Written by contributor Marley B
Onward is Disney’s latest addition to their animated line-up, having been released in March with an early digital release due to cinemas being closed. It stands out a little from their other recent releases, as it’s an original concept, but what it lacks in pre-existing hype, it makes up for in spades with great characters, a compelling plot, and overall great watchability.
It’s So Heart-Warming
It’s a road trip fantasy movie, but it’s also a movie about siblings, grief, and knowing who you are. There’s a lot going on, and while it’s definitely a fun movie, at its heart it’s made up of so many different parts that are all much deeper than what it seems on the surface. Barley and Ian aren’t necessarily close at the beginning, but seeing them start depending on each other is a journey in and of itself, and while their father’s role is physically minor, it adds so many layers to the emotional side of the story.
The Plot and Pacing Are Fantastic
The writers did an excellent job with these two elements, balancing the main plot, subplots, and necessary character development in a way that flows and keeps the viewer hooked. Onward takes the classic fantasy quest trope and merges it with a coming-of-age contemporary story, with a road-trip twist. It takes place over a relatively short time-span, but it didn’t end up feeling rushed or incomplete, and there was certainly a lot that they packed into this movie.
The Familial Relationships Were Excellent
Sibling relationships are one of those things that very rarely get depicted accurately on screen, but Onward manages to capture the essence of all ride-or-die siblings. Ian and Barley bicker and squabble, but they’re also there for each other in the end, no matter what. There’s also the awkward relationship between Ian, Barley, and their mother’s new boyfriend, who doesn’t quite get teenagers and perhaps isn’t the most tactful, but still tries so hard to connect with them, and their mother’s fierce protectiveness for her children is slightly intimidating at times. While Barley and Ian’s dad isn’t fully present for much of the movie, he still remains a large part of their lives, showing just how deep family bonds can run.
It’s Absolutely Hilarious
Like most movies aimed at younger audiences, this movie has a liberal sprinkling of jokes, laughs, and funny situations, like sailing down a river astride an enormous cheese puff, but this doesn’t just appeal to the children watching. The more emotional moments are never drowned out by these laughs, but the fun in this movie keeps it light-hearted and fantastic to watch. And not all of the humour is jokes: some of the most funny parts are hilarious because of how absurd they seem – think tiny biker pixies. You’ll probably find yourself in stitches at least once.
It’s Set In A World With Magical Creature and Technology, Side By Side
Onward is created with the idea that technology developed in a world where magic already existed, in much the same way that it did in our world. Technology soon outpaced magic, but the modern world is still populated by elves and centaurs and all sorts of magical creatures. The world-building isn’t purposeful and intensive, but it’s immersive and posed the interesting idea of how magic and technology could interact and co-exist. Magic may not seem mundane to us, but seeing the potential it has to be is interesting and especially the way that something that seems so special to us can be forgotten and cast aside. And on the flip side, seeing how marvellous it is even in a world where it exists but is being forgotten and how it inspires people is fascinating.
Onward may have missed out on the success that it could have had due to its inconvenient release date, but it would have been very deserving of said success. If you’re looking for a movie that takes you away from the world for a bit, makes you feel warm inside, and cheers you up all in one go, this is very much something that should be on your list.
