Onward Review: 6 Ups & 4 Downs

5. It's Beautifully Animated

As will surprise absolutely nobody who has ever seen a Pixar film before, Onward is a gorgeously animated movie, as is surely its strongest suit.

Even when the story is at its least interesting, director Dan Scanlon demonstrates his sure knack for eye-catching imagery, cleverly combining a heightened, fantastical aesthetic with the jaw-droppingly photorealistic humanoid world the elves reside in.

The best is also surely saved for last, with the film's brief but electric final showdown unleashing a barrage of kinetic and colourful action.

Few are going to rank it among Pixar's most technically astonishing releases, but Onward is served well by Scanlon's penchant for picturesque and dynamic visuals.