil” forces that mirror Grigon.
Clearly, Molina had an original concept that Disney watered down because it didn’t want to alienate certain audiences. That meant “Elio” became as adrift as Elio. By acquiescing, the new directors followed a path of least resistance and came up with a film that shows the shift.
A new opportunity — a film that lets Elio lean into his personality — might be the best conclusion to this story.
Otherwise, “Elio” is just a bunch of sketches that suggest what Disneyland and Disney World can do with their aging Tomorrowland. Elio is just an afterthought.
