Disney’s Elemental: Good Chemistry or Weird Science? | TruPlay Parent’s Guide

Disney and Pixar’s Elemental (2023) is an animated film that blends romance and comedy into a unique story. As one of Pixar’s more recent offerings, it has sparked discussions about its narrative, quality, and deeper messages. In this article, we’ll explore what Elemental is about, how it stacks up against other Disney and Pixar movies, its lessons on human connection, how its message aligns with biblical teachings, and whether it’s appropriate for children.

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What Is Disney’s Elemental About?

Elemental takes place in Element City, a sprawling metropolis where anthropomorphic representations of fire, water, earth, and air live together—though not always harmoniously. The story centers on Ember Lumen (voiced by Leah Lewis), a young woman with a fiery temper, and Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie), a laid-back water element who works as a city inspector. When one of Ember’s outbursts damages her family’s shop, Wade steps in to issue citations, threatening its closure. Determined to save her immigrant parents’ legacy, Ember teams up with Wade to fix the damage, leading to an unexpected friendship that blossoms into romance.

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The film serves as an allegory for the immigrant experience, drawing inspiration from director Peter Sohn’s Korean-American heritage. Fire elements, like Ember’s family, face prejudice and segregation, reflecting real-world struggles of cultural integration. As Ember and Wade navigate their differences, they challenge societal norms, proving that opposites can not only coexist but thrive together.

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How Does Elemental Compare in Quality and Popularity to Other Disney and Pixar Movies?

Elemental doesn’t reach the heights of Pixar hits such as Toy Story, Inside Out, Up, or Coco, which blend originality with profound emotional resonance. It didn’t quite meet the challenge of depicting characters made of fire with charm and lovability. Its plot is formulaic, its pacing is sluggish, and the immigrant metaphor falls flat. Perhaps for these reasons, Elemental underperformed at the box office compared to Disney and Pixar’s past successes, though it has gained traction on Disney+ streaming.

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What Does Elemental Teach About Getting Along With Other People?

Elemental is more or less a parable of empathy, acceptance, and breaking down barriers. Ember and Wade’s journey illustrates that differences—whether cultural, elemental, or personal—don’t have to divide. Their initial mistrust mirrors societal prejudices, but as they collaborate, they discover shared values and strengths. Ember learns to temper her anger, while Wade gains courage, showing how relationships can foster personal growth.

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The film emphasizes communication and understanding as keys to harmony. Ember’s family initially rejects Wade due to stereotypes about water elements, but his kindness dismantles their biases. This reflects a universal truth: getting along requires seeing beyond surface differences to the humanity—or elementality—within. For families, Elemental offers a springboard to discuss empathy, acceptance, and other relational values.

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How Does the Message of Elemental Compare to the Teachings of the Bible?

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Elemental’s lessons are thoroughly secular, without reference to faith, but the film’s storyline, though simplistic, is consistent with biblical values of compassion, love, and reconciliation. The Bible says to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), a command mirrored in Ember and Wade’s choice to embrace each other despite societal opposition. The film’s emphasis on grace and forgiveness also echoes biblical teachings, as Ember’s parents eventually come to accept Wade, supplying a possible point of discussion for Christian families.

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Is Elemental Appropriate for Christian families?

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Rated PG for “brief language, thematic elements, and mild peril,” Elemental will find acceptance among Christian families, though (as with much that Disney produces today), there are some head-tilting moments. The “language” includes mild phrases like “lazy ash” (a pun for a profanity) and insults such as “stupid” or “jerk.” Thematic elements—discrimination, family pressure, and romance—may require explanation for younger viewers, but they’re presented in an age-appropriate way. The “mild peril” involves a flood scene, but it’s far less intense than action-heavy Pixar films such as The Incredibles.

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The romance between Ember and Wade is chaste. Subtle LGBTQ representation (e.g., background characters) has sparked some debate, though it may go unnoticed by many viewers. Common Sense Media suggests it’s best for ages 6+, but parents of sensitive or younger kids (under 4) might prescreen it for the slower pace and emotional themes. Overall, Elemental is family-friendly, offering valuable lessons.

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Explore a Fantasy World that Relies on Biblical Truth

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Today’s parents and kids don’t have to settle for media that have to be filtered, curated, or explained. There are choices that not only don’t compromise but can actually reinforce Christian character and Biblical values.

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A perfect example: the TruPlay app, which offers countless hours of games, comics, and animated shorts that feature high quality art, action-packed games, and thoughtful storytelling that are not only entertaining but are also infused with God’s Truth. A Christian resource for all ages, but especially for children, it is sometimes referred to as “the Netflix of Christian mobile games for children.”

TruPlay employs a subscription-based model, which allows children and adults to play, read, and have fun in an environment with no in-app purchases, no ads, and no in-app texting or chats. This means, of course, that kids can't spend money, buy "loot," click to go to outside and unknown sites, and "chat" with possible predators.

Beyond that, however, TruPlay offers even more than safety; its ever-expanding selection of games includes Bible stories, Christian themes and values, and countless hours of engaging fun for children, youth, and adults.

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TruPlay's website (TruPlayGames.com) clearly details the app's offerings, and free downloads and trials are available in both the Apple App Store and GooglePlay. Explore the following links to unlock a safer gaming experience for your kids:

https://www.truplaygames.com/games-more

https://www.truplaygames.com/user-registration

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