Song of the day: “Chant of a Poor Man” by Leftfield

Up

Director: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Genre: Comedy/Animation/Adventure/Action/Family
Year: 2009

The name of Pixar has become synonymous with quality assurance. The only movie of theirs I have not seen is Cars and from what I understand, even that film, in comparison to other animated films, is pretty good. When you have names like The Incredibles, Wall-E, Monsters Inc, and Finding Nemo in your repertoire, you know that the company is not bound to make a bad move anytime soon, even if their trailers are often not the most convincing. The trailer for UP, just like the one for Wall-E before that – and most other Pixar ones – failed to capture me. Perhaps because it was more a teaser than the trailer, but I have learned to simply ignore Pixar trailers, knowing that the end result will be pleasant. Up, is exactly like that and while I like The Incredibles and Wall-E more, this film is still really good and ranks up there with Nemo and Monsters.

The story for this film is pretty simplistic, in fact Todd pointed out that of all the Pixar films this is perhaps the most simplistic (in a technical sense) film they have done. Thankfully, the story is interesting, moving and entertaining enough that it does not feel too weighty having to be with the same characters scene after scene. In fact, it is not until after the journey has begun that we get a cut away scene into another part of the story that will eventually converge.

In very Pixar-ish manner, the story starts in a sad note, by telling the story of an old man who is merely trying to survive in the encroaching city after a lifetime with a partner whose time has come. In a brief montage, we are shown their entire life, as they grow old and fall in love and eventually she dies. Count on a knot on your throat in the same fashion as when Nemo’s mother dies, or when Elasti-Girl tells her children SHE might die and they will have to look after themselves. It is a sign of their mastery that Pixar is always willing to put heavy content on films intended for families and children and they pull it off in ways that seem perfectly balanced.

All there is left for Carl, the old man, to do, is to keep a few promises he has made and his way of doing it is by filling all of his balloons and taking the house with him, to South America, determined to find Paradise Falls where his wife always wanted to visit. Accidentally, however, he manages to get a tag-along traveler, in the form of Russell, a young Wilderness Explorer who has one more badge to go, which requires him to help the elderly. Together, this unlikely pair end up in South America, caught between a promise made a lifetime ago and the survival of an enigmatic bird who quickly befriends them.

Full of adventure, this story becomes an metaphor for life and the things that are important in it. With a senior citizen as its main character, the film lends for some pretty interesting jokes and moments that play out well throughout and the young kid makes a perfect contrast for a man who is on the verge of becoming jaded. All and all a well told story, with plenty of laughs and touching moments. And a good family film to boot!

Rating:
Comments: A couple of sad moments, but overall a family film.
Quote: Carl Fredricksen: Do you want to play a game? It’s called See Who Can Go the Longest Without Saying Anything.
Russell: Cool! My mom loves that game!