UP (2009) ***** quick movie review by COOP
I’m not going to spend a lot of time on this one, but know that it’s not just for kids. “Up” strikes exactly the right balance between kid-friendly and adult-friendly. It manages to entertain on all levels and it does it all in 3-D. I was amazed how it could wrench at your heart one minute, then get you laughing again in the next. I might even go so far as to say it’s the best Pixar movie, if not the best animated film of all time.
Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Ed Asner) is sticking it to the man by refusing to let a big construction company buy his house so they can build a high rise. He misses his deceased wife and always regrets not getting to take her on her dream adventure like they planned when they were children. When the law forces his hand, he takes drastic and creative measures to make sure they never take his house. He ties thousands of balloons to it and takes off on to South America to relocate it in a particular spot in honor of his wife. Throwing a wrench into his plans is an overeager Jr. Wilderness scout, Russell who accidentally stows away under the house upon takeoff. Carl, reluctant to diverge from his plan runs into many an obstacle that causes him to do the right thing rather than stay the course. Through this, Carl regains his sense of adventure he lost all those years ago and makes the world a better place in the process.
A few things made this film work. The character of Carl is so well developed and Asner’s voice fit him so well, I would nominate him for an Oscar if that were possible. I’m curious to see how he (Asner and the character) will be recognized when Awards season comes around. Also the villain who looks just like Kirk Douglas, but voiced by Christopher Plummer hit all the right notes. The talking dogs made the film, especially the hero dog, Doug. I hope if nothing else, they (or at least Doug) come back for another film. The unique vocabulary they used to describe things felt spot on and are responsible for the funniest moments in the film.
Honestly, the first 10 minutes of “Up” could have taken an Oscar for “Best Animated Short” alone.
“Up” is a must see for everyone. No exceptions.
Trailer below…
Over and out.
-Coop
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Cool…I was hoping this one would be good! I’ll have to take the boy to see this one!
I was told by a mother that she was disturbed that the movie had death in it. Many kids films do, but she seemed particularly upset by this one. Anyone else relate to that?
We took Ben to see it last week when we were on vacation. Great film! In regards to the disturbed mutha…sure, there were elements of death in it, but the way those were portrayed were, I thought, very tastefully…a young kid wouldn’t be upset by them, possibly not even acknowledge them. Overall, I felt like this was a fresh, new story…definitely worth the praise it’s receiving!