📖 Episode Description / Show Notes

In this episode of Sparrows UnderReview, Stacey and JR dive into Pixar’s Elio (2024) — a sci-fi coming-of-age story about a boy who finds family among the stars.

We discuss:

• Why Elio slipped under the radar compared to Disney’s bigger releases (Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon)

• The movie’s themes of family, sacrifice, and finding your place in the world

• Pixar’s animation style and how it stacks up against DreamWorks and Studio Ghibli

• The lack of marketing and merchandising that may have doomed its box office run

• Whether Elio deserves cult classic status despite its commercial struggles

1. Elio delivers an emotional story about family and belonging, even if it feels like an “off-brand” Pixar release.

2. The villain design stood out — strong enough to fit into a bigger Disney/Marvel franchise.

3. Pixar’s animation continues to set the standard, even in smaller releases.

4. Poor marketing and timing (released against massive blockbusters) limited its success.

5. Despite mixed reviews, Elio has the potential to resonate with kids and become a cult classic.

• 00:00  – Introduction + shoutout to Pied and Saved Our Marriage podcast

• 03:30  – First impressions of Elio and how it slipped past the hype

• 09:45  – Pixar’s “off-brand” films: Luca, Soul, Brave comparisons

• 15:00  – Plot breakdown and character arcs

• 24:15  – Villains, clones, and sci-fi influences

• 33:40  – Marketing & box office breakdown

• 41:20  – Final thoughts: where Elio lands in Pixar’s legacy