2009, Pixar
Animation
Rating: PG
Approx. 96 mins.
THE STORY:
Carl Frederickson (Ed Asner) is a cantankerous old man who has just lost his life partner, Ellie, and is about to lose his home to developers. His final goal is to take his dead wife-- in the form of the house they shared together-- to Paradise Falls, an isolated location somewhere in South America that Ellie dreamed of visiting.
Carl comes up with the idea of floating his house to the Falls under the power of helium filled balloons. He takes off and all seems to be going well, when he realizes that Russell (Jordan Nagai), a young Wilderness Scout who had tried to offer him assistance earlier, is along for the ride.
Before they know it, the two find themselves within view of their destination. They begin the long walk to the Falls, and encounter a strange giant bird whom Russell befriends. Even stranger, they meet dogs with electronic voice boxes who lead them to Ellie and Carl's childhood hero, the explorer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). Muntz was disgraced decades earlier for claiming to have discovered a new species of giant bird, and has spent the years since trying to hunt it down. Carl soon discovers that his hero is an obsessive monster, and he, Russell and their now-pet bird try to escape from him and the talking dog colony he has created.
Carl discovers that life is for the living, and chooses to save Russell and the bird rather than live in the past of his memories. Although he has lost one life partner, he gains another.
Carl comes up with the idea of floating his house to the Falls under the power of helium filled balloons. He takes off and all seems to be going well, when he realizes that Russell (Jordan Nagai), a young Wilderness Scout who had tried to offer him assistance earlier, is along for the ride.
Before they know it, the two find themselves within view of their destination. They begin the long walk to the Falls, and encounter a strange giant bird whom Russell befriends. Even stranger, they meet dogs with electronic voice boxes who lead them to Ellie and Carl's childhood hero, the explorer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). Muntz was disgraced decades earlier for claiming to have discovered a new species of giant bird, and has spent the years since trying to hunt it down. Carl soon discovers that his hero is an obsessive monster, and he, Russell and their now-pet bird try to escape from him and the talking dog colony he has created.
Carl discovers that life is for the living, and chooses to save Russell and the bird rather than live in the past of his memories. Although he has lost one life partner, he gains another.
VIOLENCE:
- the villain falls to his presumable death from a dirigible
- more threat than violence; younger kids may be a bit scared
TEACHING POINTS:
THE UPSHOT:
As a highly-- and recently-- sentimental adult, I am a sucker for stories that summarily and sweetly portray the course of human (romantic) relationships. Up, like Raymond Briggs' Ethel and Ernest or Robert Munsch's I Love You Forever, is one such story. I found the first 20 minutes a beautiful and tragic synopsis of the best that we can hope for in life. Truth be told, I had a hard time getting through that segment without tearing up.
I appreciated the subtlety with which the movie dealt with difficult issues like infertility, sickness and death. The parent is left in the position to choose how much to probe or point out, depending on a child's level of sensitivity.
Visually, the film is flawless. The voices are absolutely perfect. The script and pacing are spot on. I also liked the fact that Russell is Asian American and his race never comes into play, either directly or indirectly.
Although the 5 year-old in the room did enjoy it, it is quite a mature movie in a lot of ways. Older kids will get more out of it, but younger ones will still enjoy the ride. Adults who like films that explore the nature of human relationships should be enthralled.
I appreciated the subtlety with which the movie dealt with difficult issues like infertility, sickness and death. The parent is left in the position to choose how much to probe or point out, depending on a child's level of sensitivity.
Visually, the film is flawless. The voices are absolutely perfect. The script and pacing are spot on. I also liked the fact that Russell is Asian American and his race never comes into play, either directly or indirectly.
Although the 5 year-old in the room did enjoy it, it is quite a mature movie in a lot of ways. Older kids will get more out of it, but younger ones will still enjoy the ride. Adults who like films that explore the nature of human relationships should be enthralled.
5/5
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