Elemental's Rotten Tomatoes score with critics is fresh, but it does not compare favorably to other Pixar movies. The 27th movie released by the animation powerhouse comes at what seems to be a pivotal point in the studio's history. Pixar has developed a reputation for creating imaginative worlds with new characters that are both fun and emotional over the last several decades. This formula has continued to produce critical hits in recent years, while the studio has found some struggles at the box office and relying on franchises.

As another original movie, Elemental stars Ember and Wade, two residents of Elemental City who form an unlikely bond despite their differences. The Pixar release boasts the studio's usual and great animation, but it arrives at a time when other movies like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse or Puss in Boots: The Last Wish were praised for pushing animation boundaries. The level...