‘Elio’ is a fun film for the whole family
Category: Movies
Elio is really a cute little boy and one audiences will take to their hearts. He has no friends and feels alone in the world. His parents just died so he lives with his Aunt Olga who works for the army in the space division. Elio feels she does not want him and he tries to get the attention of alien life. With all his heart he wants to be abducted.
Being bullied and alone the little boy desperately wants to find a place where he will be happy and have friends. He feels like the only place for him is in another galaxy.
He is ingenious about getting the attention of alien lifeforms. And one day, lo and behold, he actually gets abducted by aliens and taken to the Communiverse, an organization of interplanetary representatives from various galaxies. There he is mistaken as the leader of Earth.
Well, this kid is so excited to be among people who actually want him that he goes along with it. He is about to become one of them when Lord Grigon appears and wants to join the Communiverse. His tactics are not what they want. He is abusive and gruff, not to mention threatening.
Elio volunteers to mediate between the eccentric aliens and Grigon. Once aboard his ship Elio forms a bond with a cute little alien named Glordon. For once in his life Elio has a true friend. But when the evil Grigon decides to eliminate the Communiverse, Elio and Glordon, who happens to be Grigon’s son, put their heads together and come up with a plan.
This is a colorful and adorable movie. It is both a movie about family and a buddy film at the same time. Will Elio stay among the strange but friendly group of aliens or return to life on earth?
The relationship between Olga and Elio is heartening, especially at the end. She knows he has had a difficult time without his beloved parents. She has found herself in a situation she never expected, but family is family and she loves her nephew with all her heart, even though in the beginning he is a bit of a handful.
For people who have seen the trailers or the posters and wonder about the patch on Elio’s eye, don’t worry. After an attack by a bully he was given the patch while his eye healed – which is does.
What Elio discovers and what an alien tells him is that he is unique. “Unique can sometimes feel like alone.” Elio is not alone. He has the friends in the Communiverse and his Aunt on earth and eventually some like-minded human kids.
It is a touching story with two adorable characters: Elio and Glordon. There are some scenes of violence however it is still a fun film for the entire family and a nice way to spend a summer afternoon. It’s very colorful and extremely inventive when it comes to the array of aliens.
Elio is a cute addition to the Disney/Pixar list of characters.
Elio is rated PG for some action/peril and thematic elements. It opens in theaters June 20, 2025.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
Image courtesy Disney/Pixar