the plot

Carl was a bright eyed boy infatuated with adventure and Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer) is his adventuring hero.  Carl idolized the explorer and had complete faith in him even when Muntz was accused of fabricating his findings from his recent adventure in Paradise Falls, South America.  Carl accidentally happened upon another fellow adventurer wannabe with Ellie, a young and very talkative little girl.  Carl worked as a balloon salesman in an amusement park and the two were married years later and inseparable for years until Ellie passed on in her old age.

Carl promised Ellie that one day they would make their way to Paradise Falls, but it wasn't to be.  Carl remained in his house even after Ellie died; despite that surrounding his house was transformed into a construction zone for future skyscrapers and businesses.  One day Carl had an altercation with a construction worker and injured him with his cane.  Carl was court ordered to a retirement home, and the city planner was awarded his home.

Carl devised a clever plan to escape and bring his house along too.  On the morning when he was to be moved to the retirement home Carl utilized the massive stockpile of balloons and helium he had on hand and fastened them to his house and it lifted his house in the air and he escaped his sentence.  Carl was in his home floating in the sky, when he heard a knock on his door and found a cub scout named Russell on his porch who desperately wanted to come in.  The two make it to South America, and they encounter a strange colorful ostrich like animal who like the taste of chocolate, and dogs that can communicate with their collar translators. 

Carl, along with Russell bump into a very elderly, yet sprightly Charles Muntz who had been here in Paradise Falls for decades searching for the colorful ostrich like bird in order to bring back to the States alive in order to clear his name.  When Muntz discovers that Carl has one of these animals hiding on his house, Carl and Russell must escape and protect the bird at the same time.  Will Carl and Russell be able to escape with their lives?  Will Russell ever get to go back home to the US?  Will Carl end up shooting and cooking the bird for food instead of rescuing it?  Find out the answers to these questions when you go and see Up!


the breakdown

I just got back after seeing Up in 3D with family and friends.  We had high expectations for a story with this premise, and Pixar and Disney lived up to our expectations and then some.  The story was exceedingly engaging from beginning until end.  Ed Asner was cast in the lead role of adult Carl, and his voice is perfect for this man.  Asner is a season veteran with voice over work and his style of grunts and groans matched the bitter character on the screen, and because Ed is as old as dirt, his hefty voice lends an authenticity factor to the film and Carl Fredricksen is alive.  The onscreen couple of Carl and Ellie was a classic lifelong love story that was told well in a short time of about ten minutes. 

Part of the charm of Up is the sheer originality of the story.  I'm not just talking about the idea that a house can float across the globe with the help of a few hundred balloons, because that's sort of been done with Disney's James and the Giant Peach.   The real meat of the story deals with real life problems, actual feelings, emotion and depression, and just normal folk.  It's so unlike the superheroes of The Incredibles, the creatures of Monsters Inc, the fish of Finding Nemo or the living toys in Toy Story.  It seemed more relatable since we're just dealing with humans for the most part.     

Russell played by newcomer Jordan Nagai, seemed like his character would serve only as a nonstop wisecracking sidekick to contrast Ed Asner's Carl (which he was), but he had a bit more substance as well.  Up takes just a couple of minutes to let the viewers know that Russell could use a friend/father-figure like Carl in his life, something he is lacking without him. 

Unlike most Disney flicks and some Pixar movies, this film is in no way a musical, and you don't even miss it.  In fact, the numbers would only get in the way of this film, plus at a relatively long 96 minutes, any additional songs would only add to the length.  

Another rarity here is that this movie earned a PG rating rather than the usual G.  This is due, in my opinion, to some violence (even blood), and the idea of death.  Thankfully, there were no language issues, which was awesome.  

I was warned of the amazing 3D effect that Up had in the trailer during Monsters vs. Aliens.  During the previews here I was very impressed, but when Up started, the effects were...ok.  The opening 3D trailers were much more impressive.  I'm not sure the 3D effects were worth the extra $3 per ticket.  The movie really didn't need any gimmicks anyway, but it didn't hurt it at all.  

We laughed, we cried and we applauded at the end.  This is Pixar's crowning achievement so far, the jewel in their crown.  The characters may not be as colorful as Buzz Lightyear or Dory but I know the world will be watching Up for years to come.  This is an instant classic!


Up
Directed by: Pete Docter (Monsters Inc), Bob Peterson 
Written by: Bob Peterson (Finding Nemo, Ratatoullie)
Starring: Ed Asner (Elf), Christopher Plummer (Delores Clairborne, Jesus of Nazareth)
Released: May 29th, 2009
Length: 96 minutes
Rated: PG (some violence)
Rating: 5 stars

Recommended: Yes

Movie Mood: Feel-good Movie
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing