Onward (film) Ian Lightfoot, an introverted teenage elf, lost his father before he was born and, on his 16th birthday, finds himself wanting to become better and bolder—more like his dad. His mother, Laurel, surprises him and his older brother, Barley, with a magical gift from their late father that, if conjured properly, will give the brothers one more day with their dad. The spell goes awry, so the Lightfoot brothers embark on an extraordinary quest aboard Barley’s van, Guinevere, to discover if there might be a little magic left in the world. When Laurel realizes her sons are missing, she teams up with The Manticore—a part-lion, part-bat, part-scorpion former warrior—to find them. Perilous curses aside, this one day could mean more than any of them ever dreamed. Directed by Dan Scanlon. Released March 6, 2020, also in 3D and IMAX, after a February 18 world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, February 21 and 22 screenings (at the Berlin International Film and Anima Brussels Animation Festivals), and March 4 and 5 releases in Belgium, Argentina, and other countries. Voices include Tom Holland (Ian), Chris Pratt (Barley), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Laurel Lightfoot), Octavia Spencer (The Manticore), Mel Rodriguez (Colt Bronco), Kyle Bornheimer (Wilden Lightfoot), Lena Waithe (Officer Specter), Ali Wong (Officer Gore), Grey Griffin (Dewdrop), Tracey Ullman (Grecklin), Wilmer Valderrama (Gaxton), George Psarras (Officer Avel), John Ratzenberger (Construction Worker Fennwick). 102 min. From Pixar Animation Studios. The story is inspired by director Dan Scanlon’s own family experiences. The end-credit song, “Carried Me With You,” is written/produced by singer Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, and Tim Hanseroth. In creating the unique suburban fantasy world, filmmakers mixed fantastic characters with a familiar setting, using approximately 70% familiar elements and 30% fantasy elements. Released on digital platforms early, for purchase on March 20, 2020, followed by an April 3 release on Disney+.
