The story introduces us to two elven brothers, Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt) Lightfoot, in a world populated by mythological creatures. On Ian’s 16th birthday, he receives a magical staff as a gift from his deceased father, Wilden. When the brothers attempt a spell, they encounter difficulties and embark on a quest to find a new, potent magical stone within 24 hours. Success in this mission promises them a final opportunity to reunite with their father.
Framåt, known as Onward in its original English release, exemplifies Disney and Pixar at their creative height. The animation quality is exceptional, the voice acting is delivered by a stellar cast perfectly suited to their roles, and the humor is skillfully balanced. The premise of Framåt is particularly compelling, presenting a world steeped in mythology yet grounded in familiar, contemporary life. It evokes a unique sense of everyday magic.
Tom Holland’s vocal performance as Ian is noteworthy, echoing his impressive work in projects like Spider-Man. He effectively balances the nuances of the character to deliver a believable portrayal. Chris Pratt, as the older brother Barley, complements Holland with a similarly strong performance, capturing the contrasting personality of his character. Julia Louis-Dreyfus voices their mother, a role that could easily have been misstepped, but she deftly achieves a balanced and memorable characterization.
I prefer to avoid revealing too much about the core narrative surrounding the father’s role. Experiencing Framåt with limited prior knowledge enhanced my viewing, allowing the story to unfold organically. I found the film’s conclusion particularly moving.
The Blu-ray edition is a two-disc set, with the film on one disc and the supplemental features on the other. These extras include an engaging commentary track, deleted scenes, and well-produced documentary segments. The picture quality is excellent, constrained only by the Full HD limitations inherent to the Blu-ray format. Colors and blacks are rendered richly. While Framåt has not been released on UHD in Sweden, it will likely become available in the future. Impatient 4K enthusiasts can import it from abroad for approximately 500 SEK. However, the audio track’s unusually low mix (a recurring issue with several Marvel films) detracts from the overall experience. A significant volume increase was required to achieve my typical listening levels, which is disappointing.
In conclusion, Framåt is a worthwhile viewing experience and receives a firm recommendation. An enhanced technical presentation, featuring UHD resolution and a more robust Atmos/DTS:X sound mix, would have elevated this edition to a definitive must-have.
