Onward Review: 6 Ups & 4 Downs
A middling effort from Pixar.
Though Pixar's reputation for consistently delivering brilliantly creative and affecting animated films has taken a bit of a hit in recent years, they're still one of the most reliable Hollywood studios working today.
And so any year where Pixar releases two movies is a welcome one, even if the first one out of the gate is a bit of a disappointment.
While on paper Onward had the potential to be another radically inventive and emotionally devastating Pixar joint, it settles for being an acceptably middle-of-the-road outing that's fine while you're watching it, yet ultimately doesn't boast much staying power.
As an animation that'll keep adults and kids alike occupied, it's servicably entertaining, and most other animation studios would kill to release a movie this solid, but coming from the studio that practically reinvented the art form, it can't help but feel a little by-the-numbers.
Hopefully Pixar's Soul coming later this year, written and directed by Pixar's brilliant Pete Docter, will serve up a more thought-provoking and memorable offering.
Even so, Onward largely does what it needs to: it gently amuses, it dazzles with its visuals, and it tugs at the heartstrings just enough...