Onward - Movie Review

 Onward review

Onward is the 2020 Disney Pixar movie, which due to the COVID 19 outbreak was available for digital download while still in theatres. It is the first Disney movie to be available so; and this is my review.

The graphics were so good that I thought "Hey! The movie makers have cheated! They used footage from real life mixed into this animated film!" Only upon closer inspection did I really see the detail that was put into animating this film.

The plot revolves around magic, modernization and a mystical adventure to reunite two siblings with their dead father for a day. A good concept that coupled with the good direction and production, hits all the important points. The emotional weight in this movie made me wonder; "Why aren't many people talking about it?"

The voice actors include Marvel actors, Tom Holland and Chris Pratt. And that isn't even an important detail. The voice acting in this movie is so well done, that the people behind it do not really matter! Humanity has reached a point of advancement in technology where we are able to witness animated characters as if they were real.

The story deals with a variety of issues, while keeping the most important one in focus - family. It feels as if one or two plot points were sidelined and a few of the throwaway jokes were not necessary for the plot. However, this DOES NOT in anyway ruin the overall experience of the movie.

There was a killer third act which neatly ties up all the loose ends that were built up in the early stages. The plot elements up to that point will make the attentive audience member go "Oh! No! They are going to make the character (and us) choose between A and B", only for the movie to pull the rug under our feet and make the choice between A and C, instead.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

I remember seeing the final dragon scene and thinking, "Wow. I didn't think that that could be possible!" The final action scene explores options that could have been used in earlier films, and capitalises on it. I am not intentionally putting this film on a pedestal - there are as good, and even better, films out there. Nevertheless, I feel that there needs to be some stress on the final action scene.

Final Action Scene

In order to actually understand what I witnessed, you will have to watch the movie. However, the following is my simple explanation:

Do you watch movies and wish, "Ah. If I were there, I would have done this!" "Why didn't the villain do this, because clearly she or he can do that!"

The reason why certain things do not happen in movies of the past is that there are technical limitations. Perhaps an actor cannot perform an action in a continuous take, or there are scenes which cannot be shot in a particular manner due to the buildings or the sunlight.

This is where animated movies come in. The sky's the limit while working on animated features. The creators can make whatever they wish using their imagination and the graphics software that they are working with. 

The phenomenal ending with the dragon flying towards the hills near the sea - that was truly an amazing experience. Normally, a dragon fight would go with the main hero rolling around and takes swipes at the dragon wherever possible; the camera showing the view from behind the hero with a few cuts to make the action seem more intense.

But Onward has taken that concept and gone into another direction with it. The wishes of the viewer who thought "I wish the enemy didn't have to stay like that, she or he could have attacked from there" will come to visualisation. 

Yes! Our computer generated graphics have advanced to that level!

The cool climax must not take the spotlight away from the story elements in play either. I am certain that there were not many dry eyes  in the theatre when this movie was first screened. The writers have really put their all in, when aiming to pull at the heartstrings of the audience.