Regis Media Review – “Onward”

Pixar has always been known to tug at the heart strings with their movies (it blows my mind how they keep coming up with stuff) and this one is no different. The movie is also surrounded by a plethora of unique ideas you don’t normally see in this kind of film.

Onward takes place in a typical fantasy world: wizards, elves, goblins, quests, dragons, and all that good stuff. However, the creatures of this realm feel magic is too hard to master and eventually “urbanize” it. Magic is no longer common. Onward follows the story of two elf brothers named Ian and Barley. Ian never knew his father because he passed away before he was born, and Barley only grasps a few memories of him. When Ian turns 16 he is given a gift by his mom that comes from his father. Lo and behold it’s a wizard staff. His brother Barley spends his time playing a fantasy board game “based on historical events” so he sees this and thinks he knows everything. After finding out their father has given them a spell that can bring him back for 24 hours, Ian and Barley attempt to cast the spell and are “partially” successful, bringing back their father only from the waist down. The brothers set out on a quest to obtain a gem they initially used in order to bring the other half of their father back in time to see him just once.

I think this movie has a very good emotional foundation from the get go. The idea of being able to see a close one one last time, and having the clarity that whatever you say will stick with you forever is incredibly moving and something anyone who’s lost somebody can relate to. Pixar has always been good at finding a theme that relates to some form of human growth or emotional closure, and this is easily one of the most personal ones. What is unique about this movie in terms of the crust surrounding the story is the fantasy setting and the conflicts the characters struggle with. In most kids movies (note that Disney/Pixar make movies for everyone) the conflict is usually forced or convenience, however in this film it is completely natural and helps us connect with the characters. This is a movie I think people should really understand the message; to which I could simply put as “Never waste a moment you have with the people you love.” Life can take things away in an instant and you never want to live harboring regret.

And now some quick thoughts from fellow Disney fan Alicen Ditter: “It’s a very cute and funny movie about the adventure two brothers take to see their father one last time”