Elio Review: New Pixar Movie Is Fun & Powerful

What if Earth’s first contact with alien life wasn’t a scientist, a soldier, or even an adult, but an awkward, imaginative eleven-year-old boy? Elio, Pixar’s latest leap into the cosmos, turns that premise into a rich, dazzling adventure that speaks to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. With heart, humor, and a dash of galactic chaos, this animated odyssey blends childhood vulnerability with a cosmic-scale coming-of-age story, proving once again that Pixar knows how to shoot for the stars and still land somewhere on earth.

This feels like a throwback to classic 80s and 90s family films mixed with a classic Pixar charm. We meet young Elio (Yonas Kibreab), who has recently lost his parents. We like and empathize with him the way we do with young boys like Elliott from E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, Daniel LaRusso from The Karate Kid, and Mikey from The Goonies. Elio discovers a fascination with space, and the movie pulls some effective humor out of having Elio actively try to get abducted by aliens. He gets into an altercation with a bully, leaving him with a temporary eye patch, and soon enough, Elio is able to make first contact with the aliens he had always dreamed of reaching.

From here, we have a starry-eyed, awe-inspiring adventure that can instill wonder in audiences of all ages. We have charming animation and character models done in Pixar’s new, distinct style. Elio does a wonderful job building its world, introducing us to extraterrestrial life and society through the eyes of a child. It’s the kind of movie that re-inspires the childlike wonder in all of us. This is an emotionally powerful film without a single hint of pessimism. It’s pure joy wrapped in an animated adventure, and it’s a testament to the original filmmaking that Pixar should be focusing on.

Like all Pixar movies, there’s a very mature, specific type of humor that can make adults laugh just as much as children. As a matter of fact, many Pixar films have jokes that hit even harder when you’re old enough to understand them. Elio is no exception. It’s a very funny movie with a charming sense of humor. But also like the best Pixar movies, it has a lot of drama in there too. Elio no longer has his parents and he feels unwanted by his Aunt Olga, who is pulled in many different directions and doesn’t always feel ready to be a new parent to Elio. They don’t have a strong connection, which leads to Elio wanting to find a place where he feels wanted. His search just so happens to extend anywhere in the universe.

Elio introduces himself to the aliens as Earth’s leader. It seems like a wonderful position to be in until he finds that he and the other aliens are under a very real threat. Saving the world? No easy task, but it’s easier once he meets an alien named Glordon (Remy Edgerly). Now, Elio is such a wonderful protagonist filled with energy and charisma. He’s not a perfect kid, but he’s so dedicated to his passion, and Kibreab’s voice performance is spectacular. But once Glordon shows up, he manages to somehow steal the movie. The friendship they form is pure, and Glordon’s the most loveable character ever. I love watching movies where the characters are so cute and sweet. Glordon is so wholesome. I would die for him.

Edgerly gives a fantastic performance, as does Oscar-winner Zoe Saldaña as Aunt Olga. She’s a very human character. The best thing about her is that you can get a sense of a whole life that she’s lived before the events of the movie. She has so much going on while the events of the movie are happening, and she’s written with so much nuance. All of these performances bring a touching tale to life. It’s a burst of life and magic that I hope more and more people watch, especially those who have yearned for more theatrically released original films.

Despite how excited I am for many of the movies coming out this summer and the quality of the films we’ve had, if you look at the summer movie slate from May to August, nearly every major release is a sequel, a remake, or based on existing IP. The value of originality in cinema cannot be understated, and when you get a really good original movie in theaters, this is the time to support it. Elio is classic Pixar at its best. Emotionally resonant, visually stunning, and brimming with heart. The film blends intergalactic spectacle with an intimate story about identity, loneliness, and connection. Kibreab delivers a standout vocal performance as a boy thrust into the universe’s spotlight while still figuring out who he is. It’s a funny, thrilling, and deeply moving adventure that reminds us how even the smallest voices can make the biggest impact.

SCORE: 8/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.

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Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Elio review.

Source: Comingsoon.net