Don’t expect huge emotional waves to come crashing in from Luca, Pixar’s literal fish-out-of-water tale. It doesn’t dive as deep as some of our other favorites from the animation juggernaut, although the ending will surely tug on your heart strings. But with his first feature film, director Enrico Casarosa draws on small-scale storytelling that’s primarily straightforward and simple. However, there’s nothing wrong with that when its affability, meaning, and beauty is squarely intact – giving elation for kids and adults wanting to jump in and join the fun.
There’s few settings more gorgeous than the Italian Riviera, and out in its waters is a young sea creature named Luca (Jacob Tremblay) whose parents (Maya Rudolph and Jim Gaffigan) have always forbidden him from going up to the surface. They do it out of love, yet their sheltered son’s curiosity can’t be scared out of him as he knows there’s a world that exists on shore. His run-in with fellow sea creature Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) gives him a glimpse. Luca is a good boy and tells his parents where he’s been and, of course, gets into big trouble. He’s going to be sent to live in the deep for the season with his Uncle Ugo (Sacha Baron Cohen).
Luca’s courage kicks in as he runs away to go experience a whole new kind of life with his new (and only) best bud…camouflaged as humans. Fingers crossed, Tremblay and Grazer became pals in real life because they’re a pitch-perfect pairing. The innocence and hunger for adventure they’re able to express feels positively genuine.
Alberto appears to be a terrific tour guide for Luca, teaching him the ways of living on land since he’s had to fend for himself due to his father always being gone. Even so, Alberto isn’t all knowing like he wants Luca to believe. He’s made up a few things along the way, which gets a couple of chuckles. They’re constantly having to be careful of getting wet because a tiny drop reveals their true identity. And in this little town – the residents don’t take too kindly to these “monsters” of the sea.
This doesn’t stop Luca and Alberto from becoming fast friends with Giulia (Emma Berman) who’s an outsider herself. She tells them about a triathlon that includes swimming, eating, and biking – and if they can beat the local ridiculer and win – they’ll get prize money that Luca and Alberto want to cash in for a Vespa to travel the world on together. Howbeit, that’s if they can make it to the race. While desperately trying to stay dry so not to have their creature side come out, Luca and Alberto’s friendship finds itself in troubled waters. All the while, Luca’s parents are frantically searching for him, splashing every child if they must to find him.
Silenzio, Bruno!
Told through childlike wonder, Luca is a joyous journey that’s funny and full of warmth. Vibrant, kinetic animation paints its themes of friendship, conquering your fears, freedom, and acceptance swimmingly.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
