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Ever since Pixar burst into theaters with 1995’s ground-breaking Toy Story, the studio has become known for producing films that are both whimsical and sophisticated. They’ve introduced lovable characters on tear-jerking journeys. But none of those adventures have been quite as bizarre as the studio’s latest, Onward.
Onward goes on a quest with elfin brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt). On Ian’s sixteenth birthday, their mother (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) gives them a gift from their late father. They open it to find a wizard’s staff and a spell that will allow their dad to return to them for just one day. Despite the fact that no one really uses magic anymore, Ian is able to cast the spell—but only partially. And with the clock ticking, the brothers set out to find the gem that will finish the spell.
As the two elves and the bottom half of their dead dad set out in a broken-down, custom-painted van in search of the manticore that can direct them to a gem with magical properties, you can’t help but stop and think about just how strange Onward is. Sure, Pixar has made some unexpected movies before. They’ve cooked with a Parisian rat and traveled through space with a pair of robots. But even those films weren’t as out there as this one.
Of course, Onward definitely has its share of positive attributes. The animation is Pixar-stunning, and the characters have plenty of personality. Ian is timid and afraid of just about everything, while Barley is bold and daring and unabashedly geeky. The land where they live is highly imaginative, too. In fact, this whimsical world, with its urbanized enchanted lands feels a little bit like the world of Disney’s Zootopia, where animals took their natural behaviors and natural habitats and modified them to fit into an urban environment. Here, magical creatures have left their glitchy powers behind in favor of science and technology, leaving so many hints of the old magical medieval times that audiences are sure to notice new ones with each viewing.
There are definitely plenty of laughs here as the brothers venture into unknown lands, bickering about every decision along the way. And it wouldn’t be a Pixar movie without some heartwarming, tear jerking family drama. As strange as it all is, it’s nearly impossible to make it through without getting at least a little misty-eyed. Still, despite the usual Pixar elements, this film doesn’t really feel like the kind of unforgettable movie event that Pixar releases tend to be.
Onward offers comedy and adventure, all wrapped up in a beautifully animated package. It’s eye-catching and entertaining—but it’s lacking the magic and sophistication that Pixar fans have come to expect.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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