Up: Taking Pixar to New Heights

So what’s to say?  Pixar knows how to tell good stories in a way that appeals to a wide audience.  Up is no exception and continues the long line of excellent animation and storytelling we’ve come to expect.  However, Up stands alone because of the emotional depth of this film that permeates the story.

We begin with a young Carl Fredricksen meeting his future wife Elie as they bond over their thirst for adventure in the wilds of South America.  The storytellers then spend about five minutes as we see the highlights of the Fredricksens’ life together and how they always wanted to go to South America but never could.  This montage is by far the most moving of the film and from its silence and beauty of the animationm the scene conveys emotion not often found in live-action and even less so than in animation.  But this montage also lays the foundation for the emotional heft of Mr. Fredricksen and why, despite his old age, is unwilling to make excuses or give into all-but-certain defeat.  In other words, we have more than the usual superficial, sappiness (e.g., Finding Nemo), which is remarkable given Mr. Fredricksen is simply the product of illustrators and the vocal grumblings of Ed Asner.  Plus, it was was nice to see an elderly character not relegated to a minor, stereotypical role.  (I suppose this bodes well for a new Indiana Jones film.)

Of course, the film was, on its face, not as heavy as I am suggesting.  Viewers of all ages will find something to enjoy, particularly the comic relief of the two animals–Doug and Kevin, who join Mr. Fredricksen and his young companion, Russell, on their journey.  In Russell, who I decree is of Asian decent, Mr. Fredricksen finds a companionship built on mutual need, with Mr. Fredricksen acting as the father he never could be and Russell having a father-figure actively involved in his life.  One minor quibble: ignoring the overplayed absent father shtick, Russell’s relationship with his actual father is underdeveloped and, therefore, feels like throwaway filler.   Russell’s motivations, and Mr. Fredricksen’s response, would have been clearer (particularly to younger viewers, or at least those like me who are slow on the uptake ).

As for the dramatic tension/antagonist part of the film from Christopher Plummer’s Charles Muntz, it was underdeveloped and served more like a MacGuffin to cement the bond between our two travellers than anything else.  So I suppose it was successful in that regard.  The bits with the many dogs were amusing, albeit too long at times, and did the animators need to make sure to show you that all dogs (somehow) survived what seemed like certain death?  Oh right, for the kids!  Sorry, sorry.

Overall, this was a great film and enjoyable way to usher in the end of the school year and start the summer.  You can spend the extra on the 3D, if you have the means, or you can save the money for ice cream after the fact.  (As usual the 3D effects were nothing special.)