What Is the Metacritic Rating for Elemental

Elemental, Pixar’s 2023 animated film, has a Metacritic score of 58-59 out of 100, placing it firmly in the “mixed reviews” category.

This score represents the aggregate of approximately 40 professional critic reviews compiled on Metacritic, indicating that while the film found appreciation in some quarters, it did not achieve the widespread critical acclaim typically associated with major Pixar releases.

For context, a Metacritic score in the 50s means critics were divided in their assessments—some found merit in what the filmmakers attempted, while others felt the execution fell short in key areas.

The mixed reception reflects a common critical pattern: reviewers consistently praised Elemental’s technical animation achievements and creative visual design, but expressed more varied and sometimes reserved opinions about the film’s storytelling and character development.

This divergence between visual accomplishment and narrative execution is what ultimately kept the score from breaking into the 70s range that would signal “generally favorable reviews.”.

Table of Contents

• How Does Elemental’s Metacritic Score Compare to Pixar’s Track Record?
• What Critical Issues Led to the Mixed Metacritic Rating?
• What Did Critics Praise About Elemental Despite the Mixed Rating?
• How Does Audience Reception Compare to the Metacritic Critical Score?
• What Specific Story and Character Elements Drew Criticism?
• How Should You Interpret a 58-59 Metacritic Score When Choosing Films?
• Has Elemental’s Critical Reception Shifted Since Release?
• Conclusion

How Does Elemental’s Metacritic Score Compare to Pixar’s Track Record?

Understanding what a 58-59 score means requires context within Pixar’s broader critical history.

The studio has built a reputation for consistently high-quality films, with past releases like Toy Story (100), WALL-E (95), and inside out (98) occupying the upper echelon of Metacritic’s database.

Even Pixar films that faced more skepticism—like Cars (73) and Brave (71)—scored significantly higher than Elemental.

The 58-59 range places Elemental among Pixar’s lowest-rated theatrical releases, a notable distinction for a studio that rarely delivers films in the “mixed” category. This comparative weakness matters because critics often evaluate Pixar films against the studio’s own high standards rather than against the broader animated film landscape.

When reviewers approach an Elemental screening knowing it comes from the studio behind Toy Story and Finding Nemo, expectations are calibrated accordingly. The film’s score suggests that while it may have been competent by general animation standards, it failed to meet the baseline expectation many critics brought to a Pixar production.

What Critical Issues Led to the Mixed Metacritic Rating?

The 58-59 score emerged because critics identified specific weaknesses that prevented them from endorsing the film unreservedly. The primary concern centered on storytelling—reviewers noted that while the film’s premise of two elemental characters from opposing worlds felt conceptually promising, the execution of that narrative was sometimes uneven.

Character arcs that felt predictable, dialogue that occasionally landed flat, and plot developments that lacked surprise or emotional depth were common criticisms among the professionals who reviewed the film.

A significant limitation to note: critics sometimes disagreed about the severity of these issues. Some felt the visual spectacle and character charm compensated for narrative shortcomings, while others believed the weak story fundamentally undermined the entire experience.

This disagreement explains why Elemental didn’t receive either universal acclaim (75+) or near-universal dismissal (below 40)—it occupied an uncomfortable middle ground where reasonable people could view it quite differently.

What Did Critics Praise About Elemental Despite the Mixed Rating?

Despite the overall mixed reception, Elemental’s metacritic pages reveal consistent praise for its technical and artistic achievements. The film’s animation, visual worldbuilding, and the design of its elemental characters were repeatedly highlighted as standout strengths.

Critics specifically commended the filmmakers’ success in rendering elements like fire, water, earth, and air with visual distinctiveness and beauty, creating a world that felt internally coherent and imaginative.

The voice acting, particularly the lead performances, also drew praise in multiple reviews. The chemistry between the main characters translated effectively to viewers even when critics had reservations about the script they were delivering.

This example illustrates an important reality about mixed reviews: a score of 58-59 doesn’t mean “nothing works.” Rather, it means the strong elements present weren’t sufficient to overcome or counterbalance the weaker narrative aspects.

How Does Audience Reception Compare to the Metacritic Critical Score?

Metacritic also tracks user scores separately from critic scores, and this distinction matters when interpreting Elemental’s overall reception.

audiences often rated the film more favorably than critics did, a pattern that emerged clearly in the user review data.

This gap between critical and audience appreciation is meaningful—it suggests that while professional critics found the story wanting, general viewers who weren’t holding the film to the same institutional standards often found it more entertaining.

This discrepancy points to a practical consideration: if you’re deciding whether to watch Elemental, your assessment depends partly on what you value in animated films. If you prioritize technical excellence and visual creativity over complex storytelling, you might find the film more rewarding than the critical score suggests.

Conversely, if strong character arcs and narrative depth are your primary concerns, the critics’ reservations may prove valid for your viewing experience.

What Specific Story and Character Elements Drew Criticism?

Breaking down the mixed reviews reveals that critics took issue with several narrative choices. The central relationship between the two main characters, while conceptually interesting as an elemental odd couple, sometimes felt forced or relied on convenient coincidences that strained credibility.

Pacing issues also appeared in multiple reviews—the film occasionally felt like it was spinning its wheels during the middle section, an observation that suggests the plot may not have sustained momentum throughout its runtime.

Additionally, critics noted that some character motivations felt thinly explained, and supporting characters often defaulted to stereotype rather than genuine development. A warning for prospective viewers: if you’re sensitive to predictable plot turns and formulaic character arcs, you may find yourself ahead of the story’s beats.

The film’s reliance on familiar animated movie tropes meant that several key moments likely wouldn’t surprise experienced viewers of the genre.

How Should You Interpret a 58-59 Metacritic Score When Choosing Films?

The practical reality of a 58-59 Metacritic score is that it functions as a cautionary indicator rather than a strong recommendation. The score suggests the film has merit and won’t be a complete waste of your time, but it also indicates you should approach it without high expectations.

If you’re deciding between Elemental and another newly released film, a score in the high 70s or above from that competing title would typically be a safer bet for critical quality.

However, Metacritic scores exist on a spectrum, and 58-59 isn’t the same as a 35 (which would indicate significant flaws). The score essentially communicates that Elemental is a middling film—competent in execution, impressive in certain technical areas, but lacking the narrative polish or creative boldness that elevates animation to memorable status.

Your decision to watch should factor in your personal tolerance for uneven films and your specific interests in animation style and storytelling type.

Has Elemental’s Critical Reception Shifted Since Release?

Metacritic scores can shift as additional reviews are added to the aggregate, though the changes are typically minor once a film has been out for several months and most major critics have weighed in. Elemental’s score of 58-59 has remained relatively stable since the film’s initial release, suggesting that the critical consensus solidified fairly quickly.

The ~40 reviews that comprise the score represent sufficient sample size that additional reviews are unlikely to dramatically move the needle.

This stability is worth noting because it indicates that professional critics reached genuine agreement about the film’s mixed quality level. There wasn’t a camp of outlier reviews distorting the score—instead, critics broadly aligned on the assessment that Elemental succeeded visually but disappointed narratively.

This consensus makes the 58-59 score a reliable indicator of what professional film critics believe about the film’s quality relative to theatrical animation standards.

Conclusion

Elemental’s Metacritic score of 58-59, based on approximately 40 professional reviews, accurately reflects a film that achieved technical and visual accomplishment while struggling with narrative execution and character depth.

The score positions Elemental as a notable underperformer relative to Pixar’s historical standards, indicating that critics found the film entertaining enough to avoid dismissal but flawed enough to withhold strong endorsement.

Understanding this score provides clarity for potential viewers: Elemental is worth watching if you value animation craftsmanship and visual storytelling, but it may disappoint if you’re seeking the narrative complexity and emotional resonance that define Pixar’s best work.

The mixed critical reception accurately captured a film caught between aspirations—visually impressive yet narratively conventional, competent yet uninspired.

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