'UP' delivers deeper meaning through zany characters
Jul 2, 2009, 8:50 AM
Commentary by RYAN DAVIS
 |
| (Photo courtesy of Google Images) |
The film carries all of the hallmark characteristics of the Disney brand, including loveable characters and an engaging story. The first portion, as well as several other scenes throughout the film, contains a lot of depth and will likely bring tears to some viewers’ eyes.
Although the characters are cute, goofy and zany at times, this title marks the first time that Pixar has dealt with real emotions stemming from human loss. The story is based around an elderly man named Carl Fredericksen, who, after losing the love of his life, embarks on a journey of a lifetime.
The film begins when Carl is only a child, watching a film about the biggest hero in his life, Charles Muntz, a famed pilot and adventurer. It is Muntz, and the shared admiration of his explorations, that bring him, and his future wife, Ellie, together as children.
The film quickly fast-forwards through the couple’s life, spanning from childhood and marriage, through loss and love, to them growing old together.
Through a twist of events, their life never works out according to plan, and Carl loses Ellie before they are able to embark on the journey they had promised to take with each other so many years before.
Viewers can sense the pain and anguish in Carl as they see him go from constantly smiling, to walking around with a scowl, following the death of his wife. In the film, there is also a power struggle between old and new, as we see his house, once surrounded by charming homes, being surrounded by towering sky-scrapers and city streets.
During all of this, a darkly dressed construction foreman intends to force Carl out of his home, which, through an unfortunate series of events, happens. After Carl attends a court trial, the judge deems him unfit to live alone.
However, Carl, not wanting to let go of the past, plots a master escape involving thousands of helium-filled balloons, which lift his house from its foundation, kick-starting the journey he had once swore to Ellie that they would take together.
As his adventure unfolds, Carl acquires an eclectic entourage consisting of a young boy, Russell, a giant bird, Kevin, and atalking dog, Dug. The group has run-ins throughout the film with several characters, including Carl’s childhood hero, Muntz. However, they triumph through it all, using their wit to outsmart the enemy.
“Up” was produced by the same studio that brought audiences “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Bolt” and “Wall-E,” among others, and has all of the qualities of an instant classic. The plot is chock-full of meaning/depth, while also exciting, fun and goofy at the same time. I would recommend this film to anyone and give it a 5 out of 5 stars.
