Luca (Jacob Tremblay) lives a seemingly ordinary life with his family. He assists on their farm and avoids the boats that pass overhead, as Luca is, in fact, a sea monster whose world is primarily underwater. This changes when he encounters Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer), another sea monster, who introduces him to the surface world. Upon reaching land, they transform into human boys. Together, they embark on an adventure to acquire a Vespa and travel the world. They befriend Giulia (Emma Berman) in a small village, and the trio attempts to win a local bicycle race to earn enough money for their Vespa. However, danger looms, as even a small amount of water can expose Luca and Alberto’s true identities.
Pixar is renowned for producing exceptional films, not only within the animated genre but across all feature film categories. Coco stands as a masterpiece, evoking profound emotional responses, as do films like Up and Inside Out. Pixar consistently demonstrates its ability to create deeply affecting cinematic experiences. Luca, the subject of this review, experienced a somewhat subdued release due to Covid-19, debuting directly on Disney+ at no additional cost. This contrasts with the release strategy for Raya and the Last Dragon (from Disney’s animation studio), which utilized Premium Access, requiring a separate purchase. Consequently, there was a perception that Luca might be a direct-to-video release, which it certainly is not.
Luca exhibits strong production values, commendable voice acting, and an engaging narrative. The warmth of the Italian town is palpable. The animation is outstanding, approaching photorealism but retaining stylistic character design. The voice performances are well-executed, and the film maintains a brisk pace. However, it lacks a characteristic element of Pixar films: profound emotional resonance. While the film presents threats, it doesn’t quite achieve the same level of emotional investment or stakes. The core premise is strong, but the execution falls slightly short of Pixar’s highest standards.
The Blu-ray edition boasts exceptional visual quality, delivering sharp imagery and vibrant colors. The darker scenes exhibit near-HDR quality, although true HDR requires UHD. The DTS Master HD 7.1 audio, however, is less impressive, with a predominantly front-focused soundstage and limited surround effects. Opportunities for immersive underwater sound design are not fully realized. Furthermore, the overall audio level is relatively low, necessitating a volume increase to reach a comfortable listening level. Conversely, the extra features exhibit a significantly higher volume, requiring manual adjustment. The supplemental materials are plentiful, informative, and entertaining, with the deleted scenes being particularly insightful, offering a glimpse into the development process of Luca over several years. The Swedish dubbing is well-executed, preserving the energy and humor of the original version.
In conclusion, Luca is a worthwhile and enjoyable film, characterized by its strong production values, engaging narrative, and appealing Blu-ray edition. While lacking the emotional depth of some of Pixar’s previous works, it remains a recommendable viewing experience.
