Onward is a story about two brothers going on a quest to try and bring back their dad for one day only. This film is a lot more emotional than you may expect but at the heart this film it is about family, a film that anyone any age can enjoy.
Onward is Pixar's first original story and film since Coco in 2017. Pixar's latest film is set in a world full of mythical creatures who live a life very similar to modern day humans do. However, in this mythical world, the magic is almost completely gone. Early on we are made aware that this is a quest film which is about not taking the most straightforward and simplest route.
This film focuses on two blue-skinned elves, Ian (voiced by Tom Holland) is insecure and longing to meet his father who died before he was born but he wants to meet him and speak to him just once. Also, he is joined by his older brother Barley (voiced by Chris Pratt), who is slow at times but he is the one who believed in magic from the beginning. Their mother clearly still misses her deceased husband but is now dating a centaur policeman. Their father left the brothers a gift to open when they were both at least 16 years old, it was a spell to bring him back for just one day. As seen from the trailer the spell only half works as only the bottom half of their father is brought back. The brothers go on a quest to try and bring the top half back in time before the sun sets.
These legs provide a lot of comedy to this film, especially when they start dancing or when the brother’s makeshift a top half for the legs to be able to drag the legs around without being noticed. Even though there are moments of humour this story really focuses on male relationships. The brother's themselves go on a journey individually and together, we discover their strengths and reveal their insecurities. Ian and Barley have a typical sibling relationship it isn’t perfect but they are there for each other always. Always supporting and helping each other grow.
The reunion with the father is unexpected and very emotional. It has been argued that there isn’t much here for girls and women apart from the supporting roles of the boy’s mother (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who is quite understanding and supportive of the whole situation and a crisis-stricken manticore (a winged lion/dragon/scorpion creature, voiced by Octavia Spencer). With the focus on male relationships, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything for girls or women. This film might be more focused on male's but this film can be enjoyed by all. Onward is about family and siblings.
Tom Holland and Chris Pratt brought Ian and Barley to life and we grow to really connect with them and love them. Onward is a brilliant film and it is a film with a lot of heart, we can sympathise with Ian and Barley as we want them to spend time with their dad. A standout moment is when Ian realises Barley is the reason Ian is the man he is. This film will make you cry as we see two brothers strengthen their relationship even more and we see Ian go from a shy boy to a headstrong, confident man who isn’t ashamed of his brother. Pixar have done an amazing job with this film, from the story to the great animation. Onward may be a male character-driven story but this film is to be seen by all as anyone can connect to this story and enjoy it. This film is more relationships than the quest but the quest helps bring our characters together.
