Disney’s latest animated film “Elemental”, marks a significant milestone as the studio’s first featuring a non-binary character. However, despite the anticipation surrounding this inclusive representation, the children’s movie is experiencing a disappointing performance at the box office during its opening weekend.
The Pixar film “Elemental,” introduced the studio’s first “non-binary” character, according to a voice actor for the film, had a disappointing opening weekend with earnings of just $29.5 million. This marked the lowest opening weekend in Pixar’s renowned creative direction and the support of Disney, the film failed to meet already-low expectations, according to Variety.
The New York Times also highlighted the lackluster performance of Pixar’s “Elemental,” while The Hollywood Reporter mentioned that moviegoers were more interested in other films like “The Flash,” which faced challenges due to the controversies surrounding its lead actor, Ezra Miller.
“Elemental” gained attention for featuring its first non-binary character named “Lake,” portrayed by voice actor Kai Ava Hauser, who enthusiastically shared the news on Twitter. However, Pixar did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital regarding the film’s reception. This underwhelming performance adds to a series of controversial decisions made by Disney this year, including a significant subscriber loss on its streaming service Disney+ and controversies surrounding shows like “Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.”
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Moreover, Pixar Studio experienced job cuts, eliminating 75 positions, which Reuters described as the first significant job cuts in decades for the studio. These cuts followed the box office disappointment of another Pixar film, “Lightyear,” which faced challenges internationally due to its depiction of same-sex relationships and received a lukewarm response in the United States. Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter, acknowledged that the film may have demanded too much from its audience.
What is “Elemental” all about?
The storyline of the film revolves around the personification of elemental forces, including fire, water, earth, and air, living in the vibrant setting of Element City. Within this backdrop, romance blossoms between a fire element named Ember Lumen (voiced by Leah Lewis), and a water element named Wade Ripple (voiced by Mamoudou Athie). However, their relationship faces significant challenges as their opposing nature could potentially result in perilous consequences.
Elemental’s elevating concept and message
According to Hollywood Reporter, “Elemental” is described as a captivating concept that can only be brought to life through stunning and advanced computer animation. The film explores a significant and thought-provoking theme of ethnic conflict and the importance of racial tolerance. It manages to strike a balance by incorporating humor that appeals to both children and adults, although the humor in this particular film is primarily geared toward children aged 10 and below. Furthermore, the plot of the movie is crafted meticulously, hitting all the right moments and beats precisely when needed.
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According to USA Today, “Elemental” fearlessly confronts issues such as racism, immigration, and xenophobia. The film delves into the contrasting background of its main characters, Wade belongs to a privileged aquatic community residing in a luxurious high-rise, while Ember, an immigrant from the fiery realm, is determined to honor her parents by managing their shop that caters to the unique dietary needs of fire beings, primarily involving wood consumption.
Director Peter Sohn openly acknowledged that “Elemental” took on a more somber tone, attributing it to personal circumstances. He revealed that the loss of both his parents during the film’s production deeply affected him, leading to a sense of anger toward the world that seeped into the movie’s creation.
According to reports, Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter had a discussion with Peter Sohn regarding the disheartening and gloomy tone of the children’s film. Sohn explained that the aspect of xenophobia had taken a prominent role in the movie, but in his quest to pay tribute to his parents, he realized that it was not in the right direction. Sohn’s intention was to create a hopeful narrative that centered around a universal theme of gratitude towards individuals who make sacrifices for others.
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