Disney and Pixar’s ‘Onward’ Soars! (Spoiler-Free Review)

Let’s get right to it: Disney and Pixar’s ‘Onward’ is a Masterpiece. The studio delivered once again with a family-friendly quest that will have audiences laughing and crying the whole way through. Onward is a funny and witty adventure that follows two elf brothers, Ian Lightfoot (Tom Holland) and Barley Lightfoot (Chris Pratt) on a quest. The quest consists of trying to finish the spell that would resurrect their father. As shown in the trailer, the spell only half-works bringing only half of their dad. It’s up to Ian and Barley to bring back the rest of their father.

Pixar does a great job creating this mystical monster world and relating it to ours. The movie starts by showing us how this world used to be full of magic. Slowly that magic died and got replaced with technology. These creatures now live in the magic-less version of reality reflective of our own. Some of these magical creatures have even lost their magic…. and purpose.

Onward Storyline

Ian Lightfoot is a 16-year-old boy having a tough time fitting in High School. He struggles to make friends as he lacks a lot of confidence in himself. Ian lives with his older brother Barley and his mom Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Barley and Ian lost their father at a very young age. Obsessed with thoughts of his father, Ian, with his brother Barley, uses their father’s magical staff and a Phoenix stone to try and resurrect their father.

Unfortunately, the spell cuts short halfway. It uses up the stone and only brings the lower part of their dad back to life. Now it is up to Ian, Barley and dad’s legs to go and finish this quest in order to speak to their father one more time.

Ian and Barley

Tom Holland is a great Ian. He brings that teenage awkwardness that he has also shown as Peter Parker in the MCU. Chris Pratt as Barley is quite the opposite; self-confident and not scared of anything. This brother duo couldn’t have been cast any better. Pratt and Holland seem to have that brotherhood bond in real life and it works on the big screen as well.

Rest of the gang

The dad is a very important character throughout the film. Even though he has no upper half, the character bonds with their sons as he can. The character brings a lot of comedic moments in a ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ style comedy. Even though the character has no face, his actions and his timing is purposeful and add a unique element to the film.

‘Onward’ has an amazingly diverse group of actors that bring these characters to life. Other characters than stand out are their mom Laurel, her new boyfriend Officer Colt Bronco (Mel Rodriguez) and The Manticore (Octavia Spencer). ‘Onward’ also features the first LGBT character in Dinsey history.

Final Thoughts on ‘Onward’

‘Onward’ is a magical adventure! It has an amazing pace that keeps the story interesting and the audience on the edge of their seats. The movie will warm your heart with their brotherly love and touching family moments. Holland and Pratt bring these characters to life in a way that you feel that you’ve known them forever. Their family dynamic is very relatable and one of the best qualities of the film. With comedy and danger in every turn, ‘Onward’ is a rollercoaster of emotions. This is one quest you won’t want to miss when ‘Onward’ hits theatres March 6!