Among the many industries feeling the economic effects of COVID-19, few have proven more adaptive than the film industry.
On March 20, Disney Pixar announced the early release of its newest animated story, “Onward,” to all major digital marketplaces. The film’s theatrical debut took place on March 6, but plummeting box office numbers led the studio to decide on the early digital release date to mitigate profit losses.
This proved to be good news for avid Pixar fans, as we got our hands on the newest feature film much earlier than anticipated. The story follows teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who cast a spell on Ian’s 16th birthday that brings their late father, Wilden Lightfoot, back to life for 24 hours. Despite all hope and magical expertise, the spell went wrong and their father is only halfway resurrected. Thus begins the adventure to complete the spell that would allow the brothers to spend time with the dad they never knew.
If you’ve ever watched a Pixar feature, chances are you’re well aware of the emotional investment you are signing up for. This storyline is no different, with a cast of loving, relatable characters that will have you thinking of your family members throughout the entire film. Older brother Barley offers a chaotic yet supportive personality, balanced out by younger brother Ian’s more cautious nature.
“Onward” does a fabulous job of highlighting Pixar’s ability to bring a heightened sense of creativity to each film they produce. Set in a suburban fantasy town, inspired by Los Feliz, California, the bright colors and magical creatures are found in every scene. As Americans settle in for another month of sheltering in place in various parts of the country, Pixar’s delivery of imagination is just what the doctor ordered.
The film studio also does its part in pushing a more progressive cast of characters. Strong-willed single mother Laurel experiences significant character development, which provides an unapologetic, realistic take on modern family dynamics. Add in a predominantly female police force and a successful, business-running Manticore — voiced by the ever talented Octavia Spencer— and Pixar yet again utilizes its position of influence as a renowned studio to bring storylines that encourage gender equality and social diversity.
As with many other Pixar features, the plot of “Onward” comes from deep within the heart of its storytellers. Director Dan Scanlon modeled the adventure story after his own childhood, having lost his own father at a young age and relying instead on the close connection he has with his older brother. “He’s always been a mystery to us,” said Scanlon in a statement on “Onward’s” Pixar page, “we’ve all lost someone, and if we could spend one more day with them - what an exciting opportunity that would be.”
"Onward" is just one example of the numerous films being released for on demand consumption within the last month. As film studios struggle with production shut-downs and increasing job loss, highly anticipated feature films like “The Way Back” and “Trolls World Tour” are hitting the home screens much sooner than anticipated.
“While we’re looking forward to audiences enjoying our films on the big screen again soon, given the current circumstances, we are pleased to release this film to digital platforms early for audiences to enjoy from the comfort of their homes,” said Scanlon and producer Kori Rae in a joint statement.
“Onward” is currently available for streaming on Amazon Video and Disney+.