David O'ConnellUp
September 14th 2009 04:42
Pixar’s guarantee of excellence has been something to rely upon in a world of cinematic uncertainty, and a glittering run continues unabated with their latest meticulously-crafted project, Up. A wondrous, speculative journey, replete with poignant asides about life’s fragility, it manages to soar both literally and figuratively. Typically for Pixar, enough crowd-pleasing elements are provided for a wide spectrum of generations in its interspersion of witty humour and rollicking action set-pieces.
Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) is devestated after the passing of childhood sweetheart Ellie (Elie Docter). A grumbling, crotchety old man who’d rather be left alone in a changing world that threatens to consume his humble residence and place in it, Carl’s final escape route from the jaws of retirement village surrender is a stroke of genius: tether the house to thousands of balloons and set sail for a mystical mountain in South America, so often wildly imagined of as an idyllic resting place for he and Ellie in their twilight years.
This sets the scene for what may rank as Pixar’s greatest single set-piece, the sight of the home drifting off into the stratosphere beneath its multi-coloured helium-inflated umbrella, leaving stupefied, frozen visages in its wake. Even in animated form it’s an astonishing sight, the ultimate flight of fancy made real by a visual power that live-action filmmakers would find hard to match.
Unfortunately for Carl, there’s one slight hitch: he’s unwittingly attracted a castaway in plump and eager young scout Russell (Jordan Nagai). Together they almost make it to Carl’s promised land but are compelled to complete the last phase of their journey on foot, dragging the floating house with them. Here they encounter all sorts of danger in the form of a vicious pack of remote-controlled dogs and their reclusive master, Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). They attract the attention of allies too in the shape of avian oddity Kevin and a friendly dissident from the canine horde, Dug (Bob Petersen).
The brainchild of Monsters Inc. director Pete Docter and Finding Nemo co-scripter Bob Peterson, Up provides the requisite magic we’ve come to expect from an animation studio whose lovingly constructed work leaves little doubt about the man-hours spent poring over every line. Asner proves to be perfectly cast as the cantankerous old coot with a heart of gold and untapped reserves of strength beneath his hardened exterior, whilst Russell isn't quite annoying enough to cancel out an endearing optimism in the face of physical hurdles.
Michael Giacchino’s exceptional music adds another dimension to what becomes an often hilarious thrill ride of a film. A refreshingly unique voice in his field who showcases old-school compositional chops in his purely orchestral scores, Giacchino continues to deliver and make good on the promise he first revealed with his work on TV’s Lost amongst other projects.
Despite the exceptional screenplay, some of Up’s finest moments require not a single word to evoke an emotional response. A heart-breaking montage early on is a real highlight, capturing the turbulent pathway of Carl’s journey with Ellie, rendering every captured dream and unfulfilled ambition with a moving simplicity. Similarly, the discovery of Ellie’s final declarations from beyond the grave – in the form of a storybook appreciation of their life together – is a meaningful message for all: you needn’t venture to the far-flung reaches of the planet to uncover true adventure - for the greatest one you’ll ever experience is life itself.
Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) is devestated after the passing of childhood sweetheart Ellie (Elie Docter). A grumbling, crotchety old man who’d rather be left alone in a changing world that threatens to consume his humble residence and place in it, Carl’s final escape route from the jaws of retirement village surrender is a stroke of genius: tether the house to thousands of balloons and set sail for a mystical mountain in South America, so often wildly imagined of as an idyllic resting place for he and Ellie in their twilight years.
This sets the scene for what may rank as Pixar’s greatest single set-piece, the sight of the home drifting off into the stratosphere beneath its multi-coloured helium-inflated umbrella, leaving stupefied, frozen visages in its wake. Even in animated form it’s an astonishing sight, the ultimate flight of fancy made real by a visual power that live-action filmmakers would find hard to match.
Unfortunately for Carl, there’s one slight hitch: he’s unwittingly attracted a castaway in plump and eager young scout Russell (Jordan Nagai). Together they almost make it to Carl’s promised land but are compelled to complete the last phase of their journey on foot, dragging the floating house with them. Here they encounter all sorts of danger in the form of a vicious pack of remote-controlled dogs and their reclusive master, Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). They attract the attention of allies too in the shape of avian oddity Kevin and a friendly dissident from the canine horde, Dug (Bob Petersen).
Kevin, Russell, Dug and Carl
The brainchild of Monsters Inc. director Pete Docter and Finding Nemo co-scripter Bob Peterson, Up provides the requisite magic we’ve come to expect from an animation studio whose lovingly constructed work leaves little doubt about the man-hours spent poring over every line. Asner proves to be perfectly cast as the cantankerous old coot with a heart of gold and untapped reserves of strength beneath his hardened exterior, whilst Russell isn't quite annoying enough to cancel out an endearing optimism in the face of physical hurdles.
Michael Giacchino’s exceptional music adds another dimension to what becomes an often hilarious thrill ride of a film. A refreshingly unique voice in his field who showcases old-school compositional chops in his purely orchestral scores, Giacchino continues to deliver and make good on the promise he first revealed with his work on TV’s Lost amongst other projects.
Despite the exceptional screenplay, some of Up’s finest moments require not a single word to evoke an emotional response. A heart-breaking montage early on is a real highlight, capturing the turbulent pathway of Carl’s journey with Ellie, rendering every captured dream and unfulfilled ambition with a moving simplicity. Similarly, the discovery of Ellie’s final declarations from beyond the grave – in the form of a storybook appreciation of their life together – is a meaningful message for all: you needn’t venture to the far-flung reaches of the planet to uncover true adventure - for the greatest one you’ll ever experience is life itself.
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Comment by David O'Connell
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That montage truly is a heart breaker MelGee, no doubt about it, and I swear to God there was this big intimidating guy with a shaved head sitting right in front of me who was wiping tears from the corners of his eyes after it was over!
Wilson, I wouldn't mind seeing it a second time either, these great animated films really stand up to repeat viewings as the past Pixar films have proven.