In an effort to honor their heritage and traditions, Bernie and Cinder establish a cozy convenience store called the Fireplace. The store becomes a sanctuary for fire element individuals, adorned with a mesmerizing Blue Flame that serves as a beacon of their identity and cultural significance. Over time, the Fireplace becomes a beloved gathering place for the fire element community, attracting numerous patrons seeking warmth and camaraderie.

Bernie envisions passing on the legacy of the store to Ember when he retires. However, Ember must learn to control her fiery temper before she can fully embrace her role. When Bernie grants Ember the opportunity to run the store on her own, she becomes overwhelmed by the demands of the customers and seeks solace in the basement. Unfortunately, her intense outburst inadvertently damages a water pipe, triggering a flood that summons Wade Ripple, a water element who serves as a city inspector.

Wade, initially reluctant but compassionate towards Ember’s predicament, brings her to Cyclone Stadium, where they hope to convince Gale Cumulus, an air element who employs Wade, to show leniency with the violation report. In their discussion, Wade mentions his investigation into recurring floods, leading Gale to give them a tight deadline to identify the source of the problem. If Ember and Wade can successfully seal the leak, the violations against the Fireplace will be forgiven.

As they embark on their search for the elusive source, Wade observes Ember’s fiery temperament and suspects there may be a deeper meaning behind her struggle to control it. Ember, however, denies any underlying truth. Together, they uncover a hole in a dam that allows wave runoff from ships to flood the city’s plumbing system. With determination, they work together to seal the hole using sandbags, striving to save the city from further flooding.

Amidst their collaborative efforts, Ember and Wade spend more time together, gradually discovering a genuine connection and understanding. They share moments of vulnerability and learn about each other’s backgrounds and aspirations. The bond between them deepens, leading to a pivotal moment where Ember realizes her suppressed feelings and Wade confesses his affection for her. However, Ember’s loyalty to the Fireplace and her family’s ingrained prejudice against water elements create a conflict within her heart, and she decides to prioritize her duty over her own desires.

Bernie, on the verge of retirement, announces his plan to pass the Fireplace to Ember. However, Ember’s revelation about the broken pipes and her rejection of Wade’s love leads to disappointment and a change of heart for Bernie. He decides not to retire and denies Ember the store she never truly desired. Meanwhile, as fate would have it, the new seal on the dam weakens, and the fire district becomes flooded. In the midst of chaos, Ember and Wade find themselves trapped in a room within the Fireplace, with Wade’s water element being evaporated by the scorching heat.

As the flood gradually recedes, Ember mourns the loss of Wade and confides in Bernie, expressing her reluctance to take over the Fireplace and her profound love for the water element she unintentionally harmed. In a moment of revelation, Ember discovers that Wade’s essence has seeped into the stone ceiling. Utilizing the power of the crying game they once played, she evokes tears and successfully brings Wade back to his normal form. In this poignant reunion, Ember reciprocates Wade’s affection, and they share a heartfelt kiss.

Months pass, and Ember and Wade, now a committed couple, make the difficult decision to leave Element City. Ember follows her passion for glassmaking, setting off to study the craft in a distant location. On the day of her departure, Ember shares a tearful moment with Bernie, who has come to terms with her love for Wade and the path she must pursue. In a touching exchange, Ember bows to Bernie, a gesture he tearfully reciprocates, symbolizing their shared respect and acceptance.

As Ember boards the ship, ready to embrace her own destiny, she carries with her the memories of Element City and the profound love she found in Wade. Their journey together may have been filled with challenges and sacrifices, but it has ultimately led them to a place of understanding, acceptance, and true connection. With their hearts intertwined, Ember and Wade venture forth into a future where their love can thrive and where the flames of their passion continue to burn brightly.

The post Elemental (2023) first appeared on WhichFilm | Film Reviews | Audience Film Reviews.

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