OtLB - Pixar’s Up
Jun 1st, 2009 | By Robert Eddleman | Category: Columns, Outside the Longbox
I went into the theater showing Up believing that Pixar has never made a bad film.
I left thinking the exact same thing.
From beginning to end, Up is positively wonderful. While it doesn’t quite reach the level of Wall-E, in my opinion their best film so far, it comes very close. As co-directed & co-written by Pete Docter, the adventures of an octogenarian and a young scout are at once both fantastical and real. The sheer emotion and love that went into making the film is evident in every frame. Ed Asner gives perhaps the strongest performance of his career as the elderly Carl, and all of the scenes between him and Jordan Nagai’s Russell are delightful. And it’s hard to tell which supporting animal steals the show. I’m partial to co-director & co-writer Bob Peterson’s talking dog Dug, but if you wanted to make a case for the bird Kevin I wouldn’t object.
That’s not to say the film’s perfect, though. Highly touted as being in 3D, I didn’t feel that it added much to the movie. It would have been perfectly fine as a traditionally animated Pixar film, and having to deal with the glasses on top of my regular glasses was an annoyance. The story’s timeline is another small hindrance. After an introductory scene, showcasing not only Carl but his future wife Ellie and their explorer hero Charles Muntz, there’s a beautiful montage (the film’s best scene, really) of Carl & Ellie growing old together. When Muntz is reintroduced later, it left me wondering just how old the character was. But both of these are minor irritations at best.
Simultanesouly tugging at your heartstrings while tickling your funny-bone, Up is a masterpiece, and the best film I’ve seen this year. Do yourself a favor and go see it.
I didn’t see this one in 3D and I didn’t miss it. I thought it was absolutely amazing without it. Honestly, Up is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time..
I usually don’t go in for 3D. (We saw Monsters vs. Aliens without it.) But since we caught the last showing of the night (accommodating seven different schedules can be tricky), there wasn’t a choice. Plus, it was Pixar, and I’m willing to give them a couple more bucks.
I think it was John Lasseteer (Pixar head honcho) who said something along the lines of not wanting to use the 3D as a crutch or as a gimmick, but to instead give more depth to the images. My favorite subtle use of 3D in the movie was the crud on the windows. Plus, those trailers prior to the film that were in 3-D were AMAZING. I am SO there for X-Games the movie!
The short, Partly Cloudy, had me grinning from ear to ear, and Up had me laughing most of the way, when I wasn’t verging on big baby man tears. The story was about as predictable as you can get, but the messages were strong yet not too overt. My favorite bits were definitely the use of the dog collars. I wish I knew what stupid things my dogs are thinking.
I enjoyed Partly Cloudy as well. Eliza said it’s her new favorite Pixar short.
I dug Partly Cloudy, but Presto kills me every time.
Which one is Presto? Was that the one with Wall-E? I still haven’t seen it. It’ll be one of my first Blu-Ray purchases.
Oh, man. Yeah, Presto is the one that ran before Wall-E with the rabbit and the magic hat. It’s hilarious.
Favorite short is a tough one. I still love Geri’s Game (the old man playing chess), but Presto, One Man Band & Lifted are all great as well.
SQUIRREL!!!
I LOVED this movie - Lee and I took Zoe to see it over the weekend and even the two year old sat through the entire thing entranced.
What I love about Disney/Pixar films is their uncanny ability to make you feel emotionally connected to the characters - I mean, Wall-E made me cry like a little girl - over a robot - and so did UP. The films always have a wonderfully positive message to deliver and this one was no exception. Great ,great, movie.
I hope to see this soon. Looks like Pixar might have another Best Animated Feature Oscar in the bag.
Oh, most definitely.
I’m still pissed that Wall-E was denied a nomination for Best Picture. I’m sure I’ll feel the same way about Up.
“What? Who cares if it was great, we gave them their own damn category.”
I too think Wall*E should have been offered a Best Picture nom. Getting Best Animated Feature is basically calling those films by a different name instead of treating them as TRUE CONTENDORS, which they totally are! I challenge you to find ANY film this year (and last year for that matter) that can match the emotional magnitude and whimsy of both “Up” and “Wall*E”… It rather irritates that such “bold” and “powerful” films that do nothing more than depress the heck out of us garner so much acclaim when Pixar not only matches the maturity of said Best Picture noms, but also strives to bring a little JOY into our lives!
Tell me this, folks– In the long run, when you’re as old as Carl and sitting alone in your tattered armchair, which films will you think back more fondly of (or even remember at all): The one about the old guy that flies his house into a South American adventure via thousands of helium balloons or the one about the literate, Nazi-loving adolescent? Better yet, which will you WANT to remember?
It is time that Pixar gets it’s due. ‘Nuff said.
I couldn’t agree more. Beauty and the Beast got a nom way back when and I venture to guess it’ll be the last time we see a truly worthy animated feature get its proper due.
I think we’ve discussed it a lot at WUMB and this is a known fact: Thats exactly why the Academy created the Animation category - to keep these movies away from the “real” award and let only “real” movies get nominations.
I really enjoyed UP. I loved the old man fight scene and the denture move. I would be willing to actually buy a movie based game if they manage to make a mini game with these two going at it. Just because you are old, does not mean you have to play fair! ;oD Partly cloudy was also extremely cute, someone has to love on the scary and dangerous! It isn’t my favorite Pixar short, I have a special place in my heart for Knick Knack the snowman in the snowglobe short, but Partly cloudy is up there. I would say more but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who has yet to see the movie. Go see it! Hm… I feel like this should break back to Lamar on reading rainbow. Any chance of incorporating video reviews in the near future, or getting a crazy person to be Lamar on here?
KNICK KNACK! You, my friend, have invoked the name of my favorite Pixar short! That was just phenomenal!