Onward

The initial teaser trailer for Pixar’s latest, Onward, used The Cars’ 1984 track “Magic,” with the lyrics making obvious reference to the movie’s fantasy setting while also fitting the film’s mix of 1980s nostalgia and aesthetics. This itself is something that has been a bit of a trend, whether looking at Wonder Woman 1984, the Stranger Things franchise, or others.

The second and final full trailer, however, eschews the use of popular music, sticking to fully orchestrated fare, likely by composers (and brothers) Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna.

The first third of the trailer initially focuses on plucked strings — acoustic guitars, banjo, and stomping percussion vaguely reminiscent of feel-good folk music. However, strings enter at 0:26 and other elements are added to the arrangement as the film’s protagonists discover the latent magic in their world of fantastical figures who have largely moved on from it, favouring smartphones and other technological conveniences we would recognize rather than continuing to use magic. Notice the subtle but present cadence at the 0:34-0:35 mark synchronized exactly with the handling of the magic staff, and again at 0:41, in a moment not entirely unlike the glorious harmonies of Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathurstra” from 2001: A Space Odyssey. At 0:45 we hear a “booj” sound effect to help guide the transition to the middle of the trailer.

At 0:51 we move keys up a fifth and matters take a slower, deeper pace as the protagonists embark on their road trip to save their father. Piano and an arrangement that favours both the lower end while complementing it with higher pitched percussion, add a sense of depth and exploration to the proceedings. This contrasts nicely when the music stops, at 1:10, to emphasize a comedic moment, returning in full force with epic percussion and a wide shot at 1:12. At 1:24 we hear another “booj” sound to help transition to the next track while also emphasizing the decisive pivotal moment on screen. 

By 1:40 the arrangement has built up to seething definitively epic, with a sweeping, board and elongated melody that probably introduces a key melodic theme for the film. It’s a satisfying, mostly step-wise and sequential melody that is eminently hummable. Notice also the prolonged cadence from 2:10 to 2:15 with the final montage action sequence, and how the rhythm doubles right at the end for a final bit of excitement and energy. 

While not entirely remarkable for any one moment, nor surprising given the subject of the film or the sweep of the narrative on screen, what is interesting about this trailer is that it emphatically rejects relying on a cover song, or even a recognizable musical motif of a past franchise — or anything, really. Instead, this trailer does just the opposite: it sets up and positions, front and centre, a key, original melodic theme from this, an original Pixar film — itself increasingly a rarity as the outfit increasingly relies on sequels and franchise offerings.

— Curtis Perry