The film Luca was released on June 16th, 2021. Viewers can watch this film through Disney+ Hotstar or in countries where Disney+ is not available, Luca will be playing in theatres.
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Luca – Film Summary (No Spoilers)
Nothing describes this film quite literally like the saying “fish out of water”. Because this film basically is about that. Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, this 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 rambunctious newfound best friend, Alberto. However, all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: he is a sea monster from another world just below the water’s surface.
My Review (Spoilers Ahead!)
Before I begin, let me just say that the attention to details is simply amazing! The animators of Luca have set yet another yardstick for quality animation. The stunning landscapes with vivid blue water, the paved streets of Portorosso and even the slight distortion of the character’s voices when they’re talking underwater make viewing all the more pleasurable. The trains looked so real too.
When the film had just started, I thought to myself “It’s seemed like it’s going to be like Tangled, but an underwater version.” Well, that isn’t entirely wrong. In my opinion, the plot between these two films are quite similar. The main character is forbidden to see the outside world, until someone came along and nudged him out. Of course trouble followed but in the end everything worked out.
One thing I wished that the filmmakers would do is to not make the film so predictable. However, if one looks long enough, the simple story line contains so many gems of lessons from every day life. The animation is spectacular though. You have to hand it to Pixar. The film has all of Pixar’s classic touch.
Pixar has always been able to make the viewers connect and empathise for the characters. When the boys were fighting, it was tragic to watch. Watching the way Giulia expressed concern for Luca and Alberto when she found out their secret was heartwarming. The story wraps up with the message about acceptance. Even though they were labelled as sea monsters at the beginning, the people of Portorosso accepted them after they realised that they were more similar to them in many ways.
Overall, Luca is a film that will make you feel warm, fuzzy and wanting for more. The filmmakers even added a little twist to the story which I found quite amusing. The two grumpy looking ladies who jammed their ice-creams on Luca and Alberto when they knocked into them as they ran into Portorosso the first time were revealed to be sea monsters at the end of the film. You would never have imagined that. Given the fact that the town was filled with fishermen who were intent on capturing sea monsters, it was quite a surprise to know that they had chosen to stay despite the clear and present danger to their own safety.
Lessons – A story about accepting differences
Like every Disney movie there are messages embedded in the story line. One is, differences should not to be feared. To be different is part of the diversity that makes up our world. Hence, differences should be embraced and not feared. Fear brings out extremities in us because what we do not understand can be rather scary sometimes. However, when an effort is made to connect, there are common grounds that will make us realise that we are more similar than we care to admit. I like the last scene where Luca and Alberto parted ways. There is a message embedded there too.
Two boys came together at the start of the story. They are same yet different because the environment becomes them or maybe the other way round. They soon became best buddies as a common goal brought them together. They went different ways when they clashed over the approach. Yet in the end, after they came together they went different ways with a bond of friendship. Like I said, simple story but the messages in it are what we need in our world now. Like most Pixar films, I think I don’t mind watching it a second time.
My rating: ★★★★☆
Film length: 1 hour 36 minutes.
