WINTER is behind us and there are at least two reasons to walk with a spring in your step this week.

First up, Onward sees director Dan Scanlon reunite Marvel stars Tom Holland and Chris Pratt to voice elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who receive a gift from beyond the grave when their late father bequeaths them a magical staff with the power to bring him back. When they yield only the bottom half of their father, however, the brothers must quest to finish the spell before time runs out.

Set in a quasi-fantasy realm, devoid of the magic that once fuelled it, Onward offers vintage Pixar treats. There’s slapstick joy in Dad’s hapless legs and emotional tumult via the boys’ deep routed sense of loss. Scanlon himself grew up fatherless and there’s great sincerity in his story’s wish for that one chance to say hello and goodbye. Indeed, the film was born when Scanlon happened upon an audio recording of his father.

A sterling cast ensemble is rounded off by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, as the brothers’ widowed mother, and Octavia Spencer, as the Manticore restaurant owner from whom Ian and Barley seek help on their quest. Listen out too for a show in from comic legend Tracy Ullman. It’s all great fun and, of course, proves a visual treat.

Also out this week, Military Wives has been touted as the feel good film of the year. It may only be March but I’m loathe to disagree.

Inspired by the true story of the Military Wives choral charity, a network of 75 choirs across the UK and overseas, the film sees Sharon Horgan and Kristin Scott Thomas lead a group of women who form a choir while their husbands fight in Afghanistan.

The Full Monty director Peter Cattaneo heads up the production, working from a script by Rachel Tunnard and Rosanne Flynn. There’s music courtesy of Scottish composer Loren Balfe - perhaps best known for his work on Netflix hit The Crown - with Hubert Taczanowski responsible for the films cinematographic warmth.

Though emotive, even heartbreaking, throughout, Military Wives invites viewers to share in the choir’s community and be one with their passionate need for hope.

Horgan and Scott Thomas impress, helping a film that could easily feel formulaic to achieve that irresistibility treasured by the very best of home grown British comedies.