“Luca,” Pixar’s new computer-animated adventure film, sets its story on the Italian Riviera around the 1950s and 1960s. The film tells the story of a teenage sea creature by the name of Luca, who discovers the human world on land and takes on a coming-of-age adventure.
In his directorial debut, Enrico Casarosa directs the film which stars Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Saverio Raimondo, Maya Rudolph, and Jim Gaffigan.
The film’s opening instantly gives off “The Little Mermaid” vibes. It shows that Luca had never been above the water and finds fascination in trinkets that make their way into the ocean from land. Luca’s parents don’t help, either. They constantly remind him of the dangers the surface possesses and tell him that he could die if he went there. And because Luca is a good kid, he listens to his parents and inhabits their fears.
Scene from Luca. Photo: Pixar Animated Studios, 2021.
In his sheltered existence, Luca then meets Alberto, a carefree fellow sea creature who has made a life above land on his own island and convinces Luca to go on land with him. Luckily for them, once dry, they take on human form, only to turn back into their true form when wet. Alberto introduces Luca to a whole new world which ignites Luca’s curiosity. But the adventure doesn’t start until the young boys decide to run away to where the land with people are, which is a village nearby by the name of Portorosso.
A Town’s Obsession Over Sea Creatures
We learn that the townsfolk obsess over the thought of killing sea creatures care of sightings along the ocean. Good thing that the boys remain safe as long as they stay away from getting wet, right? We see how the boys’ cluelessness of their surroundings finally come to a head when they meet Giulia, a teenage girl with no friends, and who refers to herself as an ‘underdog’. She is sassy, outspoken, independent, and becomes a great addition to the characters instantly.
As the film progresses, the boys want to travel the world but soon find out they need money to do that. They learn that the town hosts an annual triathlon type race and eventually convince their new friend to form a team with them so they can win and receive prize money at the end. However, as they train for the race, life constantly throws obstacles their way, with close calls as they try not to let others expose them for what they really are. Add to that jealousy and a self-obsessed villain who is determined to win the race himself, and we have a jampacked adventure.
Scene from Luca. Photo: Pixar Animated Studios, 2021.
More Than Anything, ‘Luca’ is a Story of Friendship
As Luca and Alberto discover more about life above land, their adventure puts their friendship to the test, too; and their arc takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. It is not easy to predict how “Luca” will end, and the audiences find themselves with a few unanswered questions once the credits roll. Nevertheless, you are entertained the entire time and you find yourself rooting for the friendship of the trio. Each of them have their own different background and arc to growth, which makes you feel like you are on the journey with them.
More importantly, “Luca” takes you on an adventure of self-discovery, coming of age, and true friendship. You can’t help but relate to its message about being different in a world reluctant to accept you for being so. “Luca” is a very remarkable watch; it’s great for a family movie night, and its quotable lines will have you yelling “Santa Mozzarella” in no time!
