Disney/Pixar’s newest movie Luca is a heartfelt, gorgeously animated adventure that is a short, sweet reminder of fun-filled summer days with new friends.
Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, the original animated feature is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta, and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: he is a sea monster from another world just below the water’s surface.
After being a little disappointed with Pixar’s last movie Soul, I was hopeful that Luca would be somewhat better and exceeded all of my expectations. It’s not trying to be a masterpiece with groundbreaking animation. There is a more down-to-earth and meaningful message for kids and even adults to never hide your true self and always be yourself no matter what people think.
Director Enrico Casarosa brings a lot of enthusiasm to the project and that relentless energy carries the film. The attention to detail on the Italian coastal town of Portorosso is visually stunning. You’re immediately transported to this quaint little town that is just bursting with vibrant colors and crazy characters. One of them is Giulia (voiced by Emma Berman), an endearing, yet feisty little girl who takes Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) and Luca (Jacob Tremblay) home when they feel completely out of place. This only leads to a lot of hilarious hijinks as the boys try to learn how to be human.
The voice acting by Tremblay and Grazer completely captures the curiosity and innocence of the boys as they embark on this new adventure. The film is mainly focused on friendship, and their characters make a great pair, making it easy to follow their journey.
Most of the narrative is centered around our characters winning a local race, which feels a little low for a Disney/Pixar movie, however, it doesn’t take away from the overall story. Luca is an endearing movie and the voice cast, animation, and background score are enough to keep you invested this summer.
Disney/Pixar’s Luca is now streaming exclusively on Disney+
What did you think of the film? Sound off in the comments.
