The Disney Pixar combination has been responsible for some of the most charming, heartwarming and genre-defining films for as far back as many of their fans can likely remember. Many of their poignant, coming-of-age stories are designed to shine a spotlight on what are often real-world social or personal issues that we have all likely faced at some point or another. These themes are then unpacked and resolved across bright and colourful worlds by larger-than-life characters who often carrying flaws all too familiar to us as an audience. It’s a formula that continues to delight audiences of all ages, and one that Enrico Casarosa’s Luca delivers on beautifully. It’s not one of the most complex or layered examples to join the catalogue of other Pixar films, but instead it’s a story that seems to revel in its freedom and simplicity. By focusing on just a few key themes, Luca manages to explore each of them deeply – ultimately crafting one of the brightest and most charming adventures you’ll find on screen this year.
A quick opening act introduces the audience to titular character Luca (Jacob Tremblay), a young ‘sea monster’ who has grown tired of tedious days spent farming alongside his protective family and combing the sea floor for relics of the world on the surface. Things suddenly take a turn when he meets Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer), another young monster who takes Luca under his wing and introduces him to life above the water. After discovering that his form changes to that of a human when on dry land, Luca decides to join Alberto on an adventure to the local seaside town where they intend to begin a life of freedom on the road. Things become complicated when the pair discovers that their dream may not be as easy to achieve as first expected, and that the local humans have pretty strong feelings about Luca’s kind.
It’s a plot that hits many familiar beats, but Luca manages to put enough of an original spin on things to keep the story fresh and exciting. You’ve seen other films explore the challenges of friendship, growing up and being different, but have you seen them delivered by colourful Italian sea creatures? It also keeps things fairly lighthearted for the most part, steering clear of some of the more dramatic plot twists or dire villains that similar films play to really turn the emotional screws. Casarosa hits a specific tone with the film, drawing on his childhood life and friendships to craft a world that somehow feels both foreign while also as welcoming as a long overdue trip home.
This general vibe comes largely from the characters of Luca, who collectively go a long way to create a lively community while showcasing the Italian culture. Both Tremblay and Grazer bring a youthful energy and passion to Luca and Alberto respectively, helping their on-screen bond to be as strong as the story demands. Luca’s mother Daniela (Maya Rudolph) and father and Lorenzo (Jim Gaffigan) fill the roles of anxious, overprotective parents that will be familiar to fans of similar films, however they hit their key moments effectively without dragging on the adventure’s momentum too much. One of the most influential characters comes in the form of young human girl Giulia (Emma Berman), who meets the boys as they arrive in town while she struggles with her own identity issues and obnoxious local bully Ercole (Saverio Raimondo). Berman brings an infectious positivity to her character, which immediately endears her to the audience and injects enough energy into the story to keep things flying high until the credits roll. Special mention also goes out to Giulia’s father Massimo (Marco Barricelli) and cat Machiavelli, who both play strong, silent types until it’s time to deliver some of Luca’s more touching and lighthearted moments.
All of these characters and the world around them are brought to life even more by Luca‘s stunning visuals both above and below the sea. As expected from a Disney Pixar film, no corner has been cut when it comes to creating a colourful and vibrant cast of characters and backdrops. The crystal clear sea and rolling hills surrounding the idyllic Italian town deliver what most of us would dream a European seaside looks like on the edge of summer. Similarly, each of the characters have personality traits and stories woven into them simply through their appearance, with the famous animation studio working their usual magic to make each character come alive with colour and emotion. Its particularly hard to refer to Luca and Alberto as ‘sea monsters’ when their water forms are made up of beautifully coloured, coral-like scales that flow on the water as the two glide along from one picturesque spot to another.
These strengths all help Luca secure a spot among Disney Pixar’s huge catalogue of poignant, thoughtful and visually impressive successes. It may not revolutionise the genre or take any of its themes to strange, new places, but it still manages to deliver a mesmerising tale that should strike a chord with audiences of all ages, featuring an inventive plot that is enough to set it apart from much of the rest. With a gorgeous Italian setting full of charismatic characters, Luca is like a breath of warm summer air among the darker, more intense films doing the rounds at the moment. Let it brighten up your winter this year, unless you really have something against pasta, sunshine or harmless, bicycle-riding sea creatures.
Luca stars Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Saverio Raimondo, Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan & Marco Barricelli – streaming now on Disney+.