Start a Riot

Start a Riot by Grouplove, During a sequence when the characters are on their quest

All of My Friends

All of My Friends by Maroon 5, During an emotional moment in the film

It's On Again

It's On Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Imagine Dragons, Played during a pivotal scene in the movie


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The Magical Quest Begins

Ian and Barley use the spell to bring their father back for one day. When the spell partially fails and only their father's legs appear, the brothers feel a mix of hope and frustration. They realize they have to go on a quest to see him fully, setting the stage for their journey. This moment sparks their adventure and showcases their bond as brothers who deeply desire family connection.

Context: This moment is crucial as it establishes the emotional stakes for Ian and Barley, driving their motivations to complete the spell and honor their father's memory.

Ian's First Spell

Ian tries to use magic to impress his brother but accidentally causes chaos. This failure makes Ian question his abilities and feels inadequate compared to Barley. The visuals of the mishap are comedic but carry an emotional weight as Ian struggles with self-doubt.

Context: Ian's struggle with his confidence and abilities is central to his character development, highlighting the theme of personal growth throughout the movie.

Barley’s Heroic Moment

During the battle against the Manticore, Barley shows bravery and resourcefulness. He takes charge, proving his worth as a hero despite his clumsy nature. The animation captures his determination, and as he leads their escape, the audience sees his character growth from a dreamer to a leader.

Context: This moment amplifies the theme of believing in oneself and illustrates Barley’s transformation, showing that heroism can come in different forms.

The Emotional Reveal

In a heartfelt moment, Ian learns that Barley is more like their father than he realized. Through a flashback, we see the father's loving interactions, reminding Ian of the importance of family. The visuals are soft and nostalgic, enhancing the emotional impact.

Context: This scene deepens the bond between the brothers, showcasing how their contrasting personalities stem from their shared heritage and experiences with their father.

The Final Spell

As the brothers attempt the final spell to bring their father back, everything hangs in the balance. The visuals build suspense, and the stakes reach their peak as Ian hesitates, torn between his desire to see his father and his need to support Barley.

Context: This moment encapsulates the film’s central conflict of family versus personal desires, pushing Ian to reconcile his feelings with the reality of their situation.

Barley's Sacrifice

In the climax, Barley chooses to let Ian meet their father while he stays behind to fight off the antagonist. His selfless act highlights the depth of his love for his brother. The emotional score enhances the moment as Barley embraces his true role as a brother over a hero.

Context: This poignant moment reinforces the theme of sacrifice and the true meaning of family, showing how relationships can eclipse personal ambitions.

The Goodbye

Ian finally gets to speak with their father and realizes they share more than just blood; they share experiences. The conversation is sweet yet bittersweet as Ian acknowledges his father's impact on his life, even if it's brief. The emotional animation captures Ian's growth.

Context: This scene showcases the theme of familial love and the importance of cherishing the moments we have, no matter how fleeting.

The Manticore's Revelation

The Manticore reveals her own personal struggles and transformation, paralleling the brothers' journey. Her fierce exterior contrasts with her hidden vulnerabilities, adding depth to her character. This moment connects to the overall theme of finding one's identity.

Context: The Manticore's story adds layers to the narrative, illustrating that everyone has battles to fight and dreams to pursue, reinforcing the importance of understanding others.

The Brothers’ Bond

After the adventure, Ian and Barley sit together, reflecting on their journey. The visual focus on their expressions captures their growth, joy, and the realization that they have each other. The final shot is a beautifully animated embrace that speaks volumes.

Context: This moment encapsulates the film’s essence of brotherhood, emphasizing that love and connection are what matter most.

Family Legacy

When Ian discovers a parting gift from his father, it represents the legacy left behind. This object serves as a symbol of their family bond and the memories they cherish. It’s a quiet yet powerful moment that underscores the film’s emotional core.

Context: This scene highlights the importance of remembering and honoring loved ones, tying back to the themes of family connection and legacy.

The Adventure's Catalyst

The moment Ian finds the lost staff in the attic serves as the catalyst for their quest. The dusty environment and Ian’s excitement convey how much he hopes for magic in his life. It's a turning point that sets the story in motion.

Context: This scene illustrates Ian's yearning for a connection to his father, paving the way for the emotional journey that follows.

Barley's Dreams

Barley expresses his dreams of being a real hero, sharing his passion for their father’s legacy. The interaction between Barley and Ian reveals their differing perspectives on heroism, showcasing Barley’s hope and determination. This exchange sets the tone for their conflicting motivations.

Context: This moment establishes the foundation for Barley’s growth and his meaningful contributions throughout their quest.

The Final Showdown

The intense confrontation with the main antagonist is visually captivating and emotionally charged. The brothers fight side by side, showcasing their growth and unity. The tension peaks, leading to an impactful resolution that emphasizes teamwork.

Context: This scene underscores the film’s themes of collaboration and familial bonds as the brothers realize their strengths come from supporting each other.

Revisiting Memories

Ian discovers an old video of his father, which evokes both happiness and sadness. The clip reveals the father's playful nature, deepening Ian's appreciation for him and reinforcing the emotional stakes of their quest.

Context: This moment serves to remind the audience of the love that shapes the brothers' motivations, connecting the audience emotionally to their journey.

Barley’s Self-Reflection

As they move closer to the end of their quest, Barley reflects on living in the past versus embracing the future. His candid sharing of his dreams and fears elucidates his character depth, providing viewers with a profound look into his motivations.

Context: This moment encourages viewers to contemplate their paths in life, reinforcing the theme of personal growth.

Ian’s Breakdown

During a moment of stress, Ian breaks down and confronts his insecurities about not living up to being a leader like Barley. The intense emotional display captures the audience's empathy, making Ian's struggle relatable and raw.

Context: This moment emphasizes the internal conflict that many face, highlighting the theme of self-acceptance and the importance of brotherly support.

The Sacrificial Choice

Ian’s decision to prioritize his brother’s safety over his desire to see their father culminates in a heart-wrenching moment of sacrifice. The visuals and score work together to illustrate the depth of his feelings, making it a defining choice in the storyline.

Context: This moment encapsulates the core theme of sacrifice in familial love, showing how true strength often lies in putting others first.

The Road Trip Begins

As Ian and Barley set out on their journey in the van, a burst of humor and excitement lights up the scene. Their playful banter and the sense of adventure create an uplifting mood, contrasting with the emotional weight of their quest.

Context: This scene establishes the tone for their journey while hinting at the underlying themes of growth and self-discovery.

Facing Doubts

In a heartfelt moment, Ian speaks to a picture of his father, admitting his fears and insecurities. The silence and introspection allow the audience to connect deeply with his emotional state, providing insight into his character development.

Context: This moment illustrates Ian's vulnerability and the internal struggles that ultimately shape his journey.

Finding Common Ground

Ian and Barley have a heart-to-heart about their different perspectives on magic and adventure. The dialogue expresses their frustrations while building an understanding of each other's dreams, highlighting their bond.

Context: This scene reinforces the theme of family and connection, showing the complexities of sibling relationships.

The Reunion of Hearts

As Ian finally encounters the completion of his quest, the emotions surface with high stakes. The artwork depicting the father’s essence is breathtaking, and Ian’s mixed feelings highlight the complexity of love and loss.

Context: This moment connects with the central themes of the film, exploring the bittersweet nature of familial love.

End Credits Reflection

The end credits roll over a montage of the brothers and their adventures, showing how their bond has strengthened. This reflective moment allows viewers to appreciate the themes of family, sacrifice, and growth as they see where the brothers have come from.

Context: This final scene ties the narrative together, providing closure while reinforcing the lasting impact of their journey.


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Rapid Production Timeline

Pixar's 'Onward' was produced on a tight schedule, with only about 18 months from inception to theatrical release, a notably short timeframe for an animated feature.

Why it matters: This expedited timeline required innovative project management and rapid iteration, pushing the team to focus on essential themes of family and loss more intensely, ultimately resulting in a deeply personal narrative.

Tom Holland's Improv

During recording sessions, Tom Holland improvised several lines as Ian Lightfoot, adding a natural spontaneity to the character.

Why it matters: These improvised moments contributed to Ian's relatable and authentic persona, inviting audiences to connect with his journey on a personal level.

Casting the Right Voice

Chris Pratt was initially not the first choice for the role of Barley Lightfoot; the role's casting changed as the character evolved during production.

Why it matters: Pratt's distinctive voice brought a unique energy to Barley, influencing how the character's bravado and vulnerability resonated with viewers, making him memorable.

Real-Life Inspirations

The film's director Dan Scanlon based the story on his own experiences with family and the loss of his father.

Why it matters: This personal connection infused the film with emotional depth, allowing audiences to engage more deeply with the themes of brotherhood and loss.

Magical Creatures Design

The design for the fantastical creatures in 'Onward' was derived from a blend of various mythologies and historical creatures.

Why it matters: This creative choice not only enriched the film's visual palette but also expanded the lore of the fantasy world, appealing to both children and adults with intricate details.

On-Set Technology

The production utilized an innovative tool called 'Premo,' which allowed animators to manipulate characters like traditional claymation.

Why it matters: This technique enabled a more fluid and expressive animation style, which enhanced emotional delivery and connected audiences to the characters' journeys.

Easter Eggs Galore

Pixar is known for its Easter eggs, and 'Onward' features several, including references to other Pixar films like 'Toy Story' and 'Monsters, Inc.'

Why it matters: These hidden details deepen the viewing experience, rewarding fans who closely watch the film and enhancing the Pixar universe's interconnected narrative.

Diverse Musical Score

The music for 'Onward', composed by Jeff Danna and Mychael Danna, incorporated an array of instruments to reflect the film's magical theme.

Why it matters: The rich, varied score underscores the emotional and adventurous aspects of the film, significantly enriching key scenes and heightening audience engagement.

Limited Screen Time for the Father

The father character, voiced by Kyle Bornheimer, only appears in a few key moments, emphasizing the film’s focus on the brothers’ journey.

Why it matters: This choice creates a poignant sense of longing and nostalgia, deepening the emotional stakes as the brothers chase their quest.

Visual Effects A-Team

The team behind 'Onward' developed new visual effects technology to portray magic realistically, enhancing the world-building.

Why it matters: This innovation brought scenes to life in a visually stunning way, making the magical aspects of the story believable and captivating for audiences.

The Reunion Scene

The climax scene involving the brothers reuniting was carefully crafted using emotional cues from early test screenings.

Why it matters: This attention to audience response created a profoundly impactful moment, resonating deeply with viewers and marking a memorable conclusion to their journey.

Cameos and References

There are subtle cameos of other Pixar characters hidden throughout the film, including a Pizza Planet truck.

Why it matters: These cameos serve as nods for long-time fans, celebrating Pixar's legacy while maintaining engagement with the expansive universe.

Research into Family Dynamics

The writing team conducted interviews and workshops on sibling relationships, informing the dynamics between Ian and Barley.

Why it matters: This meticulous research lent authenticity to their interactions, allowing many viewers to see their own familial relationships reflected in the film.

Character Depth through Color

The animators used color schemes to represent the emotional states of the characters, particularly Ian and Barley.

Why it matters: This visual storytelling technique enriches the narrative, guiding viewers' emotional responses and enhancing character depth.

Unique Character Designs

Each character was designed to include specific elements that represented their personality, such as Barley's punk rock-inspired attire.

Why it matters: These design choices evoke character traits instantly, helping audiences connect with characters on a visual and emotional level.

Production During a Pandemic

The final stages of production were completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring the team to adapt rapidly to remote work.

Why it matters: Despite the challenges, the team’s resilience and creativity allowed them to maintain the film's vision, resulting in a successful and well-received release.

Voice Casting Choices

The voice cast selection maintained a focus on chemistry; the cast often recorded together to ensure natural flow in dialogues.

Why it matters: This method enhanced the authenticity of the characters' relationships, allowing their dynamic to feel genuine and relatable to the audience.

Directorial Influence

Director Dan Scanlon encouraged a collaborative approach, allowing storyboard artists to pitch their ideas to improve scenes.

Why it matters: This inclusive process led to innovative and memorable sequences, incorporating diverse perspectives that enriched the overall storytelling.

Hidden Message of Togetherness

The filmmakers emphasized themes of togetherness in 'Onward', mirroring the collaborative nature of Pixar itself.

Why it matters: This thematic focus reinforces the film’s core message about the importance of family, resonating strongly with audiences and enhancing emotional satisfaction.

Animation Techniques

The animation team utilized a hybrid approach combining both traditional animated techniques and advanced computer animation.

Why it matters: This blend not only elevated the visual quality of the film but also allowed for creative storytelling techniques that made emotional beats more impactful.

Inspirational Sources

Several aspects of the fantasy elements were inspired by real-world Dungeons & Dragons role-playing games, highlighting Barley’s character.

Why it matters: This connection added richness to Barley’s persona, creating relatable nuances for fans of the genre and fostering deeper connections within the fantasy realm.

Incorporating Humor

The writers aimed to balance emotional moments with humor, leading to character dynamics that feel relatable and lighthearted.

Why it matters: This balance enhances viewer engagement, making the narrative approachable for all ages while retaining emotional weight where necessary.

Final Emotional Score

The film's ending was scored to evoke nostalgia and bittersweet emotions, combining laughter with sorrowful reflections.

Why it matters: This powerful scoring choice leaves lasting emotional resonance with the audience, perfectly capping off Ian and Barley's journey.

Artistic Symbolism

Artistic symbols throughout the film represent brotherhood, particularly the iconic staff that Barley wields.

Why it matters: These symbols serve to reinforce the narrative's themes visually, deepening audience engagement and offering layers of interpretation.


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