Read Mixed User Reviews for Onward

4

TVJerryMar 6, 2020

Pixar has had some stumbles in the past, but this one rates as their biggest fall yet. The concept seemed cool: A modern world inhabited by all sorts of mythical creatures has lost its magic. Two brothers (voiced by Tom Holland and Tom Pratt)Pixar has had some stumbles in the past, but this one rates as their biggest fall yet. The concept seemed cool: A modern world inhabited by all sorts of mythical creatures has lost its magic. Two brothers (voiced by Tom Holland and Tom Pratt) set out to share one final day with their departed father, while rekindling the enchantment of their forgotten world. None of the characters are especially memorable and there aren't any cute sidekicks to add wacky charm. The script is rather bland, never funny and tries way too hard to be sweetly emotional. Finally, the animation is seldom beautiful or even cool. Kids might enjoy the high-energy pacing, but there's not much else to make this one stand out. To flex Disney's new Fox muscles, there's rather dumb (literally and figuratively) Simpsons short before the feature (and I'm a big Simpsons fan).… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful55

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6

danmanliveMar 8, 2020

The animation and score are gorgeous. It was fun without being brilliant. Second half better then the first. It had its moments but was lacking in humour. I was not surprised by anything. I did not really care for all the characters. It’sThe animation and score are gorgeous. It was fun without being brilliant. Second half better then the first. It had its moments but was lacking in humour. I was not surprised by anything. I did not really care for all the characters. It’s good that it’s original Pixar but they can do better… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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6

Stream2BigScreeMar 6, 2020

Welcome backeth to the mystical movie review siteth of the new decade, Stream To Big Screen! This quest will lead us down the path of peril to end up at our ultimate goal, a review of Onward. Onward was a movie about two brothers on a one ofWelcome backeth to the mystical movie review siteth of the new decade, Stream To Big Screen! This quest will lead us down the path of peril to end up at our ultimate goal, a review of Onward. Onward was a movie about two brothers on a one of a kind journey to find a gem that will help them complete a spell that will give them 24 hours with their deceased father. There were pitfalls and pixies along the dangerous way. Are you, brave soul, up to the challenge?

Ok, enough of the dungeons and dragons talk. Onward is a movie presented by the pairing of Disney and Pixar. Typically, the Disney/Pixar duo makes magic on the cinematic screen. Thus, Onward had a high bar to overcome. Viewers will expect the likes of an Up, Toy Story franchise, or even, Coco; but Onward cannot compare. I say that to say, the lower the expectations of this movie the better it will be going into it. Onward, led by Tom Holland, as Ian Lightfoot, and Chris Pratt, as Barley Lightfoot, is just a solid but typical pre-teen odyssey movie. Now, the two mentioned previously do a pretty good job of carrying the movie, Pratt more than Holland. Barley is exactly how I'd picture Pratt as a young adult. Holland, on the other hand, was less inspiring, more of just a voice than a believable character. That may have been the writing or it might be Holland's deliver. Unfortunately, Pixar and the writers didn't take any risks in the writing or storylines of this movie. Don't get me wrong, I love a good brotherly love excursion but the envelope wan't pushed enough.

Aside from that, the cast as whole did a pretty good job. Shout to Octavia Spencer for stealing the movie! What the movie did well is a little comedy and the overall animation. First, we all have come to love Pixar's animation, that's an obvious; however, it was the depiction of disabled creatures, clothing, movement of characters, and re-imagination of modern life that really was enjoyable. Oh, yeah, and the movie did have my neighbor and I bust out laughing at two parts (no really kid laughter though).

Sadly, Onward is not my favorite Pixar movie. The things that make this movie succeed does not outweigh the basic, uninspired plot. The disappointment may be due to the expectations based on Pixar’s past successes, but it didn’t translate here. Onward is a strong bowl of popcorn during a family movie night (I would understand a matinee for the kids but parents won’t get their monies worth).… Expand

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

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5

tropicAcesMar 6, 2020

It’s perfectly fine B-level Pixar stuff. Some clever jokes and beautiful animation, but it’s also got some awkward moments and an overall sense of lacking effort.

4 of 12 users found this helpful48

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4

djniceyApr 13, 2020

Pixars standards have REALLY dropped for this movie. It has some unique and original elements but all in all its just a standard journey quest plot that has been done many times before. Its something to watch to pass the time and the endingPixars standards have REALLY dropped for this movie. It has some unique and original elements but all in all its just a standard journey quest plot that has been done many times before. Its something to watch to pass the time and the ending is quite heartfelt but it doesn't come anywhere close to Up, Inside Out or any number of other Pixar movies. Its more like a Dreamworks B movie than a polished Pixar movie with a strong story and emotional content. Entertaining enough, my kids sat through it but weren't particularly interested or engaged by the characters, story or animation. Its a safe by-the-numbers family film thats missing the Pixar magic of other films.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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5

theredskyApr 7, 2020

I truly love Pixar. It’s still probably one of the best animation studios working today but I have noticed a slight decline in the quality of their films since 2011. Not to say their films from 2011 on are bad (except Cars 2), they justI truly love Pixar. It’s still probably one of the best animation studios working today but I have noticed a slight decline in the quality of their films since 2011. Not to say their films from 2011 on are bad (except Cars 2), they just aren’t as good as their films from the 90’s and 2000’s. I would say Pixar’s last truly great films would be Inside Out and Coco and unfortunately, their mediocre streak is carrying over into this decade. Onward is a very mixed film for me. On one hand, I liked the animation, music, 3rd Act, and themes of brotherhood but I also didn’t like the first two acts and the characters. Characters are essential to making a Pixar film interesting to watch and I found the characters here not that interesting. Pixar has a fantastic track record for making interesting characters such as The Parr family from The Incredibles and Remi from Ratatouille. I’m not comparing the characters from those movies to the ones in Onward but I’m just trying to make a point that Pixar is very capable of making great characters but for some reason, they couldn’t do it here. I do like the brotherhood message that they share but that’s really about it. I didn’t find any of them relatable nor did I find myself interested by their actions. They change as people but it didn’t follow an interesting path. They just kinda changed suddenly and without question. The build up to the 3rd Act of the film was slow and dull to me. I wasn’t interested in the adventure at all and it felt like it took a really long time before the 3rd Act started but after that point, I found myself enjoying the film which is a shame because I finally started to enjoy the film when it was about to end. The final action scene used the environment well and was enjoyable to watch and the realization that Ian has was good. I just wish the lead up was much much more interesting. That’s not to say there weren't other factors that I liked about the film. Obviously, the film looks fantastic. This is something that has remained consistent with almost every Pixar movie. The visuals are spot on and the locations look really good and somewhat realistic for a fantasy world. I also thought the music was great. It was the only thing I really noticed during the first two acts and some of the music in the 3rd act can/do have the potential to bring some to tears. Overall, Onward is a step down in terms of characters and interesting stories for Pixar but it still retains its great visuals and music streak going.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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6

RobwinzApr 19, 2020

The animation for this movie is pretty good and also, the actors do a pretty good job for what they're given, especially Tom Holland and Chris Pratt. Finally, the story had some quite predictable scenes from start to finish but overall, IThe animation for this movie is pretty good and also, the actors do a pretty good job for what they're given, especially Tom Holland and Chris Pratt. Finally, the story had some quite predictable scenes from start to finish but overall, I think most families with children will enjoy this movie for what it is.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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6

hnestlyontheslyMar 8, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. “Onward was sad all the way through. At no point does it cease being sad. At points, it’s funny, but never happy. They are constantly losing things as try to temporarily regain a thing they’ve already lost permanently,” was Wife’s assessment after leaving the theater. She was attracted to this movie for two reasons: she nurses a soft spot for absurdist humor and resurrecting your dead dad but just pants checked that box, but also the premise of what if magic but now? Onward, despite being the first original Pixar movie since that complete knock off of The Book of Life, Coco, has been getting some criticism for feeling formulaic.

And to be sure there are elements of the Hero’s Journey throughout, but I agree with Wife when she says, the movie does a good job of being self-referential in terms of its borrowing from other stories. It’s not just a fantasy movie. Its characters are learning things from a D&D guide. Their mission-giving Barkeep doesn’t play her role straight, she’s evolved past those genre tropes and then come back around on the next pendulum swing. Sure, there’s pixies and elves and a dragon or two, but they are less central to the storytelling than might first appear. The individual scenes rely more on a funny premise about the magical modern world (by the way, one of the coolest books that doubles down on this premise is The War of the Flowers by Tad Williams, which was written before and after 9/11), like what if pixies but a gang, or what if tavern but for kids, what if boat but Cheeto, etc.

Some of the most poignant moments aren’t magically or familially premised at all, really. My favorite moment is admittedly a Bing-Bong-esque (from Inside Out) final scene when Barley sacrifices his beloved van, the one thing he wants to be able to show his father, in order to continue on the quest. This is the sort of thing Wife means when she says that the boys are constantly losing things in order to temporarily regain something permanently lost. They shed their most prized possessions and desires in order to be able to discover, like Dorothy (in more ways than one, Wife compares this movie to that), they never really lost anything in the first place.

I went in prepared for this to be a tearjerker of a dad-son movie, but, honestly, it’s more of a pro-sibling and pro-car movie than anything else. For anyone who doesn’t have a brother or sister and anyone who’s never tried to learn how to drive a car, this movie will be deeply, deeply alienating, which I think makes it fun. Friend says he could imagine a situation in which there had been multiple scripts for how long Ian and Barley would spend with their dad, and the idea that they went with, “none” or “close to none” was a strong choice.

If I were going to pick apart one nefarious little detail in this movie, I’d say one of the most troubling aspects of this movie that goes unaddressed is the fact that magic seems to exhibit features of selective inheritance. Barley is completely unable to cast spells, despite his self-confidence and his “heartsfire,” despite his own magical father’s genes, and his father’s wish that they will have “a little magic” in them too. If the wishes of a dying wizard parent cannot inject a little extra magic in you, what will? The learning of even high level magic spells isn’t actually that difficult–Ian’s able to Mary-Jane his way into a top level sorcerer in about a day’s time–but something arbitrary and deeply unfair prevents Barley from being able to cast magic, despite the fact that Manticores and pixies can fly, centaurs can run fast, and basically every other magical creature can magic stuff. Barley doesn’t feel jealous about this (yet), but it does sort of subjugate him to the dewy-eyed, cheerleading best friend role in a way that doesn’t quite feel resolved.

I didn’t find Onward to be boring, not nearly as terrible as The Good Dinosaur, and I prefer it immensely to sequel three of Toy Story or even two of Frozen.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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5

TyranianMar 29, 2020

Not as bad as Toy Story 4 but without the great characters and witty writing that made Pixar.

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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5

KlebartMar 10, 2020

The movie itself is watchable and generally enjoyable. The short film that opens before the main film is completely worthless. It has no point. It's not funny or entertaining at all and ruins the opening of the main film.

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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6

JoeCoolMar 13, 2020

This movie is pretty subpar for Pixar. The concept of a modern world simply having gotten out of touch with magic and some RPG-game kids rediscovering it and going on a quest might sound nice, but it tries too hard. While the third act isThis movie is pretty subpar for Pixar. The concept of a modern world simply having gotten out of touch with magic and some RPG-game kids rediscovering it and going on a quest might sound nice, but it tries too hard. While the third act is emotionally rewarding, overall the journey isn't all that it could have been.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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6

JLuis_001Mar 17, 2020

Pixar never challenges but delights, although Onward is unlikely to sneak into the studio's most notable titles, especially because despite the quality, this story feels a bit docile, because it doesn't seem like it tried to amaze itsPixar never challenges but delights, although Onward is unlikely to sneak into the studio's most notable titles, especially because despite the quality, this story feels a bit docile, because it doesn't seem like it tried to amaze its audience but simply to entertain them. With quality yes but not with that magic of their best stories.

Definitely recommended, don't have doubts about that but it's missing more punch.

And while the comparison with Fullmetal Alchemist can be argued, ultimately they're both different stories.… Expand

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

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6

ajzeg01May 14, 2020

When I first heard about this movie, I was really excited. It’s the first movie in Pixar’s new initiative to focus only on original films once again. That, and I like the idea behind the movie. What if a Lord of the Rings-esque fantasy worldWhen I first heard about this movie, I was really excited. It’s the first movie in Pixar’s new initiative to focus only on original films once again. That, and I like the idea behind the movie. What if a Lord of the Rings-esque fantasy world progressed into the modern era with technology? I know there was that Netflix movie Bright with the same idea, but that movie sucked. I expected that Pixar would do something a lot more interesting with the idea and tell a better story with it. However, and it pains me to say this, but this movie is not very good. It’s not a terrible movie by any means, but by Pixar standards this is definitely on the bottom half of their filmography. First of all, the universe this movie takes place in it not very interesting. It’s literally just a modern setting that just happens to be inhabited by fantasy creatures. There were some interesting ideas, like fantasy RPGs being based on history, but there weren’t really any interesting design choices and it doesn’t feel very well thought-out. I can’t help but compare Onward to Zootopia, another animated film that takes place in an alternate universe, in which animals evolved and became civilized. In that movie, every detail of the world was fleshed out. There was real thought and attention to detail given to this world and how it would function with its different-sized inhabitants. There’s nothing like that in Onward. The comedy did not work for me at all. I never laughed once. The writing and dialogue just isn’t that great. Also, one of the main characters is a disembodied pair of legs. It was an interesting idea, but I don’t feel like the character was expressive enough and I don’t feel like he had enough of a connection with the other two main characters when he really should, he’s their resurrected dead father. He’s treated like a prop half the time. The story felt very repetitive and way too familiar. I feel like I’ve seen something like it in a million other movies. As for the animation, it’s fine. It’s appealing and colourful and energetic, but nothing about it stood out or felt like it was pushing the boundaries of technology. Personally, I thought Toy Story 4 looked a lot better. Even some of the Pixar SparkShorts on Disney+ look more impressive. Releasing the trailer for Pixar’s next movie Soul before this movie was a big mistake. The animation in that looks a million times better and more interesting. The voice acting was also fine, but I have to say I’m getting pretty sick of Chris Pratt and Tom Holland. They’re in everything! Give some other actors a try! Not every movie needs to have a Marvel actor in it! Give it a rest! Now, believe it or not, there actually is one thing that I really enjoyed about this movie and think is very well-done, the third act. Without giving anything away, all the creativity, emotion and heart that you would expect out of a Pixar movie can be found in the third act. It has a really great climax, some great character moments and a great message. If the whole movie were more like act three, I would have liked it a lot more than I did. However, I can’t really give the movie any extra credit if it only starts getting really good at the end. As for my recommendation, well, if you’re a Pixar fan you’ve probably already seen it. I actually highly recommend that you show it to your kids. I don’t think the unoriginal story or worldbuilding issues would bother them and it does have a really good moral. There’s a lot in it for kids to like. As for older audiences, if you’re a fan of Tolkien or D&D you might get some enjoyment out of it. Otherwise, you could watch it if you’re curious, it’s on Disney+, but I say skip it and wait for Soul. It really doesn’t appeal to adults in the same way that most of Pixar’s other movies do. Man, what is up with Disney lately? It seems ever since Ralph Breaks the Internet, they haven’t been able to make many good non-Marvel movies. All those remakes, Frozen II, The Rise of Skywalker and now Onward, among others, have not been up to Disney’s usual quality. But who cares about quality when you have all the money? Damn shame.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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6

JordanLaytonApr 27, 2020

I think Bright may have burned out my interest in modern worlds filled with fantasy creatures, but despite that I still enjoyed this brothers adventure movie from Pixar.

I don't know why the aesthetic of this just doesn't quite rub me theI think Bright may have burned out my interest in modern worlds filled with fantasy creatures, but despite that I still enjoyed this brothers adventure movie from Pixar.

I don't know why the aesthetic of this just doesn't quite rub me the right way. Maybe it just feels like an indication that Pixar is out of ideas in terms of crazy new worlds to show us? Regardless of that gripe, this was still a good film.

Tom Holland and Chris Pratt voiced the two brothers in the film and they fully melted into their characters. You would think these two MCU and Parks and Rec stars would be extremely recognizable, but I only noticed it was them for the first couple of scenes. From them on I was nicely immersed in the adventurous plot this movie has. What was particularly nice about said plot is that nearly every problem the main characters face throughout it related to their relationship as brothers in some way or another. Whether it was the elder teaching the younger something, the elder learning to not underestimate the younger, or the two of them coming to fully trust one another, the core of almost every obstacle they encountered on their grand journey tied back into a different aspect of their brotherhood. It shouldn't come as any surprise that Pixar nailed all the feels in this one. One aspect of the film that felt a little half-baked was the mother's b-plot of chasing after her children. It didn't service the story at all and had one equally half-baked payoff. It makes sense that a mother would go after her children like she does, but I just wish her story was given another beat or two. The way it is just makes it seem like an obvious, weak, insert character for any parents watching with their kids. Onward feels like a film that had a lot of hands on it throughout its writing process. Several side characters come off completely unnecessary and a few plot points just don't feel fully developed. It doesn't help that the films aesthetic isn't quite for me. That said, Pixar nailed what it almost always does in terms of beautiful animation and main character beats that result in many not-so-dry eyes. Definitely worth watch if you already have Disney+.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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5

bfoore90Jun 23, 2020

This movie is pretty subpar for Pixar standards, it's easily their weakest film in a while. The animation and score are gorgeous, the plot leaves alot to be desired.