Onward (SPOILERS)

Uh Oh, It's Magic...

The film industry has taken a heavy beating this year. While hopefully things will be able to bounce back for the most part, there's no doubt that the road to recovery is a long way ahead. Pixar's Onward is one of those films that has been affected by the Coronavirus, with a short-lived theater release before moving straight to Disney+. Judging from that statement, I bet you can guess how I was able to see this movie. Pixar is one of those studios that will offer some of the best family-friendly entertainment there is simply because the studio crafts stories that not only provide fun for the whole family, but also take risks and are rich with themes that resonate with everyone. That being said, not every feature can be Toy Story or Up, and they're have been some less than stellar entries that border on being downright forgettable. With how this one was positioned, it seemed we were gonna be faced with the latter. For me, I find it in the middle. It's not top-tier Pixar, but I still find it very enjoyable and a movie that has a very profound and moving story. Now let's see what makes Onward work and what doesn't:

UPS

1. Tom Holland and Chris Pratt. Frankly put, this paring is a dream come true. They hold a great dynamic that stands as the heart of the film. While I have issues with how the film tackles their relationship, Holland and Pratt's chemistry still shines bright and if they ever make a live-action movie where the two are cast as brothers, I would totally check it out.
2. The film moves at a pretty reasonable pace. While that comes at the cost of some solid worldbuilding and potential character drama, it does help to keep the film engaging and immerse you in the quest that the brothers share. It never felt stretched out or overstayed its welcome, and that I think is worth a plus in the UP department for me. 
3. The ending. Simply put, this is what sets Onward above other Pixar entries that don't reach the levels set by more iconic entries. The whole film revolves around the brothers bringing back their father and that of course is where the emotion comes in. What makes the ending stand out however is that it actually manages to subvert expectations in a way that feels satisfying and impactful. It may not have been what I expected, but in the end, it packed the punch and for that it felt like a fitting end. 

DOWNS

1. The film's pace, while good for the movie, does cause a bit of trimming that I feel keeps the film from being something truly special. As mentioned before, the world that this film presents is so intricate and fascinating that I would have totally supported taking some time to explore it. Likewise, and most irritating of all, it seemed like the film was setting up tension between the brothers only to drop it as soon as it was introduced. Frankly, I don't think having this happen would elevate the film per se, but if the producers were going to take time to set it up, then they should have at least tried to commit to it, even if for a small chunk of the runtime. 

OVERALL

Onward is not one of my favorite Pixar films, but it's also nowhere close to being forgettable. In fact, I think this is one of those films that's ripe for a sequel. Should that happen, I'd definitely check it out.

RATING: 7/10 - B

And that's it for this post, guys. Stay safe out there and tune in for more coming your way :)