Elemental review: Pixar’s new movie is sweet enough but concept is overused and inconsistent

Elemental

(PG) 102mins

★★★☆☆

THERE’S not much that can break just about any human heart.

But Pixar certainly has over the years.

PA

Elemental is a love story with moments of family-friendly fun[/caption]

With a back catalogue that includes the gut-wrenching story of love and loss in Up, and the strength of friendship in Toy Story, I watched this latest film from the studio with concern for my mascara.

It is the story of Ember, (Leah Lewis) who is made of fire – one of the four elements that make up the populace of Element City (fire, air, water, earth).

Her parents own the family store, Fire Town, and wish for her to take it over.

But soon her fiery temper gets her in trouble and she meets weepy water guy Wade (Mamoudou Athie), who insists on reporting her wrongdoings to the council.

Although initially she finds him frustrating, the pair soon form a precarious relationship – something that’s unheard of in their world.

This is because Ember could evaporate Wade, and Wade could distinguish Ember.

Obviously there’s wider meaning to this elemental love story, and moments of family-friendly fun.

But while the story is sweet enough, the concept is overused and inconsistent.

Your mascara will be safe.

Wham!

(12A) 92mins

★★★★☆

THEY were the unlikeliest of pals at Bushey Meads School in Hertfordshire in 1975.

But what started out as a classroom friendship went on to become one of the greatest pop bands of all time – Wham!

© 2023 Netflix, Inc.

Netflix’s Wham! follows George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley on their journey from schoolmates to superstars[/caption]

And now a Netflix documentary follows George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley on their journey from schoolmates to superstars after being thrust into the spotlight wearing neon tracksuits and singing their debut track Wham Rap! in June 1982.

In previously unseen interviews, George credits Andrew with turning him into a confident solo star.

Andrew recalls how George took the reins of their song-writing: “The goals we set could only be attained with the quality of writing he produced.”

Inspired by Andrew’s misspelt note on the bedroom door, George penned Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, which became their first UK and US No1 hit.

This documentary reminds us that after his tragic death on Christmas Day 2016, there will always be a George Michael-shaped hole in the music industry.

And it does a very solid job of filling it for a short time.

Emily Webber