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Luca Review

· superuser

Luca

Review Ratings

Art/Style: 
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
Production Value: 
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
Content: 
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
Personal Enjoyment: 
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
Overall Popularity: 
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1
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final_score: 8.1

Final Review Score

8.1 / 10

Great

Directed by Enrico Casarosa (director of the Oscar-nominated short La Luna) and co-written by Jesse Andrews and Mike Jones, Luca (2021) brought an intimate, slice-of-life warmth to Pixar Animation Studios. Drawing heavily on Casarosa’s childhood summers in Genoa and paying visual homage to Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, the film stepped away from high-concept world-ending stakes in favor of a personal tale about friendship, self-acceptance, and summer freedom. In this detailed Luca movie review, we examine how Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, stylized watercolor animation, and Dan Romer’s Mediterranean score crafted a delightful modern fable.

Portorosso, Sea Monsters on Land, and the Dream of a Vespa

Set in the idyllic 1950s seaside town of Portorosso along the Italian Riviera, the story follows Luca Paguro (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), a shy young sea monster who herds goatfish off the coast. Forbidden by his protective parents Daniela and Lorenzo (voiced by Maya Rudolph and Jim Gaffigan) from venturing near the surface, Luca’s curiosity is sparked when he meets Alberto Scorfano (voiced by Jack Dylan Grazer), a free-spirited fellow sea monster living alone on a desolate island tower. Luca discovers that sea monsters instantly assume human form when dry, but revert to their scaly exterior when touched by water. Bonding over a shared dream to own a vintage Vespa scooter and travel the world, the duo sneaks into Portorosso. There, they team up with spunky local girl Giulia Marcovaldo (voiced by Emma Berman) to enter the town’s annual triathlon—swimming, pasta eating, and cycling—to win money for a Vespa while hiding their aquatic identity from a town obsessed with hunting sea monsters, including arrogant local bully Ercole Visconti (voiced by Saverio Raimondo).

Youthful Voice Chemistry, Silencing “Bruno,” and Universal Acceptance

Jacob Tremblay instills Luca with gentle curiosity and courageous growth, while Jack Dylan Grazer gives Alberto infectious bravado masking deep abandonment issues. Emma Berman brings fiery determination as Giulia, and Marco Barricelli provides imposing warmth as her formidable, one-armed fisherman father, Massimo. The narrative popularizes the memorable mantra “Silenzio, Bruno!”—a inner phrase used to quiet self-doubt and fear—and delivers a heartwarming allegory about identity, closeted fears, and finding a community that celebrates who you truly are.

Stylized Watercolor Aesthetics, Mediterranean Light, and Dan Romer’s Score

Visually, Luca deliberately departed from Pixar’s hyper-realistic rendering in favor of a hand-crafted, illustrative aesthetic inspired by Italian stop-motion and Japanese anime. The production design features soft curved geometry, painterly water surfaces, and sun-soaked pastel cobblestone streets bathed in warm Mediterranean light. Composer Dan Romer created an enchanting, accordion and string-heavy score infused with vintage Italian pop classics from Gianni Morandi, Rita Pavone, and Mina, transporting audiences straight to mid-century Italy.

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, this Luca review celebrates a charming, joyful, and beautifully crafted animated gem. Driven by Enrico Casarosa’s sincere direction, wonderful chemistry between Jacob Tremblay and Jack Dylan Grazer, vibrant Riviera visuals, and an uplifting message about friendship and acceptance, it remains a beloved entry in Pixar’s library.

Information

  • Title: Luca
  • Release Date: June 18, 2021
  • Director: Enrico Casarosa
  • Key Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Saverio Raimondo, Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, Marco Barricelli, Sandy Martin, Sacha Baron Cohen
  • Genre: Animation, Coming-of-Age, Comedy, Fantasy, Family

This post is part of Pixar Movies Ranked