Will Disney and Pixar's box office magic spell continue this summer? The new release 'Elio' opens today (June 18th), amid high expectations fueled by glowing reviews from both domestic and international media.
'Elio' is an emotional adventure film about a lonely boy on Earth who suddenly gets summoned to space one day and meets a special friend. Following 'Inside Out's focus on sadness and 'Inside Out 2's emphasis on anxiety, 'Elio' zeroes in on the emotion of loneliness.
The story of loneliness, told through Disney and Pixar's delicate storytelling and emotional depth, is generating significant buzz. Elio, an 11-year-old boy living with his aunt after losing his parents, feels like a burden and keeps his distance. Feeling like an outsider with no family or friends on Earth, he seeks his place somewhere in the universe. In a galaxy made up of various planets, Elio meets a special friend, Golden, who shares his sense of isolation, and confronts his long-held loneliness head-on.
Moreover, through a grand journey to save the galaxy, loneliness transforms into hope and courage, becoming the driving force behind discovering the true meaning of family and friendship. The film shines a light on the multifaceted nature of loneliness, drawing empathy from the audience and conveying the message that loneliness can be the starting point for genuinely connecting with others, offering deep emotional resonance.
Accidentally summoned to space due to a communication error, the landscapes that unfold before Elio are filled with overwhelming imagination and fantastic visuals. From the interplanetary organization Communiverse to a variety of alien life forms and planets, Disney and Pixar's new universe comes alive, instantly pulling viewers into the movie.
The mysterious curves, translucent images, fluid movements, and rich colors, as if imbued with starlight, captivate the audience. This pinnacle of Disney and Pixar's technology promises to give viewers a thrilling experience, as if they are joining Elio on his adventure. The fantastic visuals of 'Elio,' beyond the limits of imagination, can be enjoyed in an even more special way in various premium formats like 4DX and Dolby Cinema.
The film's richly drawn characters are also a major draw. Elio, a loner on Earth but unexpectedly the representative of Earth in space, fills the story with his dynamic presence. Alongside him, the endearing alien life form Golden disarms the audience with its charm.
Despite a prolonged slump in the Korean box office, Disney and Pixar have achieved significant success. Last June's release, 'Inside Out 2,' drew an impressive 8.79 million viewers, becoming the summer's box office king. As 'Elio' launches this summer of 2025, there's growing interest in whether it will continue the box office magic of 'Inside Out 2.'
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)