davetheanalyzer | Writing Flexibility and Onward

Restarting my two hour writing blocks has been going okay so far. I’ve finished rewriting one chapter for We Will Hold On Forever and began the rough draft for the next. I’ve tweaked the routine where I write two to four pages a weekday – if I write four pages one day, I can skip writing the next. Two pages minimum, four maximum. I want to write more but I’m still getting back into the groove. Having a writing minimum gives me wriggle room if I don’t have enough time on a day. I’m writing four pages on Saturdays and Sundays but it takes more time if I’m not focused enough. I have to remind myself both projects are rough drafts and I can always fix things later – for example, adding more humor and description. It might still be some time yet before We Will Hold On Forever is updated with new chapters.

I’ve seen Onward. It was one of the films I had on my list before COVID hit and at last, I’ve finally gotten around to seeing it. Despite some issues, I did enjoy the film. It might not reach Pixar’s “peak standards,” but there was something about the characters and story that appealed to me. It goes into family dynamics and what it’s like to have a missing parent you know a lot about but can never be in contact with. Ian is a socially anxious high schooler, rarely the type to take any chances. I like that he backed out of inviting the four classmates to his birthday party more out of a lack of confidence and not because of any malice on their part (They were friendly and interested). Barley on the other hand, takes all the chances, sometimes too much, to make up for a mistake in his past. Their mother’s supportive and acknowledges their interest bust they both feel the absence of their deceased father, for different reasons.

Then there’s a chance to get their father back for one day. I like that though Barley tried to do the spell, he very quickly went to supporting Ian and didn’t seem to hold any grudge he himself can’t do magic. There’s a theme throughout the movie of taking the harder road to earn what you want. Ian has Barley stay on the main highway but only when they go off the beaten trail do they get close to what they want. The brothers have to work to get closer and Ian be a bit more assertive in his views. The Manticore is an interesting character for that theme. As a long-living being, it seems she adapted to the modernizing world bit by bit, had to do many compromises, until one day, Ian questions her enough to realize she changed into someone she didn’t like. She’s becomes her more noble and friendly self thereafter, nervous but when the brothers’ mom comes along, she feels she has to help to warn them about a curse.

The police characters definitely didn’t age well in 2020. I can see why the mother Laurel might be dating one for plot purposes, since the brothers needed to get out of a traffic stop and to reveal Ian’s hidden feelings about Barley. But there’s not much room for Colt and the brothers’ feelings about each other, not to mention the resurrected father issue. Colt seems decent enough but if ever there was a continuation, I’d probably have him (and the lesbian cyclops Specter) quit and become detectives due to finding corruption in their ranks. Of course, ending up back near Ian’s school makes him snap out the hurtful thoughts he was too polite to say. I like Ian realizes Barley filled the hole their father left behind the whole time and so makes sure their father can talk to Barley instead so Barley could make up for being too scared to say goodbye before. The father’s words to Barley were to further deepen the bond of the brothers.

And so, magic has returned. I wonder how the world takes that. I can see the ability to bring back the dead, as rare as it apparently is, be a source of conflict since many will seek it for various reasons. Ian gets his quiet confidence, the friends he tried to make earlier, and is closer with Barley. For many of these characters, the adventure continues. There are some issues, with Chris Pratt’s involvement and his rumored politics, Corey being a beastly Manticore voiced by a black actress and her design having kinky hair, and the aforementioned police issue. With these caveats in mind, I do say it’s an enjoyable film and to watch it if it sounds interesting to you.

That’s all for now. It’s nice to be up at a proper time for once. Hopefully I can keep it up. Fingers crossed. Until February’s end, see you!