REVIEW: Onward is an Adventure for the Everyone
Prepare to go the quest of a lifetime in Pixar’s new movie, Onward. Ian Lightfoot (Tom Holland) is a shy elf who embarks on a journey to see his deceased father one last time with the help of his older brother, Barley (Chris Pratt). The brothers’ town, New Mushroomton, once thrived on magic. Wizards would use their powers to help the townspeople solve their problems. However, when the process became too time consuming, the town sought other resolutions and the wizards’ magic disappeared- or so the town thought.
On Ian’s 16th birthday, he and his older brother Barley receive an old wizard staff from their deceased father along with a spell that will allow the boys to see their father one last time. The spell doesn’t work the way the boys thought and their chance to their father again begins to slip away. Ian and Barley must set out on a quest to find the missing Phoenix gem needed to give them the power to finish the spell and see their father again.
Pratt is the clear standout as Ian’s over the top, wizard obsessed brother, Barley. Pratt’s voice was made for voiceover work and he nails it with every scene. His ability to come up with fun, different voices for the character helped bring an extra layer of excitement to the role and to the film. Holland also did a nice job voicing Ian, but is outshined by Pratt. The other standout is Octavia Spencer. Spencer voices Corey, the manticore (a mix between lion, dragon and scorpion) who Ian and Barley come to for help on their quest.It is clear Spencer had a blast bringing to life her character. Her character is not the lead in this movie, but she steals basically every scene she is in.
Pixar has always done a nice job bringing stories to life that on the surface don’t make sense on paper. From talking cars to an incredible family, their films are entertainment that make you feel and think and question. That tradition continues with thier latest addition, Onward. The relationship between the brothers is the key theme but a journey isn’t a journey without a person also going through his own self-discovery. This is an enjoyable ride from start to finish. Make sure to take the family and/or your friends to see the movie this weekend.
Grade: A