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Onward (2020) Review

Genuine heart,, mostly-average story

  • Shakyl Lambert Shakyl Lambert
  • March 5, 2020
  • 2 Minute Read
Onward (2020) Review 4
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Score: 6.5 / 10

Onward is set in a fantasy world wherein magic has essentially faded away thanks to the convenience of technology. Think Dungeons and Dragons by way of Zootopia. 

Our heroes are two elves, the introverted Ian (Tom Holland) and his brash-but-goofy older brother Barley (Chris Pratt). On Ian’s 16th birthday, he receives a wizard staff and gem from their long-deceased father, as well as a spell to bring him back for 24 hours. However, the spell goes wrong halfway through, the gem is destroyed and dad only returns in the form of a sentient pair of legs. The two then ride off on a quest to find another gem and complete the spell before time runs out.

Pixar is known for creating new worlds that you genuinely feel excited to see each new nook and cranny.  That special something feels missing here. The idea of magic being mostly faded away by technology is good, but it never really takes that much advantage of that idea. Instead, the movie’s peppered with a lot of obvious gags that have been done better not just in other road trip movies, but even within Pixar’s own catalogue, like the gang of. A bunch of them still work, but it never has.

Onward (2020) Review 2

Final Thoughts:

Onward has a lot of genuine heart, but the mostly-average story, setting and writing still feel a huge letdown from Pixar’s usual high standards.
Shakyl Lambert

Shakyl Lambert

I write/talk movie stuff at @CGMagonline @DailyGrindhouse @OneOfUsNet. I like SpongeBob memes.
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Onward (2020) Review 6

Onward

Director(s): Dan Scanlon
Cast: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer
Running Time: 102 min

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