Starring: : Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Rated PG for action/peril and some mild thematic elements
Onward is the newest Pixar film in which two brothers go on a quest to see their deceased father. On his 16th birthday, Ian (voiced by Tom Holland) is given a magical spell on how to bring back his deceased father. After failing to bring him back completely, Ian and his brother, Barley (voiced by Chris Pratt), go on an adventure to completely bring back their father before time runs out.
The animation in Onward is quite stunning, as is the order for Pixar films. Every detail that is placed in the animation makes the world of magic seem very realistic. For example, Barley is a character who has some facial hair and it is noticeable on his face. It’s a small detail to point out but it goes to prove how much time and passion the animators put into the film. Regardless if a Pixar film is hit or miss, the animation in it is always in top form.
The two main characters in the film are voiced by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, who have great chemistry on screen. Holland is exceptional as the voice of Ian, who really shines in the third act. Holland perfectly voices a shy 16 year old boy who just wants to see his father for one day only. Ian’s brother, Barley, is the opposite of Ian, in which he is not shy and is always wanting to go on a adventure. In our world, he would be a stereotypical dungeons and dragons player who rides in a van who listens to rock music. A part of me feels like this role should have played by Jack Black. Pratt does a great job voicing the character, but the entire time I just envisioned Jack Black perfectly doing the voice work. In addition to Holland and Pratt, Julia Louis- Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer also voice two characters who are trying to find Ian and Barley. They are both hilarious and every moment they are on screen, they both shine.
Onward is certainly a fun and enjoyable film. The first two acts of the film certainly as its moments, but things really pick up in the final act. And while it is an enjoyable film, the film does have emotional moments that may make anyone tear up. When the film presents the emotional moments, it is well done. It doesn’t need the sappy music or heavy dialogue that films try to add. All it needs is the facial work the characters express. The final 10 minutes of the film show that no words are needed to make the audience cry.
Onward is not the best film from Pixar, but it is still a well done film. The cast in the film do an excellent job portraying their characters. It’s an enjoyable film that has fun stored within it. In a world filled with magical creatures and spells, Onward still manages to have a human connection.
2019 was surprisingly a great year for films. There were so many films that weren’t on my radar at the start of the year but surprised me when I did view them. And when I was writing down the best films of the year, it went past ten but I did have to narrow it down to ten. As this is the 5oth and the last post of 2019 , this is the perfect time to look back on the past twelve months and see which films stood out as the best films of 2019.
10. Avengers: Endgame
“Avengers: Endgame” is a film that has been building up for years and audiences finally get their pay off. Sure, “Endgame” is a very long film, but it certainly deserves to be a three hour long film. The film doesn’t feel long nor does it get boring, it takes it time establishing the story and the action that the audience will certainly enjoy.
9. The Peanut Butter Falcon
“The Peanut Butter Falcon” is one of those films I didn’t know much about going in and was surprised how great of a film it is when I did view it. Stars Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen have incredible chemistry as two young men who are trying to escape their lives in search of something better. Gottsagen does a phenomenal job not only showcasing his acting range but his comedic chops as well. His character is very likable and its all due to Gottsagen portrayal of the character. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a film that cannot be missed.
8. Us
“Us” is a film I saw earlier in the year and had so many thoughts about the film that I decided to discuss the film in my first post. Jordan Peele cleverly writes a screenplay that explores the idea of how people would react to their doppelgangers. Only someone like Peele could make a film that makes audiences terrified and laugh at the same time. If “Get Out” didn’t cement Peele as one of the directors to look out for, then “Us” certainly does the job.
7. The Irishman
A gangster film directed by Martin Scorsese starring Robert de Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci is bound to get critical praise. “The Irishman” showcases why Scorsese and de Niro work perfectly off each other. It shows why these two are the greatest director and actor parings as they always make something incredible. “The Irishman” slowly, but steady, takes it time establishing the characters, setting, and story. Yes, the film is a very long one but it certainly deserves to be a long film and is best viewed in two parts.
6. Marriage Story
“Marriage Story” is a film that certainly showcases the powerhouse acting of stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. The moment the film begins, the audience knows the conflict that is expected to come. The film realistically portrays how ugly a divorce can get how it can impact the individuals involved. The scene that best shows the conflict is when the separate couple argue in an apartment and the argument brings out the worst in each other. “Marriage Story” is a realistic heartbreaking film that is exceptionally made with the best actors working today.
5. The Farewell
“The Farewell” is a beautifully written film that shows how one family deals with the decision to not tell their grandmother she has months to live. The film shows the beauty of another culture, all thanks to writer and director Lulu Wang. Wang writes family drama that is also somewhat comedic as well and shows us how the drama the family goes through can certainly apply to our family as well. Awkwafina and Zhao Shuzhen both shine as a granddaughter and grandmother who share a connection and only want whats best for each other. These two have a great connection on screen and are one of the reasons why “The Farewell” is a must see.
4. Dolemite Is My Name
On the surface “Dolemite Is My Name” may seem like a comeback vehicle for star Eddie Murphy. And yes, Murphy does deliver one his strongest performances in years and returns back to his comedic roots that made him famous decades ago. But the film is oddly inspirational in a way no one may have expected. “Dolemite Is My Name” is based off real life comedian and actor Rudy Ray Moore who did everything and anything to make it big. Despite the many no’s he received, Rudy Ray Moore did not take this as a rejection, but instead a step forward in his career. “Dolemite Is My Name” certainly has a message we can all relate to.
3. Booksmart
“Booksmart” is certainly the funniest film of the year that showcases how the current generation thinks and acts. Sure, it does have the typical “we need to go to a party” storyline that we have seen so many times in previous teen comedies, but never does the film get tiresome or dull. From the first frame, the film is an acceleration forward and does not slow down for anyone. I can guarantee years from now, “Booksmart” will be viewed upon as the perfect representation of the 2010’s.
2. Parasite
Nothing could have prepared me for what I was going to view with “Parasite”. “Parasite” is a film that takes the audience down one road and leads them down another. Words cannot describe the film and it needs to be viewed to be believed. Director Bong Joon Ho crafts a film that has a hidden meaning and makes a film that makes the viewers ponder on what they had just witnessed. A film that was certainly not on my radar earlier in the year, but I am glad that “Parasite” is getting the praise it is getting as it is clearly one of the best films of the year.
1.Joker
“Joker” may be adapted from a comic book, but it doesn’t feel as such. We are so used to comic book films having action and adventure, but “Joker” takes that notion out the window and does whatever it wants, and rightfully so. “Joker” takes it time in establishing the mood and characters. It slowly builds up the tension in the film to a very climactic ending. Joaquin Phoenix masterfully puts a spin on a character that has been done numerous times in previous film and makes the role refreshing. “Joker” proves that does not need exciting action to make itself stand out from the bunch and succeeded in being the best film of the year.
That’s a wrap for 2019. Thank you for all who took the time to read my posts in the past months. Here’s to 2020 being another great year!
Edward's Film Reviews 