Disney movie

Onward – a Movie Review written by Samantha Lucas

Before I tell you all the wonders of Onward, let me preface with the fact that I am not unbiased here. I am a person who loves quests, adventures, and all things mystical. Therefore, this movie was a gift for me.

Onward is the story of two elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, living in a world that has forgotten magic, primarily because, “magic is hard”. Voiced by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt these two brothers couldn’t be more different from one another.

OH BROTHERS – In Disney and Pixar’s “Onward,” two teenage elf brothers embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left in the world. “Onward” opens in U.S. theaters on March 6, 2020. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Ian is anxious, scared of so many things, and in that very awkward stage of vacillating between feeling invisible, and wishing he was. While Barley is in what his mother calls “the longest gap year ever”. He seems to lack motivation and direction and is totally absorbed in a Dungeons and Dragons type board game, Quests of Yore, which Barely tries wholeheartedly to get his family to realize is all based in real history.

On Ian’s sixteenth birthday their mom, Laurel, gives Ian a present left by his father before he passed away. The present is a wizard’s staff and a magic spell that will supposedly bring their dad back for one full day. However, in the initial attempt to use this spell, remembering “magic is hard”, the spell goes a bit awry propelling the brothers on a quest that challenges them, bonds them, and gives the movie the bulk of its story.

CONJURING DAD – In Disney and Pixar’s “Onward,” brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt) are given a special gift from their late father on Ian’s 16th birthday. “Onward” opens in U.S. theaters on March 6, 2020. © 2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Onward is Pixar at its best in my opinion. This movie goes on the shelf besides Coco, Up, WALL-E, and Inside Out, and reminds me of what they’ve always done best in their shorts, entertain us while getting us emotionally invested. This movie makes you feel. It’s beautiful, poignant, and shows us how important it is to remember who we truly are and just how far we can go when we have each other’s back.

I was absolutely thrilled with the side story of the boy’s mom who becomes involved with The Manticore in a perfect moment of girl power as they take on their own quest to find the boys before they find the Phoenix Gem and unleash the curse that they are unaware of.

Aside from the shameless pillaging from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, something I’m assuming was meant as an homage, but still felt a little funny as it was very note for note, this movie is a truly good reminder that there are more rewards on the hard path than the easy one, your travel companions will make or break any quest, and at the end of the day, sometimes we can’t see what’s right in front of us, without the quest.

FATHER & SON — In Disney and Pixar’s “Onward,” 16-year-old Ian (voice of Tom Holland) yearns for the father he lost back before he was born. When a magical gift allows Ian and his brother Barley to conjure their dad—or half him, anyway—Ian’s dreams of getting the fatherly advice he’s always sought just might come true. Directed by Dan Scanlon and produced by Kori Rae, “Onward” opens in U.S. theaters on March 6, 2020. © 2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

This movie is emotional, touching, and fun for everyone, but I think will especially speak to families who’ve lost a parent, obviously to close siblings, and for people like me, quest going, adventure loving, believer of all things mystical.

Disclaimer:

**Please note that I was invited to a complimentary viewing of this movie on February 19, 2020 so that I could bring you this review on behalf of Krista at Disneyways. Complementary admission in no way influenced my review, and all opinions are my own.**

About the Author:

Samantha Lucas is an Author, Mystic, Disney Enthusiast, Dream Follower Extraordinaire. Follow her on Instagram HERE

Advanced Screenings

I attended a special screening of Big Hero 6 on Saturday, November 1st. Advanced screenings (aka – special screenings, pre-screenings, etc.) actually aren’t all that special. Yes, they are free to the viewers and yes, they occur anywhere from 2 days to 3 months in advance of their release date… but other than that – there’s nothing special about them. Depending on the film, there may not even be previews. They just lower the lights and BAM! – the movie starts. Pretty anti-climactic.

How does one get invited to an Advanced Movie screening? Generally those in the press, media, and blogging world receive the invitation first, usually from a Public Relations company in their area. Personally, a PR representative will contact me about 10 days in advance offering complimentary tickets. For the general public, you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for theaters that offer special screenings, businesses that offer free ticket perks, or sign up for free advanced screenings from film membership websites. I’ve noticed that the PR company in my area will release any extra pre-screen tickets 24 hours in advance to the public.

Big Hero 6 Movie Thoughts

When agreeing to view a movie in advance, you’re agreeing to the embargo rules of that film. For Big Hero 6, the embargo date is the same as the movie release date – November 7th (2014). Which means, my hands are tied for movie reviews and spoilers… What I can say is that it’s truly a heartwarming story, very humorous, and everyone will fall in love with Baymax… (move over Olaf!)

Free Printables

What can we give you? PRINTABLES!! And they’re fun for the whole family – activities, recipes, decorations and science experiments! Click on each link below and print up some Big Hero 6 fun!!

Big Hero 6 Pumpkin Instructions

Big Hero 6 Find the Hidden Microbots

Big Hero 6 Postcard

Big Hero 6 Origami

Big Hero 6 Recipes

Big Hero 6 Science Experiment

Big Hero 6 Maze

Remember… Big Hero 6 opens in theaters on Friday, November 7th! You’ll definitely want to meet Baymax!!

Terri Miller is the founder of WDW Hints – where she and her team love to research the lesser known things about Walt Disney World and then share those finding with their readers! Feel free to visit the WDW Hints Facebook page and say Hello!