‘Luca’ is the newest addition to the Pixar library, and it is a beautiful coming of age story between two young boys…I mean… sea monsters. The story follows two young sea monsters who can transform into humans when they leave the ocean, Luca (Jacob Tremnlay) and Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) as they explore the Italian town called Portorosso.
The movie was directed by Enrico Casarosa’s and was his first feature film. Casarosa said that ‘Luca’ was inspired by his childhood in Italy and a love letter to friendship. The film handles the theme of growing up and finding yourself with delicacy and features knock-out performances from the cast. Tremblay and Grazer shine as Luca and Alberto. Tremblay captures the earnestness and innocence of Luca, while Grazer has the natural confidence and vulnerability in his performance.
The animation, as one would expect from Pixar by now, is breathtaking. The visuals transform the audience right into a small town in Italy, perhaps an escape we all need after spending most of the year at home.
There have been many speculations about the movie since before it was even released, with people guessing that the movie alluded to members of the LGBTQ+ community, as the movie shares a lot of similarities with “Call Me by Your Name,” the Oscar winning film about two gay lovers in Italy.
‘Luca’ may not be Pixar’s most creative or unique, but it will surely satisfy all Pixar lovers with its emotional storytelling and gorgeous animation, and it is definitely a perfect summer movie for people of all ages to enjoy.
