Rather than draw focus from the main theme of family, Pixar decided to delve more into the two brothers’ relationship with their father.
In true Pixar fashion, this answer very eloquently sums up why Onward’s story ultimately works.
It may not reach the impossible standards of Inside Out or Toy Story, but even Pixar’s mid-tier fare is stronger than most animated movies being offered today.
So we nailed down what we have in the film, where something is protecting their ultimate goal, but it’s kind of a mindless machine.