Onward<\/em> probably fits in the middle of the pack, below Coco<\/em> and Monsters, Inc., <\/em>but above the Cars <\/em>movies. I suspect, however, that it\u2019s going to grow in estimation over time. Onward<\/em> doesn\u2019t feel like a typical Pixar movie–which isn\u2019t to say that it\u2019s not up to snuff. The attention to detail and heartfelt themes and joyful creativity are all there. It just feels like it\u2019s aimed at a different audience than the rest of the studio\u2019s releases. While most Pixar movies appeal to kids, with their parents as the not-so-secret second audience, Dan Scanlon\u2019s movie may be the first one directed primarily at older viewers. It\u2019s a little darker, and a little more mature than what we\u2019re used to seeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Onward<\/em> takes place in a fantasy realm where magic was once plentiful, but now has been replaced by more convenient technology and systems that hew pretty close to our own. The elves, dwarves, pixies and centaurs of Onward\u2019s <\/em>New Mushroomton watch workout videos, drive cars and have iPhones. They\u2019ve mostly forgotten the magic spells and epic quests that used to permeate their culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The elven Lightfoot family is the focus of the story. Ian (voiced by Tom Holland) is an awkward high schooler; his big brother Barley (Chris Pratt) is taking \u201cthe world\u2019s longest gap year,\u201d living at home, playing Dungeons and Dragons<\/em>-inspired RPGs based on their world\u2019s magical history. On Ian\u2019s 16th birthday, mom Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) gives the boys a gift from their dad, who passed away before Ian was born. Turns out, Dad was a wizard, and created a spell that allows the boys to bring him back for one day. Ian discovers he has magical ability, but it\u2019s not fully developed: he\u2019s only able to bring back his dad\u2019s lower half. The magic-obsessed Barley takes Ian–and their dad\u2019s legs–on a quest to complete the spell, and develop Ian\u2019s magical talents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Onward<\/em>\u2019s tonal difference from the rest of Pixar\u2019s output takes a bit to settle in. There\u2019s a little less of the childlike optimism and wonder that define so many of the studio\u2019s other movies, and a greater focus on relatable human relationships and conflicts. That\u2019s a little ironic, given that the characters are all magical creatures, but that\u2019s part of the point. One of the film\u2019s big themes is the two-sided nature of magic and the mundane; what happens when we take the extraordinary for granted, and the magic that happens when we try to make the most of everyday moments. Having elves, manticores and cyclops talk about how out of shape they are, or the complicated experience of step-parenting, gives weight to the universality of those experiences, and reminds us that common-seeming events can be their own epic adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, the fantastical setting also allows Scanlon and the Pixar animators to go deep on fantasy storytelling tropes and culture. D&D<\/em> publisher Wizards of the Coast gets a shoutout in the credits, and regular players will notice specific character types, settings and challenges that come directly from the game. Every scene is packed with clever details and references, as well as creative approaches to how fantastic beings might work in a world that looks like ours. You\u2019d be forgiven for checking your street for feral unicorns the next time you take out the trash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not everything about Onward<\/em> works perfectly. Pa Lightfoot\u2019s bottom half bumping around Barley\u2019s custom van takes on some Weekend at Bernie\u2019s<\/em> qualities that threaten to disrupt the movie\u2019s more heartfelt themes of family and parental loss. Some of its other turns also aren\u2019t communicated quite as cleanly as they could be, like an understandable sentence with awkward wording. It\u2019s still a fun adventure, however, made with a lot of love for the stories and games it\u2019s based on. Much of it may fly over younger viewers\u2019 heads, but those with a little more life experience–and experience points–will find plenty to appreciate. “Onward” is out Friday.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With each new Pixar release, there\u2019s a temptation to immediately see where it ranks. 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<\/p>\n\n\n\nB+<\/h1>\n\n\n\n