Onward

The dead parent trope might be overused for Disney movies but Onward doesn't make the mistakes of those movies. The siblings fight like siblings though out, not just at plot critical moments. Their single mom has a boyfriend who is not an evil stepparent trope, and their mom is actually proactive during the events of the film, but the adventure still belongs to the boys. I've been tired of plots that have parents oblivious to what their kids are doing. I came for the DnD references but I cried for the well-rounded characters.

It's a fantastic movie! It might fall into cliches but that's what the movie is all about. It brings the sense of epic to the viewer and engage with their feelings. It's well balanced, as the movie emphasizes in the adventure aspect of it but without forgetting comic times as well as really touchy moments were you'll for sure be moved. It's a great movies that will introduce you to some aspects of role playing in a way you probably haven't thought before. Great for both kids and adults.

This movie will give you laughs as well as leave you in sobs. Fun, action-packed and emotional, it's a great watch.

Elven brothers Ian and Barley lost their father when they were too young to remember him. But on Ian's 16th birthday, they receive a special gift - something that can help revive their father for one day. But as expected, they mess up the spell and their father is left only with legs.

I do not know why this film is so underrated, considering it's full of that Pixar magic. Fantasy world? Ok, that's pretty common. Suburban fantasy world? You don't see that every day. It's a burst of imagination, really.

Unlike most films that shy away from deep themes and stay on the 'clear path', Onward shows how hard it is to lose someone. If you haven't seen it, watch today!

The premise for 'Onward' is a good one if not unique. Pixar have more creative concepts than the one here, such as 'Inside Out', 'Soul' and 'Coco'. Pixar has not been as consistent in the 2010s compared to before, more though when it comes to its sequels and prequels. The studio was very consistently high quality up to 'Toy Story 3' and has varied since that film in my view. 'Onward' is one of two, and the first, of their films released in 2020, the other being 'Soul'.

For me, 'Soul' was the marginally better film, more imaginative and more ambitious without being overly so. Yet 'Onward' is a great film in its own way and worthy of more attention than it does. Is it the most original film in the world story-wise? No, absolutely not though sometimes lack of originality is not always a bad thing (it's when it goes too far on that where it matters). It is good though that many liked or loved it. Pretty much all of what makes the studio's output when on particularly good form so high quality though are here in 'Onward'. While it is not one of their best, it's relatively under-appreciated.

Very little wrong here in 'Onward'. Other than the lack of originality, the only thing that could have been better is that if the pacing slowed down a little towards the end.

'Onward' however is highly successful in every other regard. The animation is stunning as has nearly always been the case (the only exception actually has been some of the character designs in 'The Good Dinosaur'), with such beautiful colours and meticulously detailed backgrounds. The music is always dynamic with the action and is never at odds with it, full of character, energy and pathos. The script is a perfect balance of genuinely hilarious humour and moving and not too sentimental emotion.

Pixar always did have mature storytelling, especially apparent in almost all the non-sequel output since 'Inside Out' (and including that film). 'Onward' is one of the particularly mature ones in this period and one of their particularly mature ones overall. For what it may lack in originality, 'Onward' more than makes up for it in exciting and nostalgic action, hilarious entertainment value, affecting (but not over-sentimental) emotional power and affectionate honouring of the fantasy genre.

It is also hugely successful in its depiction of the relationship between the brothers (doing for brothers what the 'Frozen' films did for sisters), a beautifully and realistically written bond that was also hugely insightful and relatable. Will admit that the ending did make me cry, one of Pixar's most poignant endings. The characters felt real and didn't come over as too perfect or have negative characteristics over-emphasised. The voice acting is on point, with Tom Holland being particularly splendid and the bond between him and Chris Pratt felt authentic.

Concluding, wonderful. 9/10.

Doing a fulfilling movie for boys where the price of the quest is emotional wholeness and found love is a rare sight and not an easy task. Pixar succeeded by providing rich brotherly relationship, adventure, magic and finally love. It is much more a common message in movies for girls like Frozen, but I think that the magical combination of all the ingredients achieved by Pixar is important and entertaining at the same time. Wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone :)