The narrative throughout the press buildup for Pixar’s Onward focused a ton on how sad the movie was, which is saying something for the studio that brought us films like Coco and the Finding Nemo/Dory and Toy Story series. And Dan Scanlon’s second directed film with them does have a fair amount of heartfelt and touching moments. So why does Chris Pratt’s blue elf character, Barley Lightfoot, look so jovial and smiling on the advertising? Because one: it’s Chris Pratt, and two: there’s much more comedy in this fantasy-adventure than is being sold to you.
His younger brother Ian, played by Tom Holland (controversially, Ian bears a strong resemblance to his voice actor, not the first time it’s happened with Holland if Spies in Disguise in anything to go by), is given a magical staff by their mother Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) once wielded by their late father (Kyle Bornheimer).
An opening narration from their dad details a visually capturing magical world of the past, filled with supernatural fantasy creatures and amazing powers, before they all realized the conveniences of modern technology (electricity, industry, smartphones, fossil fuels) and the land became essentially small-town America with goblins and dragon pets. But the staff has enough magic to enact a spell that would bring Ian and Barley’s father back for 24 hours.
Their best attempt doesn’t go as planned, and they’re left with a ghostly pair of legs to bond with. But Barley is a committed role-playing fanatic, who believes the mythology in his games is based on historical truths. He’s an energetic and proactive counterpart to the more reluctant and unassuming Ian, who skeptically goes along with their plan to get another powered gem for their staff and fully restore their dad before time runs out.
Throughout their journey they’re pursued by Colt Bronco, a centaur officer voiced by Mel Rodriguez who’s in a relationship with Laurel, to Barley’s annoyance. She has an amusing and adorable adventure herself with the manticore restaurant manager Corey (Octavia Spencer), searching for a magical sword that will help keep the elf brothers out of danger.
At times it feels like the Manticore steals the movie. Spencer is just out of her mind in this role, the writers give her some of the funnier material in Onward and she runs with the ball. That’s not to say the rest of the cast falls flat though, because Holland and Pratt give a good deal of emotion to their respective performances as Ian and Barley, and their interactions always come off as genuine.
Really, the dynamic that drives Onward comes off like a gender-inverted Frozen, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen siblings go on a journey together and become closer. The legs of the father allow for some funny and endearing pantomime, but his true purpose in the story is helping the Lightfoot brothers become closer and look past their conflicts.
I will say that the emotional payoff is mostly satisfying, although it wasn’t as gusher-tear jerking as other Pixar films like Coco and Finding Dory were (at least for me). Without spoiling anything, there’s a conversation between two characters we only see, but it would have been even better for me if I heard the exchange.
My only other real complaint is that the modernized fantasy world comes off a bit too ordinary. I would have liked to have seen more original concepts for these outrageous-looking characters with their architecture and industrial advances. Something a bit more steampunk, spaced-aged or an advanced, Square Enix-style approach to the new world would have been amazing, but Pixar just kinda settles on dubbing the monsters’ potential down a little. Luckily the action sequences are generally good, so the toned-down design of the world does help them stand out more, but it’s still kind of a missed opportunity.
So should you go see Onward? It charmed me enough to say if you’ve got kids or are babysitting, definitely yes- without me feeling it was anything from the studio that took its designs or story-telling style to a new unseen level. Ian and Barely are sweet enough to where audiences and kids will definitely enjoy them, they always feel more on the nuanced end of children’s cartoons. If you’ve hopped into your family van, even if it’s not as wildly painted as Barley’s, with your folks to see it, as always stop by @official_FAN on Twitter and let us know your feelings on it!