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Onward Review

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Onward

Review Ratings

Art/Style: 
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
Production Value: 
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
Content: 
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
Personal Enjoyment: 
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
Overall Popularity: 
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7
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final_score: 8.7

Final Review Score

8.7 / 10

Amazing

Directed by Dan Scanlon (Monsters University) and co-written with Keith Bunin and Jason Headley, Onward (2020) brought a unique hybrid concept to Pixar Animation Studios by placing classic tabletop role-playing fantasy elements into a modern suburban world. Inspired by Scanlon’s personal experience of losing his father at a young age, the film traded traditional fairytale tropes for a deeply personal, emotionally grounded exploration of grief, family legacy, and brotherhood. In this detailed Onward movie review, we examine how Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, suburban magic world-building, and a powerful subversion of quest tropes created a modern Pixar triumph.

New Mushroomton, The Visitation Spell, and the Quest for the Phoenix Gem

The story takes place in a world once rich in magic, where technological convenience has led creatures like elves, sprites, centaurs, and manticore warriors to abandon ancient spells for smartphones, automobiles, and suburban housing developments. On his 16th birthday, introverted elf Ian Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland) receives a magical wizard staff and a rare Phoenix Gem left behind by his late father, Wilden, along with a “visitation spell” capable of bringing him back for 24 hours. When the spell goes wrong and brings back only their father’s legs, Ian and his tabletop-obsessed older brother Barley (voiced by Chris Pratt) pile into Barley’s beloved van, Guinevere, on a road trip quest to find another gem before time runs out, chased by their protective mother Laurel (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and the legendary Corey the Manticore (voiced by Octavia Spencer).

Vocal Synergy, Brotherly Dynamics, and Emotional Subversion

The vocal partnership between Marvel alumni Tom Holland and Chris Pratt serves as the narrative motor of the film. Holland imbues Ian with endearing anxiety, self-doubt, and steady growth, while Pratt delivers boisterous, heartfelt enthusiasm as Barley, whose chaotic energy hides a deep protective devotion to his younger brother. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer provide energetic comedic support as a fierce mother-and-hero duo. The film’s emotional peak subverts classic quest tropes, culminating in a selfless resolution that redefines the bond between siblings with tears-inducing sincerity.

Suburban Fantasy Animation, Environmental World-Building, and Danna & Jeff Danna’s Score

Pixar’s animation team excelled in blending urban banality with mystical flair—transforming wild unicorns into trash-scavenging pests, biker gangs into tiny winged sprites, and suburban gas stations into fantasy taverns. The visual lighting, spell casting particle effects, and environmental destruction in the climactic dragon fight demonstrate high technical polish. Composers Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna crafted a soaring, folk-infused fantasy score that seamlessly blended lute melodies with driving modern rock rhythms.

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, this Onward review celebrates a remarkably touching, funny, and imaginative chapter in Pixar’s filmography. Driven by Dan Scanlon’s personal direction, wonderful voice performances from Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, clever suburban fantasy world-building, and an unforgettable emotional payoff, it stands as a resonant animated adventure.

Information

  • Title: Onward
  • Release Date: March 6, 2020
  • Director: Dan Scanlon
  • Key Cast: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Mel Rodriguez, Lena Waithe, Ali Wong
  • Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy, Family

This post is part of Pixar Movies Ranked