Luca movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: Luca

This sweet animation is available exclusively on Disney+

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 35 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

On the Italian Riviera, an unlikely but strong friendship grows between a human being and a sea monster disguised as a human. This colorful animation is directed by Italian Enrico Casarosa.

THINGS I LIKED:

We get to travel to Italy, one of my favorite countries in the world! Many of the scenes on land look like they were inspired by Cinque Terre, Italy. I went there a few years ago and absolutely loved it. It’s actually 5 spots along the beautiful Italian Riviera coastline. There are tons of lovely Italian touches to teach audiences a little bit about that amazing country and culture. An Italian word you hear often is “andiamo” which means “let’s go!” I could definitely see Disney’s Epcott incorporate features from Luca such as offering an Italian restaurant or gelateria. Pesto pasta…mmm…. Fix a plate of Italian food to eat while you’re watching this at home!
The animation is reliably Disney. That is to say…really great. Technically amazing. Disney is a master of details, color, texture, and facial expressions in animation. The water world is just as impressive and gorgeous as the Italian town.
It’s not the groundbreaking masterpiece that Toy Story is, but still a wonderful addition to the world of Disney and Pixar.
Kids will probably think the cat that looks like Hitler is funny.
The fish-out-of-water movie and setting feel exactly like a fun summer adventure. It’s light and breezy and doesn’t attempt to dive deep into emotions like some of the more recent films we’ve seen like SOUL and Inside Out (Theatrical).
The metaphor of young sea monsters changing into human boys easily represents how we all change as we learn, age, and grow.
The talented cast includes Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, Giacomo Gianiotti, and one of my favorite comedians, Jim Gaffigan!
Keep watching during the final credits for some artistic representations of what happens to the characters after the story end, plus a bonus clip that’ll make you laugh featuring the voice of Sacha Baron Cohen!

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

I wonder how much Vespa paid for product placement.
It’s predictable but still worth the journey.
It doesn’t pack an emotional punch like some other Disney/Pixar films, but it still brought a smile to my face. No crying.
There is no explanation about why the sea monsters have a physical transformation on land.
The villain is one of Disney/Pixar’s weakest by far. It’s also hard to tell how old he is.
Rumor has it that Pixar was super miffed that this movie didn’t go to theaters. What’s up with that, Disney?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Some Italian is spoken without subtitles.
Some text on the screen has to be read.
Some rude humor and violence
Some destruction and people in perilous situations.
No profanity. Instead, the replacements are cute things like, “Oh, sharks!” and “Santa Mozzarella!”
Parents will love the fact that a couple of the kids really, really want to go to school. Yay!