Onward: The Great Quest for Purposeful Story
by Ayla Roback
As the mom of a four-year-old boy with a great appreciation for my inner child and a major love of film in general, I watch a good deal of children's movies, like... A LOT. If you asked me about any kid's movies from the last thirty years, odds are, I've seen it at least once if not two hundred times. This is especially true when it comes to Disney films. With that said, Onward (2019) is one of the greatest children's movies that I have seen in 2019-2020. Really? One of the greatest kid's movies, you say? Even with all those mixed reviews and so many new hits released around the same time? To quote one of my childhood favorites, Shrek (2001), "Really, really." This film made a return to great, purposeful storytelling. While not perfect, it is pretty close to magic. Many writers and directors in Hollywood, particularly in children's films, have lost the ability to tell an original story, and to tell that story well. Onward, Disney-Pixar's latest film does just that.
Shrek GIF (2017). Image courtesy of Gfycat.
Character
The movie follows the story of two brothers: the nervous, unsure "loner," Ian, and the boisterous, Quests of Yore role-playing, history "nerd" (think Dungeons & Dragons, if magic was your actual history) Barley Lightfoot as they embark on a magical quest. (I don't want to put any big spoilers, so the plot is not fully laid out until a graphic near the end and includes a spoiler warning.) With COVID-19, many missed the opportunity to see this gem in theaters or may not have Disney+, which I HIGHLY recommend adding to your Hulu subscription to watch it and the rest of the available Disney/Pixar library.
Onward! (2020). Image courtesy of @prismaviolet_ on Instagram.
Plot/Setting
The world of Onward is one where magic is real and is their history. Over time, as science and inventions gained precedence, the people lost their magic believing it wasn't vital anymore. Running parallel to our reality. As humanity grows, through science/technology, we don't utilize the same necessary things as our ancestors, as recently as our parents and grandparents. Examples of this would be knowing how to hunt and cook food over an open flame outdoors versus microwave, candlelight versus electricity, or hand-writing letters versus texts, e-mails, and DM's. Throughout the film, Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt) go on a magical adventure, discovering the power that tradition holds- finding out a lot about themselves, each other, and their relationship as brothers along the way. This movie was written in a way that gave many great life lessons without being too pointed or obvious, a skill that sets Disney-Pixar creators apart.
Theme
The film teaches:
The importance of believing in yourself (Ian learning magic, Laurel believing she is a fierce warrior), and the effect your belief in and support of others has on their self-esteem (Ian and Barley leaning on each other and their unique strengths to complete their quest).
It's okay and we should feel encouraged to be who we are (Barley obsessively into history and unapologetically himself which is seen as "uncool" or "nerdy," Ian feeling as if he doesn't fit in at school).
Sometimes we need to return to our roots in tradition in order to grow (the Pixies learning to fly again, the Manticore returning to a life of quests and adventure, everyone learning magic again).
Coping with parental and spousal loss, and representation of different family dynamics.
There were many comedic moments, and even a few that made me cry. The comedic timing and tone of the movie were impeccable, with a feeling of 1980's nostalgia and magic. The story seamlessly jumps across multiple perspectives to create a flowing masterpiece of story. We follow Ian and Barley along their quest, and even see their mother Laurel, taking a journey of her own.
Other Examples
You don't have to search too hard to find other great examples of Disney/Pixar films that effortlessly and gracefully tackle in-depth topics in a way that a child could grasp, while maintaining an element of fun and joy. These are just some of my favorites (there are many more):
@Prismaviolet_ collage (2020). Image courtesy of @ayllama_designs on Instagram (Ayla Roback).
3a. Big Hero 6 (2019). Image courtesy of @prismaviolet_ on Instagram
3b. Moana (2017). Image courtesy of @prismaviolet_ on Instagram.
3c. Frozen II (2019). Image courtesy of @prismaviolet_ on Instagram.
3d. Zootopia (2016). Image courtesy of @prismaviolet_ on Instagram.
3e. Toy Story 4 (2019). Image courtesy of @prismaviolet_ on Instagram.
3f. @prismaviolet_’s profile photo. Image courtesy of @prismaviolet_ on Instagram.
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Feminism, loss of purpose, and learning to adjust to things not going quite to plan, newfound purpose. These topics are further explored in Sabeth Kapahu’s article from our February edition.
Zootopia (2016)
Systemic racism, inequality in the workforce, issues within politics and the police, and personal prejudices based on appearance.
Moana (2016)
Loss of family, the history of colonization and the stolen lands of Pacific Islanders, the importance of family and tradition, fighting for what you believe in, perseverance, charting your path/becoming your own person apart from your family
While Disney attempted representation of Polynesian and Pacific Islander culture, the movie was surrounded by controversy at it's time of release because of claims of misappropriation. The film does represent deities, characters, and various elements from Pacific Islander history, traditions, and lore. The casting is mainly made up of Polynesian/Pacific Islanders, and includes a soundtrack of songs in English, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, and Samoan.
Big Hero 6 (2014)
Loss of family members, the importance of friendship and a support system while coping with loss, and deals with revenge versus justice through a group of teen "superheroes." Shows a unique family dynamic, highlights the importance of mental health, and features Disney's first Japanese-American lead character, voiced by a Japanese-American actor, and a meld of Japanese and American pop culture.
Frozen II (2019)
Loss of family and friends, colonial oppression but the story focused mainly on the importance of finding yourself and correcting injustice. Based on the colonization of native Sámi peoples, and borrows stories from Nordic cultures and traditions.
Inside Out (2015)
Focuses on mental health concerning feelings, memories, dreams, and thought, highlights the importance of experiencing all feelings rather than suppressing negative ones, loss of innocence, and the importance of family and friends as a "support system," especially when in crisis. The story shows the inner battles that all people struggle with that we can't see externally.
Coco (2017)
Depicts many different types of loss, the importance of being who you are even without family support, the power of forgiveness, the significance of family ties, and remembering your history. The story specifically honors elements/stories from Mexican culture, focusing on music (mainly in Spanish) and the traditions surrounding Day of the Dead/Dia de las Muertas.
Princess and the Frog (2009)
Addresses racial inequality, class differentiation, teaches about work ethic, finding a balance between work and play, death, true love, and seeing people beyond their face value. Controversial in its representation of Black people, this film depicts New Orleans/Cajun culture during the rise of Jazz culture, and the reality of Black life, specifically how Black women were treated in that time.
Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Centers around adoption, abandonment and rejection, and the importance of family. Not being afraid to be yourself, perseverance, not focusing too much on the past, and the power of forgiveness. "Keep Moving Forward," is the film's motto and applies to multiple plotlines in the movie.
Brother Bear (2003)
Coping with the loss of family, the importance of community, accepting responsibility for our own actions and how they harmed others, and the power of forgiveness. Representative of Inuit culture, including the concept of "totems" or "spirit animals" and the cultural significance of legends surrounding the Northern Lights.
Monsters University (2013)
Finding a sense of belonging, the importance of community, it's okay to be different and to stay true to yourself, everyone has different strengths that can be utilized in a team setting, not to give up on your dreams, combating fear, and looking at people (monsters) beyond face value. The movie also highlights the stereotypical American/Ivy League college experience, the Greek system, the concept of legacies and privilege within colleges and the work force,deals with bullying/hazing, and the transition from college into adulthood.
Pocahontas (1995)
Colonization of the land before becoming the United States, racism, cultural appropriation, Indigenous North American culture (shaman, tribal social culture, agriculture, and the connection Indigenous peoples historically have to nature), choosing your own path in life. Arguably one of the most controversial of Disney's films due to many artistic liberties and historical inaccuracy, yet is helpful as a tool to discuss and learn about the true history and of "Pocahontas" and to appreciate the culture of North American Indigenous peoples.
A Bug's Life (1998)
Deals with oppression, the power of unity, and standing up against injustice even when the odds are against you. Life inside of an ant colony is used as a parallel to life in civic-minded society.
What Makes a Great Kids Movie?
You might be asking, what goes into your decision-making on what makes a good movie? Let's establish my baseline of what makes a "good" movie. My five main points:
A story that is simple enough for kids to follow. Does the movie follow the traditional story structure or change it?
A clear, easily understood message or message(s) to learn from the movie.
Something we haven't seen before, or if it's something we have seen, are the writers giving a fresh perspective of the story?
Is there some form of diversity to the characters in the story in a way that makes sense? If so, did the writers attempt any research to honor the group of people represented, or is it a form of appropriation or tokenism (diversity for the sake of claiming diversity)?
Elements of fun to this movie, or is the writer too focused on their message that they forget the fun?
The Hero’s Journey
A majority of Disney's treasure trove of films and Onward specifically hit those baselines, although not perfectly. Where their representation of cultures and true diversity are overall lacking, their storytelling abilities are exceptional. Disney-Pixar films give viewers an original story and hit the main elements of story and script structure, as outlined by Blake Snyder's Save the Cat, and follow the Hero's Journey, illustrated by Joseph Campbell. Below is an application of the elements of Hero's Journey using Onward’s plot points. *SPOILER WARNING*
Hero’s Quest (2020). Image courtesy of @ayllama_designs on Instagram (Ayla Roback).
You might ask- "Aren't children's movies supposed to be fun and something to forget about other serious stuff?" "No kid cares if the writing fits into what makes a 'good' movie." I strongly disagree. While children's films are meant to be enjoyed and fun, kids pick up on much more than adults give them credit for.
My four-year-old is shockingly intuitive, making me step back in the realization that children are small people, full of big emotions, capable of profound thought. Shouldn't the movies they watch have a meaningful message and depth to learn while enjoying an entertaining story? How else do they learn and grow into well-adjusted adults, if we don't address or broach some of these tough topics? How can we expect our children to be well-rounded if we don't first put in the groundwork in a way they understand? Movies give us as parents or even as non-parents in conversations with other adults, a starting point for essential and "controversial" topics in a way that a child can understand or relate to.
Story has always been a way in which humans communicate abstract thoughts and apply them. One of my personal heroes, the superhero mastermind and creator behind Marvel Comics, Stan Lee, said it best when addressing corresponding fans, upset about all of the "politics" and controversial topics included in his comics. This quote from "Stan's Soapbox," a segment included in his comics, provided Lee a platform to talk directly to his audience about issues important to him:
Stan Lee quote (2020). Image courtesy of @ayllama_designs on Instagram (Ayla Roback).
While it's crucial for parents to be intentional with the lessons that we teach our children, it is equally important (in an age where our kids are consuming media quicker and more often than we did) to pay attention to what they are watching and its message- whether positive or negative. While sometimes it can be helpful to break from everything going on around us and to view things where we don't have to "think," why shouldn't we (and our children) have something both fun and purposeful playing in the background?
Resources
We’ve created a free downloadable PDF to explore the article deeper. It contains discussion questions about the topic in general terms that will give you a jumping-off point for beginning a conversation.
The second page contains a way to see the topic from a biblical perspective.
And finally, to go deeper into the subject, we have chosen a few curated resources to explore from other authors’ and thinkers’ research or perspectives.
Read. Engage. Enjoy!
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Depending on how a gem is held, light refracts differently. At B+PC we engage in Pop Culture topics to see ideas from a new angle, to bring us to a deeper understanding. And like Pastor Shane Willard notes, we want “…Jesus to get bigger, the cross to get clearer, the Resurrection to be central…” Instead of approaching a topic from “I don’t want to be wrong,“ we strive for the alternative “I want to expand my perspective.”
So, we invite you to engage with us here. What piqued your curiosity to dig deeper? What line inspired you to action? What idea made you ask, “Hmmm?” Let’s join with our community to wrestle with our thoughts in love in the Comment Section! See you there!