Luca

Image credit: Wikipedia

Continuing on with catching up on new films from Disney, the other night partner and I curled up on the couch for to check out Pixar’s newest film: Luca.

A little reminiscent of The Little Mermaid meets The Fox and the Hound, Luca tells the story of a shy sea monster who develops a curiosity for the surface and the humans (‘land monsters’) that live there. When he befriends a reclusive fellow sea monster named Alberto, the two decide to run away together to escape the deep-sea exile that Luca’s over-protective family determines will keep him safe. Undercover in a small fishing village on the Italian Riviera, the two become friends with a human girl and learn more about the world above water. 

This is a very sweet movie and a bit of a dramatic change for Pixar in that it explores themes that are less abstract, complicated, and adult. Centred on friendship and identity, Luca tells a recognisable story that’s made fresh by its unconventional characters. Where Ariel is headstrong and reckless, Luca is shy and super-cautious. Alberto as the best friend character begins the story as arrogant and manipulative, transforming into a true friend midway through. The token female character is an outsider and underdog: loud, a little odd, and not ‘typically pretty’. This fresh filter of such recognisable characters, particularly in previous Disney films, is what gives the film the edge that makes it stand out. 

The story itself is quite easy to follow and predict what’s going to happen, but because the characters are different, it doesn’t become boring or a hindrance. The animation is gorgeous with the use of light and a cool colour palette really giving the feel of an Italian holiday and the casual blend between English and Italian adds to the experience. 

Image credit: Pink News

It’s not Pixar’s most beautiful or groundbreaking movie, but it’s a sweet one that reminds us that it’s ok to enjoy films that are just entertaining and not thought provoking or intellectual. 

Director: Enrico Casarosa, 2021

Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Saverio Raimondo, Maya Rudolph, Marco Barricelli, Jim Gaffigan, Sandy Martin, Marina Massironi, Peter Sohn, Lorenzo Crisci & Sasha Baron Cohen