Anna Daniels
Of course, it can be effectively argued that even the flicks that don’t live up to the greatest entries in Pixar’s catalog are still going to be a cut above your average animated fare, and the majority of critics felt that Onward was a perfectly fine animated comedy with the requisite amount of heartstring-tugging. Also, obviously, it looks spectacular; nobody ever accused Pixar of cutting corners when it comes to animation.
“Scanlon has crafted an adventure that gleefully flies high with its fantasy elements, yet never loses touch with its grounded family tale,” wrote Kristy Puchko of IGN. “Plus, it has a sensational pace that keeps the adventure rollicking and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats… a terrifically entertaining tale filled with humor, heart, and allusions that are sure to delight fantasy fans.”
Many reviewers were a bit more reserved in their praise, alluding to Onward‘s failure to hit the storied heights of Pixar’s greatest while still acknowledging its strengths. “Onward simply doesn’t have the same emotional, dramatic or comedic power as the best of Pixar,” wrote CBR‘s Cynthia Vinney. “[It’s] a minor entry in the Pixar canon… a perfectly pleasant way to pass the time.”
Overall, though, Onward received kudos for the performances of Holland, Pratt, and Spencer in particular, and for eventually hitting those familiar, emotional notes we crave from Pixar. “Whatever its shortcomings, Onward is still an amusingly clever piece of family entertainment with a tangible heart at the center of its book of spells,” wrote Den of Geek‘s David Crow. “This might be Pixar on an off-day, but even then it feels like spending quality time with a dear loved one.”
Written by: Looper
