Luca review: "For Pixar, it all feels a little too unimaginative"

Luca
(Image: © Disney Pixar)

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Something of a companion piece to the superior Finding Nemo, this is one of Pixar’s weaker efforts but still worth catching.

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Pixar are renowned for stretching the conceptual boundaries of family entertainment, demanding that kids (and trickier still, adults) keep up: a lonesome robot clears up trash on a desolate future Earth in WALL*E; a little girl’s conflicted emotions wage abstract war in Inside Out; and a jazz musician’s tremulous spirit yearns to escape back to Earth in Soul.

Luca, the animation giant’s 24th feature in 26 years, is inspired partly by director Enrico Casarosa’s childhood summers on the beaches of Genoa, and partly by Fellini movies (especially coming-of-age dramedy I Vitelloni). But if that sounds esoteric, Pixar does what it always does by making it fun and accessible to all – did we mention Luca is about two sea monsters who take human form when they’re above the water’s surface?

We begin beneath the waves, as our eponymous hero (Jacob Tremblay), looking like a cross between a dragon, a fish and a boy, finds treasure stolen from a boat. Then the teenage sea monster who nabbed it, Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer), pitches up, and the two become friends, with the older Alberto showing Luca how they both morph into humans on land. Luca’s parents (Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan) are not happy with this development. They plan to send their son to live in ‘the deep’ with his oddball uncle, and so Luca and Alberto abscond to terra firma, taking up home in a coastal town full of fisherman who dream of catching sea monsters…

The concept is strong enough, but Luca is ultimately the one that got away, as the story swerves into becoming a quest to win the Portorosso Cup – an annual triathlon consisting of swimming, cycling, and scoffing pasta. For Pixar, it all feels a little too unimaginative, tried-and-tested, and no amount of shimmering waves, cobbled streets and verdant greenery can prevent monotony from creeping in.

When it does, it’s usually human girl Giulia (Emma Berman) who casts it away again – befriending Luca and Alberto, she quickly becomes the leader of the pack – and the last 10 minutes stir emotions as themes of friendship, tolerance, trust, personal growth and self-acceptance bubble to the surface. The final takeaway, meanwhile, is a message that thoughtfully favors tentative hope over naïve idealism.

Luca is available on Disney Plus from June 18. For more, check out the best movies on Disney Plus and best shows on Disney Plus right now.

More info

GenreAnimation
More
Editor-at-Large, Total Film

Jamie Graham is the Editor-at-Large of Total Film magazine. You'll likely find them around these parts reviewing the biggest films on the planet and speaking to some of the biggest stars in the business – that's just what Jamie does. Jamie has also written for outlets like SFX and the Sunday Times Culture, and appeared on podcasts exploring the wondrous worlds of occult and horror. 

Read more
Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt in The Electric State
The Electric State review: "Although this may be their most visually stunning movie yet, it looks like the Russos are yet to find their footing outside of the MCU"
Young Mufasa in Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King review – "It's no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"
The Colors Within
The director behind one of anime's most extraordinary films manages to completely subvert my expectations with latest coming-of-age adventure: "Having a secret was really important"
The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep
The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep review – "A satisfying new anime adventure that harks back to the Netflix series' heyday"
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
The 32 greatest family animation movies that aren't Disney
Robert Pattinson as Mickey in Mickey 17
Mickey 17 Review: "Bong Joon Ho's best English movie to date and arguably Robert Pattinson's best movie ever"
Latest in Animation Movies
The Iron Mask
The 32 greatest swashbuckler movies ever made
Claire Danes as Juliet and Miriam Margolyes as Nurse in the movie Romeo + Juliet.
The 33 greatest movies based on Shakespeare
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Pokemon Legends: Z-A looks to finally bring my anime-inspired dreams of truly active combat to life
Terraria art showing a short-haired blond man sitting atop a grassy field in metal armor, colorful slimes on either side of him
Terraria is forever: look no further than its go-to mod tool, which just hit an all-time Steam peak ahead of surely, for real, definitely final update 1.4.5
Tiana in The Princess and the Frog
TV show based on underrated Disney movie quietly cancelled amid streaming shake up
Shoto Hinata in Haikyu!! The Movie: VS The Little Giant
One of 2024's best anime movies has a sequel coming, and the first trailer has been revealed along with a new special
Latest in Reviews
Lenovo Legion Go S with FlyKnight gameplay on screen featuring player character holding bow and arrow with enemy ant in backdrop.
Lenovo Legion Go S Windows 11 review: “my heart aches for this mixed up handheld”
Talisman 5th Edition game components
Talisman 5th Edition review: "The characterful imperfections of the original game remain clear to see "
WWE 2K25
WWE 2K25 review: "A colossal package even if you never go anywhere near Virtual Currency"
Altered: Trial by Frost booster box and packs on a playmat
Altered: Trial by Frost review - "Satisfying enough to offer highly varied gameplay"
Three SteelSeries QcK Performance mouse pads on a wooden desk
I didn't expect to prefer a coarser mouse pad, but SteelSeries' new QcK Performance range has changed my mind
Boro and Alta sit on a bench together in Wanderstop
Wanderstop review: "Exalting the transformative power of tea"