Embracing Magic is Pixar’s Answer to Frozen with Elves in Onward

How many times have you wished you had just one more moment with a loved one or had the chance to meet a grandparent of parent you never had the chance to meet?

When teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot (Tom Holland and Chris Pratt) get an opportunity to spend one more day with their late dad,  Barley’s epic van Guinevere takes the boys on a journey is filled with spells, cryptic maps, impossible obstacles and unimaginable eye-opening conquests.  Of course all of this happens on Ian’s birthday and without the permission of their Mom Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).  Once she  realizes her boys are missing, she teams up with a part-lion, part-bat, part-scorpion, former warrior – aka The Manticore (Octavia Spencer) to find them. Perilous curses aside, this one magical day turns out to mean more than any of them could have ever imagined in their wildest dreams.

Octavia Spencer and Chris Pratt steal the show.  Their voices are the perfect embodiment to The Manticore and Barley.  It’s as if their were tailor made for animation.  Tom Holland’s is perfect as Ian and makes him likable and heartfelt, even when his character doesn’t want to be at time as he becomes cross with Barley.

Writer and Director Dan Scanlon, who recently brought us Toy Story 4 has done it again providing audiences with a family friendly story that will resonate and assist with any child who feels different or quirky to embrace what is uniquely them. I particularly love how they made Laurel look like a ‘real mom’ who was zaftig with hips, butt and girth.  Thank you for THAT.  Onward also has a vibe that could very easily be compared to Frozen with boy elves.  Regardless, Im there for all of it!

Cinematographers Sharon Calahan and Adam Habib bring to life some the brightest, most beautiful pixie fairies, unicorns and countrysides making every frame pop with excitement and wonder. The score is infused with classic rock music that drives the action sequences along with verve.

Onward is one of these films that leaves you with an appreciation for life, loved ones and how to not take any moments we are allowed to inhabit for granted.  Take your entire family and bring some tissue when Pixar’s latest hit screens on March 6th.