Jun 12 2009
“Up” Great Animation but Storyline a Downer
When I went to see the new animated movie “Up” I was ready for an “up” lifting experience but personally found the storyline to be a little bit of a downer. Carl, the 78 year old leading character is living alone after his wife of many years has died and is facing eviction from his long time home. The other leading character in this story is Russell an 8 year old boy who is somewhat overweight, seems to lack friends his own age, and would really just like some attention from his father who doesn’t seem to have time for him. But if you can get past all of that, there is a tender love story about how Carl met his wife, Ellie, and they faced disappointments but grew old together side by side and shared their dreams, even though everyday life got in the way before they could experience all those shared dreams.
The animation in “Up” is really top notch and the 3-D enhancement takes it up another level but it doesn’t over go over the top with that in your face feeling that some action movies use. It may be the most subtle Pixar production to date in its use of color schemes, shapes, proportions, scale, contrast and balance, factors highlighted by the application of 3-D.
In “Up”, the early scenes tell Carl’s story with tenderness and brilliant narrative economy, and the later scenes depict him as a geriatric action hero. The movie opens with the young Carl (Ed Asner) enthusing over black-and-white newsreel images of his hero, a world-famous aviator and explorer, Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). Shortly thereafter, Carl meets Ellie, a would-be adventurer, who becomes his beloved wife; a relationship that the director, Pete Docter, brilliantly compresses into some four wordless minutes during which the couple dream together, face crushing disappointment and grow happily old side by side.
Russell (Jordan Nagai) inadvertently hitches a ride with Carl, forcing the old man to assume increasingly grandfatherly duties. But before that happens there are scenes of Carl, having decided to head off on the kind of adventure Ellie and he always postponed, taking to the air. When the multi-colored balloons burst through the top of his wooden house it’s as if a thousand spring flowers had bloomed. Especially lovely is the image of a little girl jumping with delight as the house rises in front of her large picture window, the sunlight through the balloons filling her room with bright color.
In time Carl and Russell float to South America where they, the house and the movie come down to earth. Carl comes face to face with his childhood hero, Muntz, an eccentric with the dashing looks and frenetic energy. Muntz lives with a legion of talking dogs with and he has been hunting a rare bird whose gaudy plumage echoes the palette of Carl’s balloons. These talking dogs that are certainly a hoot, and much like Russell, the little boy with father problems, is Dug, the dog with master issues.
“Up” is rated PG (Parental guidance suggested). Some action and a climactic fight scene, but nothing inappropriate for viewers of any age.
Directed by Pete Docter; co-directed by Bob Peterson; written by Mr. Docter and Mr. Peterson based on a story by Mr. Docter, Mr. Peterson and Tom McCarthy; director of photography, camera, Patrick Lin; director of photography, lighting, Jean-Claude Kalache; edited by Kevin Nolting; music by Michael Giacchino; production designer, Ricky Nierva; produced by Jonas Rivera; released by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios. Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
My aunt and cousin saw this, but I haven’t had the chance yet. They said it was good so I am looking forward to seeing it.
I agree with this review completely. The storyline is very adult and not suitable for small children. Infertility and death are a part of life but parents need to be aware that their children are seeing content is for mature audiences.
My grandson asked, “Why is she crying?”
(She can’t have babies.)
“Why can’t she have babies?”
“What happened to Ellie?”
(She died.)
“Why did Ellie die?”
“Why is Carl so sad?”
“Why is Carl so mean?”
“Why did Carl hit that man? etc.”
“Why didn’t the police send Carl to jail, he hurt that man.”
This movie is audiences who are mature enough to handle the content, it is NOT a movie for young children.
I had the great pleasure of going to see UP with my 5-year old Grandson. He thought it was brilliant. The scene where Ellie is obviously being told that she can’t have babies went right over his head but the 7-year old girl in the next seat told her Mom that “it must be very sad for Ellie”.
My Grandson had no problem with Ellie dying. He is aware of family members having died and its no big deal for him.
This is a superb movie and I agree that the 3-D effects are not too “in your face”. The condensing of the early part of the storyline was brilliantly done, and very well explained, with no dialogue, for older audience members.
Once the action got going with the baloons lifting the house and taking off for South America it was a film for everybody.
Take your children, or better still, your Grandchildren, to see this and learn the lessons being dished out by the director.
its very nice story and movie too all animation and voice and character is too good its story is heart touching carl is so loving husband and ellie is so adorable wife and that child is so sweet i wish that all childern must be like him caring for everyone and respectfull for elders.i think there must be a next part for movie which may teach other lesson for elders and childern too .loved the movie and appreciate all story and charcter.