My wife and I went to see "Up" this afternoon, and walked out of the theater with smiles on our faces. The Pixar team has done it again, for a remarkable tenth time.
Ironically, before "Up" began, we had to sit through previews for other upcoming animated movies, including "Ice Age 3," "The Princess and the Frog," and "Planet 51." It didn't take long to see, via their trailers, the huge creative chasm that exists between those efforts and the work by the geniuses at Pixar. If I'd produced one of those other animated movies, the last thing I'd want is pit my work against the best in the business and give people an opportunity to see how it pales in comparison.
Pete Docter's crew consistently melds wonderful storytelling and character development with amazing computer animation and lifelike scenery -- but they never neglect the little details, those extra moments that make you say, "wow!"
For example, in "Up," shortly after Carl's house lifts off its foundation and begins its airborne adventure, we see reaction shots of various people shocked by the sight of a house suspended below thousands of balloons. At one point, the point of view is from inside a little girl's apartment bedroom and, as the balloons pass by her window, the sun shining through them causes a kaleidoscope of colors to dance on her floor. The girl is delighted at the sight before turning around to see the source of the refracted beauty, and then smiles even wider. It's a scene fragment that only lasts a couple of seconds, but it was the first thing my wife and I mentioned to each other after the credits rolled.
The filmmakers didn't have to include that scene -- no one would have missed it if they'd left it out -- but once they thought of it, I bet they worked their butts off to make it perfect. That's the kind of bonus creativity I look for in a movie.
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Would you say "Up" is geared toward children? My wife and I agree that it isn't. The scenes that highlight the life of the husband and wife were too "adult" for children to understand (and even watch, in my opinion), and I think the reasoning behind why he takes the trip is a bit advanced for children to understand.
I'll agree that it's a great movie... for adults.
Every Pixar movie has worked on 2 levels -- one for kids, one for adults -- and I don't think "Up" is any different.
The montage of Carl and Ellie's life together was one of the most heartwarming sequences I've ever seen in any movie, and I think its emotional core would ring true in even the youngest viewer.
As for kids understanding why Carl takes the trip, for them it might be as simple as "he crossed his heart and swore he'd do it." Then, once the adventure kicks in, they're along for the ride with the rest of us.
I was extremely moved by Up and pretty much cried through most of the movie. I think that if you've suffered a profound loss in your life, the movie will really strike a cord. Up got a PG rating and for good reason. I don't think this movie is for very young children. I don't think they would understand the "adult" themes but may be troubled to see their parents in tears. Also near the climax the movie can be pretty scary for young children. This movie is probably fine for ages 6 and up. I agree with you Paul that it is an amazing movie on so many levels. It will probably end up being my favorite movie of the year just as Wall-E was my favorite movie of 2008!
Why did you take such a long time to see it?
I was too busy trying not to die.
Sorry! I'm glad you are feeling much better! I needed to get my gallbladder removed a couple of years ago.
My daughter and I took my 30 month old granddaughter to see "UP" the day it opened. The 2 year old was in love with all the color and the action. My daughter and I loved the story. Pixar/Disney have done it again....a wonderful movie that speaks to adults of all generations and to children. I am thrilled to be able to continue the tradition my parents began in the 1950s when they took my sister and me to see the classic Disney movies.
Any successful animated feature is for children, adults, and the child who still wonders inside of any real adult. As a kid, I loved the slapstick of the Abbott and Costello cats trying to catch Tweety. As an adult, I laughed again at their actions, and laughed even harder at lines that went over my head as a child — "Oh, if Mr. Warner would only let me, I'd give him the bird!"
My Father's Day treat was to take my daughters to Up, in 3D at the Tivoli. It is a great movie. My one daughter gets scared at movies easily, and was ok. Her sister just saw the magic and the wonder and they both loved every minute of it.
Of course, as the airplanes begin their attack, only the over 30 crowd laughed.
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