Pixar continues “Onward” with its latest installment
By: Cari Rusk
Fantasy and reality collide in Disney/Pixar’s latest installment, Onward. Directed by Dan Scanlon, the film is set in a fantasy suburb where magic has faded due to advancements of technology. Pixies are unable to fly, unicorns dig through trash, and the once fearless Manticore is now the owner of a family-friendly restaurant. Two elf brothers named Ian and Barley Lightfoot discover that there is still a little magic left in the world, so they embark on a quest to bring back their deceased Dad for one last day together. Scanlon’s second go at directing a Disney/Pixar film was an epic success, as he addressed tough themes while keeping a light-hearted and humorous narrative.
Superstars Tom Holland and Chris Pratt lend their voices to bring to life Ian and Barley. Holland creates a believable character in the wimpy, self-conscious Ian and transforms him into a confident and likeable hero, while Pratt conveys Barley as the comic relief and screw-up throughout the majority of the movie. Perhaps most importantly, the characters’ voices do not reflect any of Holland’s or Pratt’s previous roles. They create separate identities from their extremely popular Marvel characters.
With comedy and adventure in the forefront, it’s amazing to analyze how dark and upsetting the themes of this film are. A once magical world full of magical creatures has now become a world exactly like our own. The creatures have adapted to the advancements of technology and have evolved around these crutches. Instead of flying around, pixies use motorcycles for transportation, as their wings are seemingly useless. This evolution is a call-out to humanity’s own reliance on technology. Perhaps our world was once filled with magic, but we have since long forgotten it because of our own advancements.
Another theme of the film is loss and death. The plot of the movie is upsetting, as they are attempting to bring back their deceased father, who died of cancer before Ian was born. As they go on this adventure to bring back the rest of their Dad (their first attempt at the spell only brought back his legs) there is frustration from Ian, as he thinks Barley is screwing up his chances to meet the father he has longed for. In the end, Ian gives up his chances to meet his father, and lets Barley say goodbye to him one last time.
These are heavy themes for an animated movie with children as a target audience, but that is what makes Disney/Pixar movies stand out from the rest. The similar topic of loss was heavily addressed in the 2017 Disney-Pixar film CoCo, which won several awards including an academy award and a golden globe. The combination of real-world themes, stunning animation, and lovable characters are the recipe for a Disney-Pixar success. Onward and Scanlon continue this legacy as a lovable and teachable film for all.
Photo Source:
Disney/Pixar. Onward. 2019. IMDb, www.imdb.com/title/tt7146812/mediaviewer/rm797149953.