Up Review

Given- n. Something assumed or taken for granted

I.E. It’s a given that most films released by Pixar/Disney will have all the critic’s approval, will take Best Animated Category in the Academy Awards and will make boatloads of money.

Short review: Up is great. Go see it.

Long review: You still here? Fine, I’ll explain why.

People, in the last 10 years, Pixar has continued to release hit after hit after hit. Do you honestly believe the people who made Toy Story, Bug’s Life, the Incredibles, Cars and numerous other hits will fail? Unlikely.

As such, Up is one of those films which will give you your money’s worth.

Carl Fredrickson, since he was a young boy, dreamed of high adventure. While idolizing famous aviator Charles Muntz, he meets Elsie, a even more rambunctious youth and eventual wife. After their first meeting, they presume to fall in love and live their lives until Elsie’s death of old age. You might be turned off by this montage because of the sappiness, but rest assured, there are some dark and human moments in this that redeems it.

Years later, Carl is an old man seeing his old neighborhood being torn up for urbanization, lives alone while being occasionally bothered by young scout, Russell. Of course, after some legal troubles with the contractors and financial workers, Carl has to make a choice, either go live at Shady Oaks retirement center or go on an adventure to South America and fulfill his and Elsie’s dream. So by tying up his house to a couple thousand balloons, Carl Fredrickson is on his way, also unintentionally taking Russell along with him.

Considering that I was possibly the only one in my theatre who was over the age of 10 who didn’t have children, I enjoyed the movie quite a bit. Oddly enough, even though there is a fantastic adventure involving talking dogs and an odd colorful bird, I cared more about the characters Carl and Russell than anything else. Carl, played by Ed Asner, has enough backstory and cynical wit to entertain any parent and any young child will relate to the pudgy yet adorable Russell and his innocent charm. (And let me tell you, after attending several boy scout meetings, I can confirm that not only to Russells exist, they are prominent in the troop).

People will complain about this, and call it overrated. To them I say, foo on you! Of course you can’t tie thousands of balloons to your house causing it to fly, but in ‘this universe’ the rules of reality have been established. Thus, if a rule says that if you tie enough balloons, it will fly, it will fly.

Lastly the 3D. Is it good? Yes. Is it necessary to enjoy the film? No. Because Pixar doesn’t concentrate on poking things to the audience as it does poking its heartstrings.

Up will take top box office, get all the critic’s praise and get the Academy Award for best picture. But even knowing all of this, you’ll still love it.