A secret race of mer-people live their quiet lives off the Italian coast and raise their quiet children to fear the surface-dwelling monsters that sometimes pass overhead in wooden rowing machines. Luca is one such good boy, obediently spooked by what lies above, but also a little intrigued by the promise of a bigger, broader, brighter world. When he befriends another, more daring child, the two begin testing limits. Limits imposed by their parents and society, but also those within themselves. They push each other like any good, close, young friends, bolder together than they'd ever be alone, and share the pleasures of discovery that result.
What follows is a beautiful coming of age story, set in the lush summer of a sleepy seaside Mediterranean village during the mid-twentieth century. It embodies the awestruck sense of limitless possibility that typifies the nearing of adolescence, as well as the golden warmth and sure, steady pacing of Italian cinema. Luca isn't afraid to linger in a moment, to better appreciate its beauty, and the masters at Pixar have once again outdone themselves in this respect. It feels redundant to mention at this point, but these guys know what it takes to make the screen come alive, while also showing enough restraint to avoid overloading the senses. Just another entry in a long line of stunners. The arching storyline is similarly rich, simple and effective. There's a cocky bully-type in town, a resilient young girl tired of taking his crap and a triathlon proving ground (of sorts), plus the natural tension surrounding the transformed sea-kids' fear of discovery. Nothing groundbreaking, really, but it's all efficiently managed with a good sense of timing, a playful spirit and a whole sackful of delicious regional flavor.
I wouldn't put this one on a pedestal beside Toy Story 3 or Wall-E, but it's comfortably around the top of the next tier. Light, beautiful, warm-hearted and hopeful... just like a well-spent summer vacation.
Review by drqshadowBlockedParent2021-07-08T19:22:10Z
A secret race of mer-people live their quiet lives off the Italian coast and raise their quiet children to fear the surface-dwelling monsters that sometimes pass overhead in wooden rowing machines. Luca is one such good boy, obediently spooked by what lies above, but also a little intrigued by the promise of a bigger, broader, brighter world. When he befriends another, more daring child, the two begin testing limits. Limits imposed by their parents and society, but also those within themselves. They push each other like any good, close, young friends, bolder together than they'd ever be alone, and share the pleasures of discovery that result.
What follows is a beautiful coming of age story, set in the lush summer of a sleepy seaside Mediterranean village during the mid-twentieth century. It embodies the awestruck sense of limitless possibility that typifies the nearing of adolescence, as well as the golden warmth and sure, steady pacing of Italian cinema. Luca isn't afraid to linger in a moment, to better appreciate its beauty, and the masters at Pixar have once again outdone themselves in this respect. It feels redundant to mention at this point, but these guys know what it takes to make the screen come alive, while also showing enough restraint to avoid overloading the senses. Just another entry in a long line of stunners. The arching storyline is similarly rich, simple and effective. There's a cocky bully-type in town, a resilient young girl tired of taking his crap and a triathlon proving ground (of sorts), plus the natural tension surrounding the transformed sea-kids' fear of discovery. Nothing groundbreaking, really, but it's all efficiently managed with a good sense of timing, a playful spirit and a whole sackful of delicious regional flavor.
I wouldn't put this one on a pedestal beside Toy Story 3 or Wall-E, but it's comfortably around the top of the next tier. Light, beautiful, warm-hearted and hopeful... just like a well-spent summer vacation.