Review: Onward
Pixar movies, for better or worse, are reflections of their creators. That’s why our ears perk up when we hear that Pete Doctor (Inside Out, Up) is at the helm of a new project for the loveable animation studio. Pixar has been at the forefront of the animation medium for more than two decades now, but in that time, with the average animation film often doubling the production time of a feature length live action film, there are going to be a few misses along with the hits. As hard as it may be to admit, Onward is a miss.
The film, in true Pixar fashion, maintains its jaw-dropping animation and heart-warming characters, but the story conventions feel contrived and unfortunately when you’ve been exposed to inspired work over and over again, it’s hard not to go into every screening of a Pixar film with sky high expectations.
At the heart of the film is a relationship between two brothers and their desires to bring their late father back to life. The magical world in which the story is set makes this a possibility and the fun, dungeons and dragons style-esque quest which serves as the backdrop makes for enjoyable set pieces, but again, when held up against their other, groundbreaking projects, it’s hard to shake that feeling of disappointment.
If you’re going into your screening of Onward with neutral expectations and looking for a good time, you’ll be happy. But that’s no easy task when you’ve been conditioned to expect only the best from Pixar.