Grade: A-
Is it possible to have chemistry – much less great, effective chemistry – between two actors in an animated film, who may not have even been in the studio together? Apparently yes. Onward, the new Disney/Pixar movie, is a shimmeringly beautiful tribute to the bond of brotherhood, family, and along the way it has some top-shelf action scenes and moments of genuine laughter. Writer/director Dan Scanlon (Monsters University) has called upon his real life experiences of growing up without a dad. If you have fairly recently lost a parent (particularly a father), you should bring tissues and/or emotionally prepare yourself beforehand. The ending and other moments will “wreck” many an audience member. This is the tearjerkiest Pixar has gotten since Up.
Spider-man and Star Lord themselves, Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, are a hoot together as blue elf brothers Ian and Barley. On Ian’s 16th birthday, his mother (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) brings down from the attic a gift for both boys, left behind by their late father, to be opened when the youngest turned 16. It’s a magic staff meant to bring the dad back to life for 24 hours. Due to complications, the spell doesn’t complete, and the boys are left with the bottom half of their father. Just pants and shoes stumbling around. It is up to Ian and Barley to embark on a road trip to find a necessary gem to get the rest of dad to materialize before his time runs out. The older brother, Barley, supplies the most comic relief. He is a well-meaning but loudmouthed overbearing accident-prone klutz with no filter. Take the personalities of Jack Black, Seth Rogen, and Homer Simpson* and put them in a blender – then you’d have an idea. The movie manages to provide homages to other films (like Back to the Future and the Indiana Jones series) that felt more like affectionate tips of the hat than ripoffs. I loved the inclusion of an LGBT character. It was so subtle, that I didn’t even catch it until I read articles afterwards.
All of this culminates to a poignant emotional payoff which I felt was well-earned. The hour and 42 minute running time hardly feels like it. I was moved. I laughed a lot. I was entertained out of my socks. Onward is another triumph for Pixar.
Grade: A-
*Speaking of Homer, my showing began with a fabulous short film called Playdate With Destiny, starring Maggie Simpson. I’ve become more of a Family Guy man these last several years, but it was nice to be back in Springfield in the world of The Simpsons.
Film Reviews by Mark 
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