In Pixar’s Elemental, Ember, a young woman made of fire, is expected to take over her father’s shop one day, if only she could keep her temper under control. Then she meets Wade, a young man made of water, and falls for him, even though everyone around them insists that elements don’t mix.
Should your kids see it, and how do you talk about it afterward? This review from Down the Hobbit Hole helps with both. The blog is run by a small team of Christian bloggers, each with a nickname like Hobbit, Elf or Ent, who write mostly about movies, books, church, family and education.
It starts with what parents want to know at a glance: rating, length, a suggested age of 6 and up and a short content note. A summary and an honest review follow. The reviewer enjoyed the romance, the humor and the visuals, was drawn most to Ember’s relationship with her father, Bernie, and wished Wade’s story with his own father had gotten more room. There isn’t much to worry about content-wise beyond some kissing and two very mild jokes that allude to sex. The bigger concern is the slow pace, which may test the patience of younger kids.
The heart of the post is five lessons from the film: our emotions can tell us something important, the past doesn’t have to decide the future, prejudice can be overcome, talking openly is healthier than bottling things up, and we’re better together. The review closes with five discussion questions you can use at the dinner table, on the drive home or in your kids’ group.
Read it before movie night to decide if Elemental is a good fit for your family, and keep it handy afterward to turn the movie into a real conversation.
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This review by the Down the Hobbit Hole team first appeared on their blog, Down the Hobbit Hole. Pulse published a German version in September 2023 (in German).
