Onward Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Onward" is nothing short of a visual marvel, delivering an exemplary 1080p transfer that brilliantly showcases the film’s digital origins. The AVC MPEG-4 encoded picture dazzles with impeccable textures and vibrant colors from start to finish. Character models exhibit intoxicating clarity, revealing fine details in skin, fur, and a wide array of richly defined clothing. The environments are meticulously sharp and clear, especially in well-lit daytime shots where urban elements pop with striking sharpness and texture.

The color palette is wildly energetic, leaning heavily on secondary hues and softer pastels, such as royal magentas, radiant pinks, and brilliant teals, while maintaining resplendent primaries beneath the surface. The bright light sources, including intense magical spells, are mesmerizing, offering unwavering contrast and depth. Brightness levels are perfectly calibrated, providing rich blacks and velvety shadows that imbue the 2.39:1 image with a beautiful three-dimensional quality. This balance enables extraordinary clarity in even the smallest details, from Barley's van’s rust spots and minor scratches to the individual hairs on The Manticore's face.

Overall, this high-definition presentation exhibits stunning clarity and sharpness across all visuals. There is an absence of source or encode artifacts like banding or aliasing, highlighting the immaculate transfer process. This Blu-ray is a reference-quality presentation, ready to mesmerize viewers with its lush animation and extraordinary detail.

The Blu-ray edition of "Onward" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack, with the UHD version offering Dolby Atmos. The 7.1 track impresses with a spirited and passionate presentation, although it continues to display typical Disney characteristics requiring an upward volume adjustment. This track excels in spatial awareness and clear dialogue prioritization, particularly when delivering detailed instrumental music and seamless dialogue from the front-center channel. However, a consistent shortcoming emerges in the form of modest low-end response, reducing the impact of scenes meant to awe with bass-heavy elements.

Notably, the surround engagement and sound movement create an immersive soundstage that’s sonically rich during action sequences like driving lessons or chase scenes with pixies. These moments showcase fast-moving objects with balanced dynamics and front-to-surround integration. Atmospheric effects, while mixed sporadically into the surrounds, are positioned effectively without dominating the audio presentation. Clarity in mid-range elements like music adds to the immersive experience, though high-end clarity could benefit from more robust use of the side and rear channels. Despite a punchy and efficient mid-bass, the lack of deeper bass tones can leave some action sequences feeling less formidable than visually suggested.

Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track for "Onward" offers crisp and clean clarity during louder segments and maintains a spacious, highly engaging soundstage. It delivers an excellent definition in mid-range sounds and well-prioritized vocals amidst the enchanting chaos of Pixar's magical narrative. While it may not rock a home theater with earth-shattering bass or pervasive surround elements, it remains an enjoyable auditory experience that complements the film's vibrant visuals.

The "Onward" Blu-ray extras deliver a comprehensive view into the film's creation, beautifully blending behind-the-scenes insights with deeper thematic analyses. The two-disc set includes a DVD copy and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code, enhancing accessibility. Disc One features an engaging audio commentary by Director Dan Scanlon and Producer Kori Rae, detailing the film's development from various perspectives. The sections "Quest for Story" and "Citizens of New Mushroomton" delve into the film's narrative roots, character designs, and voice work. Disc Two continues with featurettes like "Heart's Fire," examining character construction and digital workflow, and "Dragon High," which focuses on the climactic action scenes. Additionally, the package includes insightful deleted scenes and an array of trailers and promotional materials. This meticulously curated collection is crucial for fans and industry professionals seeking deeper understanding and appreciation of the film's intricate production process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful track by Director Dan Scanlon and Producer Kori Rae.
• Quest for Story: Explores narrative roots and themes.
• Citizens of New Mushroomton: Focuses on character designs and voice work.
• Heart's Fire: Character construction and digital workflow.
• Dragon High: Making the climactic action sequence.
• Wizard Rock: Scoring the film.
• Fantasy Is Our Destiny: Cast and crew’s love for Fantasy genre.
• Deleted Scenes: Multiple scenes with an introduction.
• Trailers & Promo: Includes various global trailers in multiple languages.

"Onward," Pixar's latest venture, directed by Dan Scanlon, delivers heartfelt narrative wrapped in quintessentially Pixar humor and dazzling digital prowess. The film intricately intertwines themes of self-discovery and the poignancy of missed opportunities. It brings to life the contemporary setting where magic and modernity coalesce in a world populated by elves, unicorns, and wizards, seamlessly transferring these fantastical elements into relatable experiences. Chris Pratt's Barley and Tom Holland's Ian embark on a remarkable journey spurred by their late father’s gift—a wizard's staff and a rare Phoenix Gem. Their quest to complete a visitation spell that materializes only their father's lower half is both tender and humorous, driving the plot with a strong emotional resonance typical of Pixar’s oeuvre.

Technically, "Onward" stands out with its superior digital animation and voice performances, particularly underlining Pixar’s constant evolution in technological marvels. The film expertly balances wit and emotional depth, evident in the humorous dynamics between the brothers and their interactions with an array of charming characters they meet along their journey. The animation is nothing short of groundbreaking, providing vivid visual engagement that bolsters the heartfelt storyline. Despite a myriad of mythical creatures, the film maintains a deep human essence, exploring familial connections and love through a lens that challenges and redefines conventional perspectives on life, loss, and legacy.

Ultimately, "Onward" underscores the subtle emotional gains often overshadowed by life's grand narratives. It serves as a moving tribute to the unspoken bonds that shape our lives. By focusing on the brothers’ shared journey toward understanding and unity, "Onward" offers an impactful and nuanced commentary on love and familial bonds, enriching the viewer's emotional experience through both laughter and tears.

Pixar's "Onward" is a heartwarming and adventurous addition to the esteemed studio's filmography. With a cast led by Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Octavia Spencer, the narrative follows two brothers on an enchanting quest to spend a day with their deceased father. The film imbues a fantastic essence of humanity, deftly blending fun, humor, and sincerity. Although it may not break new ground for Pixar, it remains an entertaining and emotionally engaging experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Onward" truly shines in terms of technical quality. The 1080p presentation offers reference-quality visuals, capturing vibrant colors and impeccable detail that highlight Pixar's meticulous animation. The DTS-HD MA soundtrack complements the visual splendor with clear dialogue, robust effects, and an immersive auditory experience. Additionally, the Blu-ray is packed with a substantial amount of bonus materials, which provide insightful and engaging behind-the-scenes looks at the film's creation process.

In conclusion, "Onward" doesn't necessarily break out of the Pixar mold, but that's perfectly fine. The movie captures an essence of humanity even removed from human characters. It's fun, funny, adventuresome, and sincere, building on the essential foundations that have lifted up so many of the studio's finest films. Disney's Blu-ray is a treat, too, delivering reference-quality video, studio-typical audio, and a myriad of bonuses. Highly recommended.