It's really a shame how they marketed this. It's like they cherry-picked all the weakest aspects of the film to showcase, and then totally glossed over the actual great parts of the story. I have to say, I came to overall enjoy it, but even that is in spite of its issues. Thanks for reviewing it for us!

Honestly i wasnt intrasted in this movie until reviews came out talking about Embers immigrant plotline which now i wish was the main focus on the marketing.

Good review I also became less interested in this movie the more it got advertised. Earlier this year, I was painting Ember in my art class and now I don’t feel like buying tickets for this movie. Thought thank you for giving an informative review without spoiling the movie

You forgot to mention Carl and Ellie during the "romantic duos" part.

Personally, I love this movie and have it in my top 5 Pixar movies. I think the primary plot had to with Ember wanting to honor her family's sacrifice and take over the shop. It's message is about accomodating immigrants and I think they handled it really well without being over the top. I saw it twice and it was even better on the second viewing. The movie's marketing was reaaaally bad though. Probably one of the worst for a high budget animated movie.

Yeah if I'm being honest, I cared way more about the father-daughter stuff going on than the boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. I don't know what it was but I just wasn't all that invested in Ember and Wade as a couple. But I felt so bad for what Ember was going through with her family and how she was trying with the shop customers but had a meltdown.

God I hope Elio is good

I loved the movie. It was beautiful. I think people should just enjoy a good Pixar movie. Everything is okay, the world isn’t going to end if you say something good about a Pixar movie. The soundtrack is absolutely wonderful. I’ve seen it two times I’m so excited to see it again!!

It's not perfect... but a hot-mess, it most definitely is not. I believe you completely missed the plot of the film... which was "learn to make connections" with those around you, and yourself, even if they are your polar opposite personality/Spirituality. That's why, to your point, the 4 Elements represent not a racial allegory, but rather the 4 core spiritual elements. Air is the fun, free-spirited, Earth is it's opposite, grounded, steady and stable... that's why at the end of the film, Gail is surprised to see Fern is a Windbreaker fan, as that would go against his core Earth Spirituality... but that's the key plot and message of the film, saying you'll never be whole, until you have a complete understanding of all 4 Elements, including yourself... or metaphorically, fix the leak in your pipes. Water is the element of change and adaptability, but also wishy-washy. Lastly Fire is the element of power, in terms of self-reliance, dedication, selflessness, fueled by a burning passion. Wade was raised with unconditional love, no matter what he did, the career he pursued or whether he achieved success or failure... he could outright run away, and he'd still be loved... which much like buying your kid every toy they ask for, as soon as they ask for it... the end result no matter how positive the reaction, is emptiness... that's why Wade feels hollow, despite the support... he's never felt anything genuine, and is searching for that, filling that void in his life. Cue Ember. Ember's parents loved and supported her too, but they inadvertently cast a massive shadow over her by virtue of her upbringing. They left everything behind, were effectively outcast, built a store, and literally founded Firetown. Everybody knows Ember and her family, and their complete selflessness towards the community. But despite being phenomenal communicators, and connecting amazingly well with the residents of Firetown, they fail miserably at communicating their expectations of Ember to her. They aren't "Turning Red" or "Encanto" overbearing, yet Ember still is buried in shame... despite all her successes, she believes wholeheartedly her life to be a failure, saying "the only way to repay a sacrifice that great, is to sacrifice your life too"... and she was never told that by her parents... they had no idea, and she was too ashamed to tell them. Ember, despite all her messiness... or rather, because of it, gave Wade the genuine connection he needed to grow and become whole, true to the films core plot and message. Wade showed Ember how to connect with the city, the residents and customers of Firetown, her family, and herself. Ember's arc definitely takes center stage, but Wade's Spiritual growth is not to be taken lightly either... they completed eachother... fixed the leaks in their pipes... but not before Ember's fully burst... and only then, did her parents realize their grave miscommunication, and Ember was finally able to have the strength to have the heart-to-heart with them... it was beautifully done... and that final scene before she leaves, where she affirmed to herself she was worthy of her parents legacy, who then returned and affirmed that in her... that nearly brought me to tears, and I've never cried in a movie before... let alone been brought that close, so many times. I can't relate to the immigration stuff, but the dynamic between Ember and her parents hit me right in the gut... then yanked out my heart... it was just so wholesome and genuine. By no means is this a perfect film, I'd give it 8/10... and I can't recommend it for kids under 8, just because it's a pure psychological plot, to all your points, doesn't really have any comedic relief... but I'm glad Pixar is in theaters again, and made a solid attempt at telling a story geared towards teens and adults... and I really hope this thing becomes a sleeper hit. Oh, and to your question about the whole "elements don't mix" thing... notice it's only the Fire-people saying that... as everyone else is shown getting along just fine... which was also a major aspect of the whole "make connections" plot, from the fire-perspective. I hope that helps, take care my friend!

Wait holy fuck what's that outro music?

Why did you watch this? Why not just watch Across The Spider-Verse for the 200th time like a normal person?