Set in a world where humans don’t exist, instead there is a world full of magical characters and creatures. A long time ago, many of these characters were capable of using magic in their everyday life. But as technology and inventions began to be developed (such as the invention of the light bulb), the creatures started to use less magic until they generally forgot how to use it.

In the present day, Onward focuses on a pair of elven brothers. Ian (Tom Holland) & Barley (Chris Pratt) unfortunately lost their father due to an illness when the two were still young. When Ian has a birthday, he is given a present by his mother that was left for the two brothers before his father passed away. The two brothers discover that their father was knowledgeable of magic and they are given a magical staff along with instructions on how they can bring their father back for a short period. So the two brothers decide to go on a magical quest to complete what is required to bring back their father and spend time with him once more.

The world of Onward is fantastic. I love witnessing some the creativity within both the world and the creatures that appear in this film. Seeing a group of small fairies driving motorbikes like a bikie gang is just one of the humorous examples. It’s also apparent that the film has been influenced by other medieval and magical films such as The Lord of the Rings franchise.

The voice work here is also great with actor Chris Pratt quickly being the standout and bringing lots of energy to the screen. The two leads, voiced by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, also worked well together, and I felt the chemistry between the two was genuine and relatable. Speaking of relatable, the plot itself is touching too, and the film manages to bring a nice balance of humour and heartfelt moments.

The visuals and audio track as per usual for a Pixar film are outstanding. There’s lots of fun to be had, particularly with the movie’s audio track. Sound effects of all the crazy creatures/monsters or even the sound of Barley’s van struggling to run are just some of the fun moments I had with my surround sound system.

Overall, it should come as no surprise that Pixar has delivered yet again another heartfelt animation with added humour along the way. The voice work here is pleasing (particularly from actor Chris Pratt). The film’s visuals and audio track is also a blast. If you’re seeking something fun and brainless, this film comes easily recommended.

8.0/10

Thank you for visiting!

Walkden Entertainment is also available multiple platforms!

For more information, click here: https://linktr.ee/walkdenentertainment

Review Written by Peter Walkden