4K Digital Review of Pixar's Elio

 

Elio tells the story of a young boy named Elio (Yonas Kilbreab) who recently just lost both of his parents. Living with his aunt Olga (Zoe Saldana), Elio suffers from loneliness and low self-esteem. Olga is a major in the US Space Force and has no time to be with Elio. She is struggling on how to be a parent and Elio sees this as just another sign that no one wants him. 

Elio overhears that the US Space Force may have come in contact with extraterrestrials, he sends a message to them in hopes they will take him away from Earth. The aliens respond and end up taking him away. These aliens are part of a group of ambassadors of every species of being throughout the universe. They believe that Elio is the leader of Earth and will allow him to join the ambassadors if he can pass some screening tests. This is all Elio has ever wanted to do in life, to belong, to have a purpose. 

The only thing in his way is Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett), a warlord who wants to also become an ambassador for this people. But he is a blood thirsty, war obsessed being that the other ambassadors see and do not allow him to join their group. Lord Grigon is out for revenge and Elio is the only one who can try to stop him. 

Video:

This is an outstanding 4K streaming video transfer. The colors are rich and bright. The space scenes and the ship the ambassadors are on are real standouts here. The details are crisp and sharp. Another wonderful transfer from Disney and Pixar.

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is a winner. Dialogue is crystal clear and the soundtrack immerses you. The surround channels get a good workout from the sounds of spaceships, the fight with Lord Grigon and the welcome to the ambassadors. A solid effort from Disney and Pixar.

Bonus Features:

• Inside the Communiverse: The World and Characters of Elio – Launch behind the scenes with the cast and crew to get an in-depth look at the design and development of our meteoric main characters, as well as the making of all the celestial environments that make up Elio's universe.
• Out of This World: An Astro Q&A – Calling all space enthusiasts! Voice actors Yonas Kibreab (Elio) and Remy Edgerly (Glordon) meet with a real-life astronaut to discuss space travel, possible alien life on other planets, and why it's important to study space.
• Astronomic Art Class: Ooooo and Glordon – Join Nicolle Castro, the lead story artist, as she shares her role on the film and guides viewers through drawing a couple of the film's interstellar characters, Ooooo and Glordon.
• Extraterrestrial Easter Eggs and Fun Facts – Uncover the references and characters from some of your favorite Pixar films hidden throughout Elio, along with other fun facts.
• Galactic Gag Reel – Discover the fun inside the recording booth with the starry voice actors from Disney and Pixar's Elio as they bring their characters to life with some entertaining laughs.
• Deleted Scenes – Check out the scenes that didn't make the final cut:
• Bike Chase
• Garden Party  
• Carver Legend
• Questa's Second Test
• Home Visit

Conclusion:

Elio is a slow burn that sticks the landing for any of us who have felt like we do not belong. A powerfully emotional movie that reminds us that even in the darkest of times we are never alone. And a reminder to embrace what makes us truly unique. Completely unexpected and left me emotionally wrecked. A solid video transfer along with a wonderful audio mix and some fun bonus features makes this a welcomed addition to your library.

Elio is available on digital, 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD.

*The film was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review. The review is strictly my own opinion.*

“Elio” – New Trailer and Advance Tickets Now Available

 

Tickets are now on sale wherever tickets are sold for Disney and Pixar’s “Elio,” the cosmic misadventure that introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession. Opening exclusively in theaters on June 20, “Elio” features a fun and funny array of aliens with whom Elio aligns himself in hopes he can relocate to outer space permanently. Moviegoers who can’t wait till the release date can check out early-access screenings on June 18—check local theaters for more information. Plus, showcasing fun alien characters like liquid supercomputer Ooooo, friendly ambassador Helix, Elio’s new alien friend, Glordon, and space warlord Grigon.

 

For centuries, people have called out to the universe looking for answers—in Disney and Pixar’s all-new feature film “Elio,” the universe calls back! When Elio is beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, Elio’s all in for the epic undertaking. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be. Directed by Madeline Sharafian (“Burrow” Sparkshort), Domee Shi (“Bao” short, “Turning Red”) and Adrian Molina (co-screenwriter/co-director of “Coco”), and produced by Mary Alice Drumm (associate producer of “Coco”), the film features the voices of Yonas Kibreab as Elio, Zoe Saldaña as Aunt Olga, Remy Edgerly as Glordon, Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa and Shirley Henderson as Ooooo. 

Disney and Pixar’s Cosmic Misadventure “Elio” – Teaser Trailer and Poster

 

What if the thing you were searching for found you first? In Pixar Animation Studios’ big-screen comedic misadventure, alien-obsessed Elio discovers the answer to that question when he is transported to the Communiverse, an interplanetary paradise that is home to intelligent life from galaxies far and wide. But when he’s mistaken as Earth’s leader, he’ll have to form unexpected bonds, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions and make sure he doesn’t lose the opportunity to live out his ultimate dream. The new trailer and poster for Disney and Pixar’s “Elio” are now available.  

 

Opening only in theaters June 13, 2025, “Elio” features the voices of Yonas Kibreab as Elio, Zoe Saldaña as Aunt Olga, Remy Edgerly as Glordon, Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa and Shirley Henderson as OOOOO. The film is directed by Madeline Sharafian (“Burrow” Sparkshort), Domee Shi (“Bao” short, “Turning Red”) and Adrian Molina (co-screenwriter/co-director of “Coco”), and produced by Mary Alice Drumm (associate producer of “Coco”). 

Disney and Pixar’s “Elio”—Teaser Trailer, Poster, Images

 

An out-of-this-world teaser trailer, poster and images for Disney and Pixar’s 28th feature film, “Elio,” are now available. Revealed are additions to the voice cast: Jameela Jamil and Brad Garrett join previously announced America Ferrera and Yonas Kibreab in the intergalactic misadventure that is scheduled to take off next spring—March 1, 2024.  

 

For centuries, people have called out to the universe looking for answers—in Disney and Pixar’s all-new movie “Elio,” the universe calls back! The original feature film introduces Elio, an underdog with an active imagination who finds himself inadvertently beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador to the rest of the universe, and completely unprepared for that kind of pressure, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, survive a series of formidable trials and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be. 

 

Directed by Adrian Molina (screenwriter and co-director of “Coco”) and produced by Mary Alice Drumm (associate producer of “Coco”), the film features the voices of America Ferrera as Elio’s mom, Olga; Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa; Brad Garrett as Ambassador Grigon; and Yonas Kibreab as the title character. “Elio” releases in theaters March 1, 2024.