Disney’s “Onward” is truly a gift to us in 2020. When we talk about animated films, we mostly think about “kids” or “children.” But this time, Disney has brought a marvelous package, which is extremely interesting and entertaining for everyone alike, regardless of their age. Figuratively, “Onward” is the story of an average humans, badly needing to jump out of their comfort zones to discover their true potential. However, in Ian Lightfoot’s (voiced by Tom Holland) life, it means embarking on a dangerous quest filled with magic spells, racing pixies on a busy highway, and fighting a giant rock dragon—all in order to bring his dad back to life for a few precious minutes, fulfilling his age-old prophecy that he left before dying.
“Onward” is pretty much like a ride—starting with a slow pace, and then going full-throttle before it finally applies brakes and arrives at its destination. It delivers some unique and well-timed, punchy humor rarely seen in animated films, coupled with some “blink your eye and you miss it” type moments. The chemistry between Ian and his brother Barley (voiced by Chris Pratt) is something which is entirely different at the beginning, and evolves over time. Ian’s character is one of a coming-of-age boy, who goes through a challenging journey of self-reflection and self-discovery—very similar to that of Hiccup Haddock in the “How to Train your Dragon” movie series. Speaking of dragons, did I mention that Ian Lightfoot also pets a cute, fire-breathing house dragon in “Onward?”
Before Ian embarks on his fantasy mission and discovers his abilities, his world is a real-life world, and his challenges include excelling in his first driving sessions on the road, blending in with other kids at school, and becoming emotionally more mature as he grows up. Other than being a film depicting self-transformation, “Onward” also reminds us of the power of bonding in a family, and that if we lose one thing, we often gain another. The film can make you relive some of the magic of “Harry Potter,” with magical staffs casting dazzling spells to uncover dangerous paths, and a variety of creatures thriving in an intertwined world.
Tom Holland and Chris Pratt (voice actors) in a scene from “Onward” (Walt Disney Pictures, 2020).
Despite being an animated film, it is astonishing to see how remarkable it is in delivering a powerful, real-life message. It feels as if the computer-generated graphics are only a cloak over real people playing real characters in the background. The world of fantasy and adventure genres is vast and, other than “Harry Potter,” one film that could have definitely been an inspiration for the makers of “Onward” is the Will Smith starring “Bright,” which came out in 2017. In fact, Onward can give a tough competition to many real-world films in this genre.
This movie doesn’t really have too many flaws that could mar your viewing experience other than a somewhat weak start. The beginning of the film can lead you to believe you’re going to watch something entirely different than what you actually do later. But the good part is that you don’t even realize how quickly the 1-hour 40-minute runtime passes quickly as the film grasps your attention with all its beauty and exceptional creativity. The film isn’t stuffy at all and blends every element in an easy, memorable manner.
Surely one of the best animated films of the year with lots to offer, it is definitely worth looking forward to watching “Onward” and discover the magic waiting for you!
