Onward
2020 · Directed by Dan Scanlon
Original language: English
- adventure
- animation
- comedy
- family
- fantasy
The story
In a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated 3D animation with a suburban fantasy world built from everyday textures: cul-de-sacs of pastel houses, strip-mall taverns, minivans beside unicorn stables, all lit with warm late-afternoon sun and the cool blue of dusk. The camera moves with bouncy, cheerful energy, cutting quickly through action sequences and settling into quieter two-shots in kitchens and car interiors where the light turns soft and amber. The score is playful and orchestral with bursts of synth-tinged adventure, and the sound design is full of small domestic clatter that makes the magic feel grounded. Its vibe is wistful but amused: funny, warm, and quietly sad underneath, the way a family comedy can be when a father is missing from the table. The pacing is brisk and the tone light enough for a family movie night, though a few sequences with monsters and a tense climax carry mild peril and some cartoon action, with grief handled gently. The arc follows two brothers, one anxious and one impulsive, learning to understand each other after loss. It suits families, comfort watches, and anyone who likes a funny road movie with a tender core.
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