Christian Metzger ’20
Staff Writer
Disney Movies
Disney Pixar’s latest film, Onward, is brimming with the same heart and stellar animation that has come to define the studio, but it lacks the same potent magic which elevates its other animated classics. Currently available for streaming on Disney+, Onward is directed by Dan Scanlon and stars Tom Holland and Chris Pratt as the leads Ian and Barley, respectively.
The film takes place in a world inhabited by fantastical creatures, where magic has more or less fallen into disuse as a result of modern technology. After brothers Ian and Barley have a brush with the mystical, they rush on a quest to bring back their father before the sun sets.
In particular, Holland and Pratt’s vocal performances are commendable. They do a delightful job of voice acting, a feat that many on-screen actors cannot always accomplish with grace. Holland and Pratt really sell the brotherly dynamic between their two characters with an ample amount of enthusiasm and charisma. Although the idea of a quest in fantasy film is rather standard for the genre, it is the relationship between the two that Pixar sells perfectly and, in turn, invests the viewer into what’s happening on screen. The fact that the pair are together by themselves for most of the film really keeps the emotional core of the movie intact, and I think that their relationship alone is worth watching the film.
However, despite the film’s masterful portrayal of a brotherly relationship, I think the object of the brother’s quest—to rescue their father—is one of the weaker aspects of the film. Though the filmmakers do an admirable effort to make the father a present character with a sort of madcap Weekend at Bernie’s setup, the father doesn’t really have much of a presence without the ability to speak—and, ultimately, I do feel like that detracts from the overall film itself.
In spite of some tonal issues that hold it back from achieving the same quality as other Pixar films, there is no doubt that Onward is an exquisitely animated feature that has a relevant message about the importance of siblings. If one has access to a Disney+ subscription, it is worth at least one viewing. Rating: 7/10
