FILM REVIEW: ELIO (PG) ESP RATING: 4/5

It’s such a shame that original animations struggle to make the big box-office bucks nowadays.

Case in point is this new animation from Disney/Pixar, that despite being a heartwarming sci-fi adventure, just hasn’t gained the traction of established franchises in their pantheon – if the opening weekend take is anything to go by.

This enchanting tale of cosmic misadventure involves misunderstood, socially-awkward young boy Elio (Yonas Kibreab) – still grieving the death of his parents – who has been taken in by his Air Force major Aunt, Olga (Avatar’s Zoe Saldana).

As a form of escapism, Elio is amazed by the idea of discovering life in outer space, and goes to the beach every day, pleading to be abducted by aliens. Then one day his dream becomes reality, when he sends a call out to the stars via Olga’s workplace, and he’s beamed up to an interplanetary colony – being mistaken for the leader of Earth.

Here he becomes ambassador for his new home and has to help convince alien warlord Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett) to not attack the colony – as part of the deal so he can stay in space – while making friends with his adorable son Glordon (Remy Edgerly) in the process. By the way, Glordon is without doubt one of the cutest Disney characters in quite some time. You can’t help but love him/it.

And even though this is pretty simplistic paint-by-numbers stuff as a whole, it’s set to a breathtaking galactic backdrop – think Disney crossed with NASA – and its warm, emotional underbelly, makes this another worthy entry in the Pixar canon.

It’s just such a shame that families will generally go for live-action remakes and sequels ahead of this – because films like Elio then don’t receive the kudos they absolutely deserve.

Which sadly won’t take this to infinity and beyond – despite a whole lot of memorable otherworldly stuff to enjoy here.

ESP Rating: 4/5

Gavin Miller

Joshua Miller (Gavin’s 11-year-old son) Rating: 4/5 as well!

Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now

Voice Cast: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Remy Edgerly & Brad Garrett

Running Time: 1 Hr 38 Mins

Directors: Madeleine Sharafian, Domee Shi & Adrian Molina

Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough

For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe Cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk