Review: Disney/Pixar's 'Onward'

PHOTO COURTESY OF Disney

By Maggie Mattinson, Student Life Staff Writer

Disney released the Pixar film “Onward” to theaters on March 6. Shortly after its underwhelming opening weekend, many theaters closed down due to the quickly spreading COVID-19 pandemic. Disney+ quickly announced that it would be streaming the film within less than a month, and it has been available on the platform since April 3.

“Onward” follows the story of brothers Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt) on a magical quest to spend one day with their father, who died of an unnamed illness when they were both young. It’s a classic fantasy story in almost every way. There are quests, magical beings, classic hero arcs and spells: everything you would see from Tolkien, Lewis or Rowling.

However, “Onward” gives a very unique perspective on the fantasy trope. Rather than leaning toward the storybook-end of the spectrum like we’ve seen in countless movies, shows and books, this story feels more like a Dungeons and Dragons campaign come to life. The pixies are small, mean and gruff; the elves are tall masters of magic. Barley —the older of the two brothers — is obsessed with a D&D or Magic: The Gathering-like game called “Quests of Yore,”which is “historically accurate” in the film’s universe and inspires the direction of their quest.

“Onward” set high expectations as being the first Disney-Pixar movie to feature an openly LGBTQ+ character. The first lesbian character in a Pixar movie is very butch, only in one short scene, is really of no importance to the story and is a cop. I recognize that Pixar is still taking steps in the right direction and any effort is important, but it seems like they could have done much more, especially after the disappointing LGBTQ+ representation in Star Wars IX. (It’s 2020. Come on, Pixar. Have some tact and make some real strides for representation and diversity.)

Like all Disney-Pixar movies, “Onward” has its share of humor mixed with sentiment. The setting of the film — a fantasy world collided with one like ours — lends itself to laughs. There is also strategically placed subtle humor throughout, like a pixie eating Pixy Stix or the struggle of a centaur driving a car. Pixar is known for teaching its main characters lessons they didn’t think they needed on the journey of fulfilling their dreams, but in very different ways than expected. “Onward” does not stray from this format.

It is worth noting much of what makes this movie so meaningful is the relatability. I have a younger sister who I am very close with, and our dynamic and personalities are very similar to the movie’s portrayal of Ian and Barley. For example, in one early scene, Barley drives his run-down van up to Ian’s school, creating chaos and embarrassment for Ian and his friends. My sister and I have lived through that exact situation countless times, as I’m sure many siblings have. “Onward” is a great movie on the surface level, but it’s very similar to any other buddy adventure movie. It’s the attention to detail in the intricacies and subtleties ofa nearly perfect sibling relationship that make the film an emotional rollercoaster, and, quite honestly, a flawless movie.

Overall, I would recommend “Onward” to anyone looking for an easy, lighthearted watch. It’s full of laughs, it’s nostalgic, it’s sweet, it’s got adventure and it’s uncomplicated. In a time where everything is scary and uncertain, “Onward” is the perfect escape.

—mlmattinson@gmail.com

@maggiemattinson