Onward - A good filler episode

In television, shows will often have what are called "filler" episodes. Segments that are not necessarily of the best possible quality, but are there to fill in the space to meet a required number or length of runtime. Mind you; this is not an automatic sign of poor quality. Some filler episodes turn out to be better than others, but even the best of them tend to be lacking in particular something-or-other that gives the show its identity and charm. It's still entertaining and enjoyable, just not entirely on par with what you likely have come to expect. Onward is not an episode of a television show, but it does feel like a filler episode keeping audiences occupied well enough in anticipation of the more significant presentation. A very well made and entertaining one, but filler none the less.

Set in a world where classical fantasy creatures live in modern urban civilization (and magic now lives in the realm of legend and myth), the story follows two Elf brothers named Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt). Their father passed away when Tom was very young, leaving the two boys with their mother and each other. Upon Ian's 16th birthday, his mother gives him a gift from his dad, which turns out to be a magical staff along with a spell that will allow their father to come back to life for just one day. Ian and Barley try the enchantment but don't quite finish it, leaving their resurrected father only halfway developed. With only 24 hours before the magic wears off, the two brothers venture on a quest to find another magical item that will help them complete the spell and spend their day with dad.

As expected from PIXAR, the narrative is pretty solid. It's a classic story about brotherly love, family, coming to terms with loss, and finding one's inner courage. As I stated in my review for Toy Story 4 last year, I have no reason ever to doubt that PIXAR will deliver quality stories. Even so, while this narrative, in particular, does retain some of their usual polish, it doesn't quite have the same level of maturity you would expect. Not to say that the film is juvenile, far from it! It just doesn't have the same level of je ne sais quoi that you get from movies like Monsters, Inc. or any of the Toy Story films. If those movies are an elegant Steak dinner, then Onward is more of a tastefully crafted Cheeseburger. Both are equally enjoyable and made of the same stuff, but one has a little more panache than the other.

Visually, the film is incredibly gorgeous and showcases how far PIXAR, and indeed computer animation, has advanced since its conception. Details and textures look damn near real enough to touch. The designs of the characters and the environments are distinctive and creative. The lighting, and by extension the cinematography, is downright excellent! One of the significant aspects of PIXAR films that make them stand out (aside from profound stories) is their commitment to combining animation with real-world camera effects. Over the years, they've developed programs that can replicate the style of specific lenses, various methods of camera movement, and even the unique looks of multiple types of light bulbs. With every PIXAR film comes a new wonder to behold.

The cast, particularly the two leads, deliver pretty solid performances. Tom Holland and Chris Pratt have excellent chemistry despite them merely providing the voices. Chris Pratt especially gets to be a manic ball of energy he seems to be and is having a blast. Personally speaking, I would love to see him do more voice over work rather than yet another Jurassic World disaster.

Oh, was that my out-loud voice? Sorry.

Onward may not be PIXAR's next most excellent film, but it is a solid piece of work that retains just enough of their usual charm to make it extra enjoyable. It's clearly aimed at younger audiences as reflected in parts of the pacing, which can come across as a little rushed. Even so, it never goes into a full-on hyperactive mode and provides enough universal appreciation for all audiences. If you got an hour and a half to kill, give this one a shot.

Is this movie worth seeing?
Yes.

Is it worth seeing in Theaters?
Maybe.

Why?
If you have kids, then you're likely going to see it on the big screen anyway, and while it is mostly for them, it's not without its bits of adult appreciation here and there. Otherwise, you may prefer to wait for video on this one.

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading.