Pixar's Onward

[D82]

I'm also glad you liked it, JeanGreyForever! I knew you would. I've seen it again today and I loved it as much as the first time. I agree with everything you said and especially with your thoughts on the ending. Though not much as the first, I also like Monsters University, and especially its messages. It's true that Scanlon is very good with that aspect of his movies. I hope he gets to direct more movies for Pixar.

The Manticore was hilarious and I loved how the Mom had a pivotal role in the climax and wasn't reduced to a generic supporting character like the aunt in Big Hero 6.

I loved that too.

I really hope this film does better because it deserves a wider audience!

I hope so too, though I don't know if the current situation will benefit the film or worsen its chances.

Oh, great interview D82! I loved learning all that, like how they got recources for their story and how they were gonna have a villain (though I wish I knew more on that!), and what they have done to help women since Lasseter left!

Yes, it was an interesting article. Regarding the villain, I think they made the right decision, but yes, it's interesting they were planning to have one at one point.

[Disney Duster]

Wow JeanGreyForever, very deep and insightful review! I am so glad you loved it! I am so glad you loved Barley, he's so adorable to me. I agreed with all you said! You also made me curious about Monsters Univesity lol.

[JeanGreyForever]

^ I'm so glad you liked it!! I like Monsters University a lot, too, + I didn't connect the dots between his films, but that's a great point.

So glad there are other MU fans here. Most people seem to completely disregard it or forget about its existence which is a shame.

I'm also glad you liked it, JeanGreyForever! I knew you would. I've seen it again today and I loved it as much as the first time. I agree with everything you said and especially with your thoughts on the ending. Though not much as the first, I also like Monsters University, and especially its messages. It's true that Scanlon is very good with that aspect of his movies. I hope he gets to direct more movies for Pixar.

The Manticore was hilarious and I loved how the Mom had a pivotal role in the climax and wasn't reduced to a generic supporting character like the aunt in Big Hero 6.

I loved that too.

I really hope this film does better because it deserves a wider audience!

I hope so too, though I don't know if the current situation will benefit the film or worsen its chances.

Oh, great interview D82! I loved learning all that, like how they got recources for their story and how they were gonna have a villain (though I wish I knew more on that!), and what they have done to help women since Lasseter left!

Yes, it was an interesting article. Regarding the villain, I think they made the right decision, but yes, it's interesting they were planning to have one at one point.

TBH, Pixar placing this film in March made me feel they were very unsure about it and that since MU also wasn't one of their critically acclaimed titles, I was wondering if they would use this as an excuse to slowly phase Dan Scanlon out. I really hope that's not the case especially since that article Duster posted has confirmed that there were a lot of women who had involvement in this film. I would love to see more of Dan Scanlon especially since I find Pete Docter to be very overrated.

Going by how everything is shutting down right now, including the parks, and all other films are being delayed, some people might not feel safe going out. However, being one of the only mainstream films in theaters right now, those who don't mind leaving the house might be more prompted to see it...at least until movie theaters are shut down if that ever occurs.

Wow JeanGreyForever, very deep and insightful review! I am so glad you loved it! I am so glad you loved Barley, he's so adorable to me. I agreed with all you said! You also made me curious about Monsters Univesity lol.

Barley seems to be the fan favorite because I've come across a lot of posts here praising him the most. So it's really a nice turn-around from how a few of us were worried the character would be all gusto and have no heart and he turns out to be the heart of the film. Have you never seen MU?

[D82]

TBH, Pixar placing this film in March made me feel they were very unsure about it and that since MU also wasn't one of their critically acclaimed titles, I was wondering if they would use this as an excuse to slowly phase Dan Scanlon out. I really hope that's not the case especially since that article Duster posted has confirmed that there were a lot of women who had involvement in this film. I would love to see more of Dan Scanlon especially since I find Pete Docter to be very overrated.

Well, at least Onward has gotten generally good reviews. And maybe it can get some awards nominations next year. I hope Pixar takes all that into account and offers him another project after this.

Going by how everything is shutting down right now, including the parks, and all other films are being delayed, some people might not feel safe going out. However, being one of the only mainstream films in theaters right now, those who don't mind leaving the house might be more prompted to see it...at least until movie theaters are shut down if that ever occurs.

Yeah, that's the advantage I was thinking of; that now it won't have competition from other new releases. But, things are getting worse by the minute. In Spain, for instance, all theaters have closed today and will remain closed for at least two weeks. Other European countries have taken similar measures, and like you say, the same could happen in the US. So, we'll see, but the future doesn't look too bright for Onward right now as far as box office is concerned.

[Disney Duster]

Barley seems to be the fan favorite because I've come across a lot of posts here praising him the most. So it's really a nice turn-around from how a few of us were worried the character would be all gusto and have no heart and he turns out to be the heart of the film. Have you never seen MU?

It is all of Barley I love. Everything. His cute look, his boisterousness, his love of magic and fantasy, and his heart. I also really liked Ian. I have not seen Monsters University. I could Prime it sometime!

[JeanGreyForever]

TBH, Pixar placing this film in March made me feel they were very unsure about it and that since MU also wasn't one of their critically acclaimed titles, I was wondering if they would use this as an excuse to slowly phase Dan Scanlon out. I really hope that's not the case especially since that article Duster posted has confirmed that there were a lot of women who had involvement in this film. I would love to see more of Dan Scanlon especially since I find Pete Docter to be very overrated.

Well, at least Onward has gotten generally good reviews. And maybe it can get some awards nominations next year. I hope Pixar takes all that into account and offers him another project after this.

Going by how everything is shutting down right now, including the parks, and all other films are being delayed, some people might not feel safe going out. However, being one of the only mainstream films in theaters right now, those who don't mind leaving the house might be more prompted to see it...at least until movie theaters are shut down if that ever occurs.

Yeah, that's the advantage I was thinking of; that now it won't have competition from other new releases. But, things are getting worse by the minute. In Spain, for instance, all theaters have closed today and will remain closed for at least two weeks. Other European countries have taken similar measures, and like you say, the same could happen in the US. So, we'll see, but the future doesn't look too bright for Onward right now as far as box office is concerned.

I'm glad to hear that. I would love if Onward won the Oscar next year although I shouldn't be too hasty since I haven't seen the other films yet, least of all Soul which will probably be the critical darling with Pete Docter at the helm.

Poor Onward. I hope it doesn't become forgotten because of extenuating circumstances that had nothing to do with the film itself. It doesn't deserve to be the next The Good Dinosaur.

Barley seems to be the fan favorite because I've come across a lot of posts here praising him the most. So it's really a nice turn-around from how a few of us were worried the character would be all gusto and have no heart and he turns out to be the heart of the film. Have you never seen MU?

It is all of Barley I love. Everything. His cute look, his boisterousness, his love of magic and fantasy, and his heart. I also really liked Ian. I have not seen Monsters University. I could Prime it sometime!

I really liked Ian too and on paper, he should be the more relatable character but Barely was just captivating. What's funny is that you know I'm not a big fan of Chris Pratt but during this film, I completely forgot that Chris Pratt was behind the character even though I much prefer Tom Holland.

[Disney Duster]

I feel like except for the lack of fantasy and adventure part, you are more of an Ian, but I have parts of both main characters in me. It's cool that even though you don't like Chris Pratt, you still loved Barley!

[blackcauldron85]

I loved all the characters in the film. I'm absolutely an Ian, and I have a huge fondness for him, but Barley is a great character, and I love their brotherhood journey, I love how Ian (& the audience) got to discover just how great Barley has been the whole time. I'm so happy about the reception to this film. I also adore The Good Dinosaur and I'll never get over how people don't like that film but I'm happy people love Onward. TGD + Onward are tied for my 3rd place favorite Pixar film.

[estefan]

Onward is projected to have a massive second weekend drop, probably the worst for a Pixar movie. I think Disney is smart enough to realise the film's poor international performance and its disappointing domestic numbers are due to events beyond the film's control. They suspended Mulan's release, which they already spent a lot of marketing on, for a reason.

I mostly feel bad for Dan Scanlon. The movie was clearly personal to him and it had the bad luck of opening in the middle of a global pandemic. I do think it will eventually find a larger audience on Disney+.

[marlan]

This has been happening for some time now and now happens with Onward: the film is shown also in 3D in Finnish cinemas — but not in the original language. (It was similar with Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 and Ralph Wrecks the Internet etc.) The only 3D screenings available here are dubbed in the local language. The original English-language version is shown only in 2D.

Why does this keep happening nowadays? Probably it is considered too expensive to create subtitles for a 3D DCP because the subtitles have to be adjusted also for depth and, in Finland, the subtitles need to be in two languages simultaneously (as they are in the 2D version). Additionally, people seem not to attend to 3D screenings anymore.

My choice: wait for the 3D Blu-ray to see the movie in 3D and with the original language. Frustrating.

[Farerb]

This has been happening for some time now and now happens with Onward: the film is shown also in 3D in Finnish cinemas — but not in the original language. (It was similar with Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 and Ralph Wrecks the Internet etc.) The only 3D screenings available here are dubbed in the local language. The original English-language version is shown only in 2D.

Why does this keep happening nowadays? Probably it is considered too expensive to create subtitles for a 3D DCP because the subtitles have to be adjusted also for depth and, in Finland, the subtitles need to be in two languages simultaneously (as they are in the 2D version). Additionally, people seem not to attend to 3D screenings anymore.

My choice: wait for the 3D Blu-ray to see the movie in 3D and with the original language. Frustrating.

3D is a dying market. I remember back in 2013 my only option to see Frozen in English was in 3D. Same with Inside Out. Since 2016 2D is the only option. They do that because most of the people who go see these films are family with kids, and they always go for the dubbed version, so the English version is only limited to one format. At least that's how it is here.

[JeanGreyForever]

I feel like except for the lack of fantasy and adventure part, you are more of an Ian, but I have parts of both main characters in me. It's cool that even though you don't like Chris Pratt, you still loved Barley!

That's so cool that you know me well enough to consider me an Ian which is exactly what I pegged myself. That's why it shocks me so much that Barley spoke out to me so but I guess it's in part because Ian realizes himself how much he needs Barley and depends on him.

I loved all the characters in the film. I'm absolutely an Ian, and I have a huge fondness for him, but Barley is a great character, and I love their brotherhood journey, I love how Ian (& the audience) got to discover just how great Barley has been the whole time. I'm so happy about the reception to this film. I also adore The Good Dinosaur and I'll never get over how people don't like that film but I'm happy people love Onward. TGD + Onward are tied for my 3rd place favorite Pixar film.

I'm okay with TGD. I didn't care much for The Lion King rehash plotline and Arlo is just okay to me as a protagonist although I didn't hate him like many other people did. My favorite character was Spot who I found adorable and I even own his interactive plush. The old western dinosaurs didn't really do much for me and I wasn't a fan of how frightening some of the film's moments were like that small creature who gets devoured by those frightening winged ones. It felt very odd for a family friendly Pixar film although I remember a lot of people were outright offended by the hallucinogenic berries which I personally didn't see as problematic. What are your first two fav Pixar films?

[JeanGreyForever]

Onward is projected to have a massive second weekend drop, probably the worst for a Pixar movie. I think Disney is smart enough to realise the film's poor international performance and its disappointing domestic numbers are due to events beyond the film's control. They suspended Mulan's release, which they already spent a lot of marketing on, for a reason.

I mostly feel bad for Dan Scanlon. The movie was clearly personal to him and it had the bad luck of opening in the middle of a global pandemic. I do think it will eventually find a larger audience on Disney+.

That's so disappointing but I hope Disney/Pixar has the good sense not to blame this on Dan Scanlon. Maybe they can re-release Onward in a few months or so when the Coronavirus clears up and the situation goes back to normal. It's a pity Disney didn't think to postpone the film earlier.

This has been happening for some time now and now happens with Onward: the film is shown also in 3D in Finnish cinemas — but not in the original language. (It was similar with Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 and Ralph Wrecks the Internet etc.) The only 3D screenings available here are dubbed in the local language. The original English-language version is shown only in 2D.

Why does this keep happening nowadays? Probably it is considered too expensive to create subtitles for a 3D DCP because the subtitles have to be adjusted also for depth and, in Finland, the subtitles need to be in two languages simultaneously (as they are in the 2D version). Additionally, people seem not to attend to 3D screenings anymore.

My choice: wait for the 3D Blu-ray to see the movie in 3D and with the original language. Frustrating.

3D is a dying market. I remember back in 2013 my only option to see Frozen in English was in 3D. Same with Inside Out. Since 2016 2D is the only option. They do that because most of the people who go see these films are family with kids, and they always go for the dubbed version, so the English version is only limited to one format. At least that's how it is here.

They don't even sell 3D films in the US anymore on home video, at least not 3D Disney films. I don't think other studios' films are released in 3D very much anymore either though.

[Disney Duster]

That's so cool that you know me well enough to consider me an Ian which is exactly what I pegged myself. That's why it shocks me so much that Barley spoke out to me so but I guess it's in part because Ian realizes himself how much he needs Barley and depends on him.

Yes, Ian needed his big-hearted, not afraid of adventure brother. But Ian had his own heart as well.

[Patricier21]

Here's my quick Out of Theatre Reaction (from 1 week ago when I saw it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f__B5YKbPBI

[JeanGreyForever]

I'm glad you loved the film so much and consider it one of Pixar's best! Out of curiosity, which recent Pixar films do you think Onward was so much better than?

[Disney Duster]

Cool quick reaction, Patrcier21! I'm so glad you liked the movie! I totally agree about the third act!

[Patricier21]

I'm glad you loved the film so much and consider it one of Pixar's best! Out of curiosity, which recent Pixar films do you think Onward was so much better than?

For me, its better than literally ALL the 2010s Pixar movies (even though I still LOVE them all), aside from Inside Out of which I would rank it as equal or right below. I also like it better than both Monsters, both Incredibles and Up, ALL of which I still LOVE

Definitely NOT as good as what I consider to be the core 4 Pixar films:

Toy Story 1 & 2 (2 is my favourite movie btw and the whole reason why I wanted to get into making movies

A Bug's Life (aka the most under rated movie EVER made)

Finding Nemo

Possibly also better than Cars 1 & 2 (Yes, I LOVE Cars 2 and do not understand why the flying heck people hate it so much and consider it to be the worst Pixar sequel, let alone movie. For me its one of their Best Pixar Sequels and my favourite Cars/Planes movie

(definitely better than both Planes, of which Fire & Rescue I LOVE and Planes 1, of which I consider to be the worst Cars/Planes movie, but still overall good and better than pretty much ALL other Disneytoons movies, lets alone better than most people give it credit for

Ratatouille and Wall.e

Again, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ALL PIXAR movies and, aside from maybe 5 of them, plus 1 or both of their TV Specials and 1 of their shorts, consider EVERYTHING they've done to be perfect to the point where I wouldn't change ANYTHING about them, and Onward is 1 of those PERFECT ones

[Patricier21]

Cool quick reaction, Patrcier21! I'm so glad you liked the movie! I totally agree about the third act!

Ya I know eh? Was not expecting ANYTHING close to that....

I must say as well that literally EVERYTHING that I thought was gonna happen in the form of predictability NEVER even came close to happening. Man if only I hadn't kinda spoiled Toy Story 4, of which was through THIS forum btw, as like I said you gotta cover EVERYTHING you say related to spoilers including phrases like "Our predictions were correct", as reading it can put common knowledge together and figure it out.

Of course, I was being too risky looking up Toy Story 4's forum post here trying to find information related to a possible Toy Story 4 game, other merchandise etc of which I should've held A LOT more restraint, even as the sequel to my favourite movie

[blackcauldron85]

What are your first two fav Pixar films?

TS3 & Finding Dory!

I agree about the 3rd act. I had avoided spoilers, so really I didn't know much besides what we saw in trailers, but it was so entertaining, adventurous, edge of your seat!!!