Press Release BVHE Press Release: Elemental (2023) (4k UHD Combo) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

“IMPRESSIVE, STIRRING, AND ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS”
– Brandon Zachary, CBR



Opposites React When Disney and Pixar’s Elemental Arrives Exclusively
on Digital Retailers August 15 and on 4K Ultra HD™,
Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 26








BURBANK, CA (August 3, 2023) – Welcome to Element City, where the fiery Ember Lumen and the go-with-the-flow Wade Ripple are about to discover what happens when fire meets water in Pixar Animation Studios’ dazzling and imaginative Elemental, which debuts on all major digital platforms (Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, etc.) August 15 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD September 26.


Described as “stunning” (Joey Magidson, Awards Radar), “beautiful and immersive” (Belen Edwards, Mashable), Elemental is and Certified-Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes™ with “Pixar’s signature blend of vibrant revolutionary animation and imagination” (Luke Harfield, Awards Watch). Fans can be the first to watch at home by adding the film to their Pixar movie collection, and access bonus content including exclusive deleted scenes, featurettes, an audio commentary, and the widely popular all-new short, “Carl’s Date.”

Film Synopsis
“Elemental” is an original feature film set in Element City, where residents of Fire, Water, Earth and Air live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. Directed by Peter Sohn (“The Good Dinosaur,” “Partly Cloudy” short), and produced by Denise Ream (“The Good Dinosaur,” “Cars 2”), “Elemental” features a screenplay by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh, and stars the voices of Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie as Ember and Wade.

Bonus Features*
Short Film

• Carl’s Date – Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award winner Bob Peterson and produced by Kim Collins, this all-new short, “Carl’s Date,” finds Carl reluctantly agreeing to go on a date with a lady friend —but admittedly with no idea how dating works these days. Ever the helpful friend, Dug steps in to calm Carl’s pre-date jitters and offer some tried-and-true tips for making friends — if you’re a dog. “Carl’s Date” opened in theaters in front of Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental.”

Featurettes

• Ember and Wade – Take a deeper look at the development of main characters Ember and Wade, from early designs to final effects, and learn how the complex work of the technical and character teams brought these characters to life.
• Next Stop: Element City – Explore how Element City is built to accommodate its different inhabitants. Director Peter Sohn and crew members share insights about the evolution of the designed world, as well as some of the research that inspired its unique look.
• Paths to Pixar: The Immigrant Experience – Hear from first-generation filmmakers on the Elemental crew as they share their journeys to Pixar. Discover how Elemental’s real-world themes of sacrifice and identity, amongst many others, reflect or diverge from their own lived experiences.

Deleted Scenes
Director Peter Sohn introduces five scenes that are storyboarded, set to music, timed, and voiced, but are not included in the final version of Elemental.

• Intro Ember – An alternate opening in which our hero Ember helps a newly immigrated Fire family navigate through, and acclimate to, Element City. Scene introduced by director Peter Sohn.
• Mom Rejects Wade – Ember’s traditional parents learn that she’s enamored with watery Wade…and it doesn’t go well. Scene introduced by story supervisor Jason Katz.
• Dante Challenge – In an attempt to keep Ember apart from Wade, Bernie tasks her with finding a place to live for newcomer Dante, who Wade finds himself rather enamored with. Scene introduced by story artist Nira Liu.
• Brook Dinner – Ember joins Wade for dinner at his home, in this abandoned storyline in which Wade’s mother, Brook, is revealed to be the villain diverting water into Firetown. Scene introduced by story artist Anna Benedict.
• Beach Proposal – Sharing a tender moment on the beach, Ember and Wade propose marriage to each other. Scene introduced by story artists Yung-Han Chang and Le Tang.

Audio Commentary

• Elemental Filmmaker Commentary – Join director Peter Sohn, supe tech Sanjay Bakshi, supervising animator Mike Venturini, and directing animator Gwendelyn Enderoglu as they provide insight into the making of this remarkable animated feature while you watch it.

*bonus features vary by product and retailer

Voice Cast
Leah Lewis as Ember
Mamoudou Athie as Wade
Ronnie del Carmen as Bernie
Shila Ommi as Cinder
Wendi McLendon-Covey as Gale
Catherine O’Hara as Brook
Mason Wertheimer as Clod
Joe Pera as Fern
Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside

Directed by
Peter Sohn

Produced by
Denise Ream p.g.a.

Executive Producer
Pete Docter

Screenplay by
John Hoberg
Kat Likkel
Brenda Hsueh

Story by
Peter Sohn
John Hoberg
Kat Likkel
Brenda Hsueh

Music by
Thomas Newman

Product Specifications
Release Date
Digital: August 15
Physical: September 26

Product SKUs
Digital: 4K UHD, HD, SD
Physical: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Code), Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Code) & DVD

Feature Run Time
Approx. 101 minutes

Rating
U.S. Rated PG

Aspect Ratio
Digital: 2.39
Physical: 2.39:1

Disc Size
4K UHD: 66GB
Blu-ray: 50GB
DVD: 8.5GB

U.S. Audio
4K Ultra HD: English 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos, English AD 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, French 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus
Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English 5.1 DTS-HDHR, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English AD 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital,
DVD: English 5.1 Dolby, English 2.0 Dolby, English AD 2.0 Dolby, Spanish 5.1 Dolby
Digital: English Dolby Atmos (UHD only, some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)

U.S. Subtitles
4K Ultra HD: English SDH, Spanish, French
Blu-ray: English SDH, Spanish, French
DVD: English SDH, Spanish
Digital: English SDH, French, Spanish (some platforms)


Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate, HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

See on Amazon

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Best Buy and Walmart 4k versions




Best Buy Expanded

 

[BobNewport]

Going to catch the 4K D+ version when it hits. Don't trust Pixar enough these days to blind buy (digital).

 

[Jake Lipson]

This movie is delightful. I would recommend it unreservedly.

I'll definitely be going after that steelbook.

 

[Kent K H]

Saw this over the weekend at my local one-screen theater while visiting my parents. Despite the odd premise, everything about this movie just feels so derivative. Like it's what you would get if you asked an AI to write a Pixar movie. I would go so far as to say it's the weakest of their films, coming in under Cars 2.

That said, Carl's Date was worth the price of admission alone. What a beautiful send-off for Ed Asner.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Carl's Date was originally planned to debut on Disney+ as another episode of the Dug Days shorts that have been previously released there. Then Pixar decided to put it in theaters with Elemental instead.

It definitely feels like something they could have left off here to direct to the streaming service. So I'm glad that they are going to put it on the disc as well and that it won't be regulated to Disney+ exclusivity forevermore as many recent Pixar shorts have been.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Amazon Blu-ray preorder is live. No sign of 4k yet.

 

[Jake Lipson]

No sign of 4k yet.

I could be wrong, but I think Disney is doing the thing they've been doing this year and using the 4K as an exclusive for the retailer exclusives that you posted earlier. Best Buy has the steelbook, Walmart has a lenticular cover and Disney Movie Club has the keepcase version. Disney also did this with Strange World earlier this year where the 4K was inside the steelbook or at DMC. And they're also doing that with The Little Mermaid. At first I thought this was a title-specific thing that had to do with Strange World's abysmal box office, but now that they've done this three times, it definitely seems to be a new pattern on their family films.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

I could be wrong, but I think Disney is doing the thing they've been doing this year and using the 4K as an exclusive for the retailer exclusives that you posted earlier. Best Buy has the steelbook, Walmart has a lenticular cover and Disney Movie Club has the keepcase version. Disney also did this with Strange World earlier this year where the 4K was inside the steelbook or at DMC. And they're also doing that with The Little Mermaid. At first I thought this was a title-specific thing that had to do with Strange World's abysmal box office, but now that they've done this three times, it definitely seems to be a new pattern on their family films.

That makes complete sense, Jake. Thanks.

 

[Jake Lipson]

The notable thing about Disney deciding to treat 4K releases in this manner is that it will eventually significantly restrict the availability of the 4K disc. Retailer exclusives like Best Buy's steelbooks don't remain in print constantly. A certain number are produced around the title's release date and then whenever those sell out, that's it. After that, the standard release remains available. But if there isn't going to be a standard release in 4K, eventually it would just disappear from stores. Hopefully the keepcase version at the Movie Club will continue to be available. But it definitely seems like as long as Disney is using this release model, if you want to get a 4K version in stores, you'll need to do it on or around the release date while the retailer exclusives are available.

 

[Robert Crawford]

The notable thing about Disney deciding to treat 4K releases in this manner is that it will eventually significantly restrict the availability of the 4K disc. Retailer exclusives like Best Buy's steelbooks don't remain in print constantly. A certain number are produced around the title's release date and then whenever those sell out, that's it. After that, the standard release remains available. But if there isn't going to be a standard release in 4K, eventually it would just disappear from stores. Hopefully the keepcase version at the Movie Club will continue to be available. But it definitely seems like as long as Disney is using this release model, if you want to get a 4K version in stores, you'll need to do it on or around the release date while the retailer exclusives are available.

Right, by this retail method, they're basically forcing many of us to 4K digital. I really hate Disney! They've been a thorn in the ass for home video enthusiasts for many years. It's even worse now because they also own Fox's film library.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Right, by this retail method, they're basically forcing many of us to 4K digital.

I'm sure that's what they want to do. The digital release is going to be available tomorrow and it looks like it is going to be $19.99. Even the standard Blu-ray without 4K will cost more than that. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was $27.99 on regular Blu-ray on the day it came out.

So digital customers can get Elemental 42 days earlier and don't have to spend as much money. That really does seem like Disney punishing their remaining physical media customers because we are no longer the majority of the audience.

At least we still have the option to buy it physically, unlike the poor fans in Australia and New Zealand who will have to import now.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Saw this over the weekend at my local one-screen theater while visiting my parents. Despite the odd premise, everything about this movie just feels so derivative. Like it's what you would get if you asked an AI to write a Pixar movie. I would go so far as to say it's the weakest of their films, coming in under Cars 2.

I won't formally rank "Elemental" yet, but I agree that it feels like "imitation Pixar".

It has all the components one expects from Pixar but it doesn't click.

As you say, it's like an AI-generated Pixar movie.

But I'm a completist so I'll still buy it!

 

[Dennis Gallagher]

Amazon Blu-ray preorder is live. No sign of 4k yet.

...and of course, no sign of 3-D - ever! (Sorry, someone has to mention it.)

 

[Sam Favate]

I’m also glad that the Dug short will be on the disc.

Looking forward to this!

 

[Kent K H]

I won't formally rank "Elemental" yet, but I agree that it feels like "imitation Pixar".

It has all the components one expects from Pixar but it doesn't click.

As you say, it's like an AI-generated Pixar movie.

But I'm a completist so I'll still buy it!

Fair enough. I'm sure I'll still buy Eternals eventually, even though I hated it, just so I have the complete MCU.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Fair enough. I'm sure I'll still buy Eternals eventually, even though I hated it, just so I have the complete MCU.

I liked "Eternals" - genuinely don't get why so many hate it!

 

[Jake Lipson]

I liked "Eternals" - genuinely don't get why so many hate it!

Someone somewhere could say that about most movies.

 

[Jake Lipson]

The film will be accompanied on Disney+ by a making-of documentary called "Good Chemistry: The Story of Elemental."

‘Elemental’ Will Debut On Disney+ Next Week With A Making-Of Documentary

Pixar short ‘Carl’s Date’ will debut on the streaming platform alongside the 'Elemental' titles on September 13.

www.cartoonbrew.com

This continues Disney's recent annoying pattern of NOT including the documentary on the Blu-ray release.

Lightyear had a companion documentary last year as well which was advertised with a pre-film trailer on the Blu-ray directing people to Disney+ to watch it. That documentary has since been scrubbed from Disney+ altogether. So instead of being available on the Blu-ray alongside the film it is about, it is essentially lost.

I shouldn't be surprised at Disney continuing with this strategy but it is very annoying.

 

[Jake Lipson]

For anyone who wants it, Best Buy has put the steelbook back up for pre-order as of when I'm posting this.

It had previously been available for shipping only around the time that the disc was first announced. Then it was listed, but the order button was greyed out as "coming soon" for a while. I was afraid I had missed my shot at it and would have to hope my store got enough in on release date. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.

Now, it is available for pre-order for store pickup. So I was able to reserve one.

I don't know how long it will stay available before being greyed out again. So if you want it, you might want to grab it now.

As a reminder, the Best Buy steelbook and the Walmart lenticular edition are going to be the only way to get this in 4K from a physical store. The regular 4K version is exclusive to the Disney Movie Club.