Movie Review - Up

Describing Disney/Pixar’s Up as uplifting would not only be cliché but a terrible understatement. Up is one of the most moving films I have ever seen. In Up, we meet Carl Fredricksen, a seemingly cantankerous old coot with the proverbial heart-of-gold, who embarks on wondrous journey using his house as a makeshift airship. Carl is joined on his journey by chubby young eager beaver wilderness boy scout, Russell. Together, Carl and Russell fly by balloon hoisted house to the beautiful and mysterious Paradise Falls in South America, where misadventure awaits.


Up, directed by Pete Docter, is an amazing piece of storytelling with true heart that toes the line of being a manipulative tearjerker then steps away from that line with its dignity in tact. One of Up’s greatest strengths is its development of the character’s motivations. Up develops character motivation simply and powerfully through quiet poignant moments that eschew overbearing dialogue or melodramatics. If you are not moved by the two dialogue-less scenes—used a bit more effectively than in Wall*E—between Carl and his wife then you might not have a soul. The motivations of each character are so clear and logical that every setup and payoff is completely worth it. For instance, late in the film, when Carl makes a choice between his traveling companions and his goal, the audience understands exactly why he made this decision because of the exquisite storytelling that preceded it.


The effectiveness of Up’s storytelling, penned by co-director Bob Petersen, is echoed in its seamless movement from a humorous rousing adventure to a reflective poignant study of loss and back again. You know those films the advertisers say will make you laugh, cry, and jump, this is one that truly earned that distinction. The humor is reverent, intelligent, and aware. Some of the funniest bits in the film come from the interactions between the absurd, i.e. dogs talking with human language translator collars, and the human, i.e. Carl’s grouchiness or Russell’s buoyancy. The action, as seen in amazing set pieces with airships, flying houses, talking dogs, is imaginative and fast-paced. The quiet moments hit notes that seem manipulative in trying to elicit emotion from the audience, but are so simply executed and anti-schmaltz that you can’t help but be moved. I’ll be honest, I will have a hard time watching this one again and keeping the cry bump in my throat.


Not to be neglected are the amazing vocal performances that only help to elevate the material, particularly Ed Asner’s star turn as Carl. Asner adds just the right amount of sadness, grit, and warmth to Carl to create a character with more depth than some of even Pixar’s most memorable heroes. Speaking of Pixar’s other endeavors, this film continues Pixar’s trend of creating fantastic, colorful worlds that are absolute marvels of computer generated animation. The lush South American jungle that surrounds Paradise Falls is filled with textures and colors that are so subtly palpable that you could truly be fooled into believing its real, if only for a second. Of note also, are the unique character designs, particularly the geometrically rigid Carl who is all squares and 90-degree angles contrasting against the egg-shaped Russell(by the way, kudos to Disney for casting an Asian pre-teen and a senior citizens as it heroes. It’s always great to see progress, especially in films that might reach impressionable minds.).


Up is a gorgeous, moving film that continues Pixar’s tradition of spirited films that powerfully blend humanity and wonder. The kids will love the adventure and the humor, but the adults will be truly, deeply moved by the humanity of the characters and power of their motivations.