Movie Review: Up

THREE THINGS I LIKED:

1. PIXAR STILL ENTERTAINS THE ADULTS JUST AS MUCH AS THE KIDS — There's always the time-tested elements that will be guaranteed to appeal to the children, and a story using thousands of balloons to pull an old man's house into the air is certainly no different. But the artistic way that the journey to Paradise Falls is presented feels distinctly modern, yet could appeal just as much to those who appreciate Chaplin as it would those who treasure Miyazaki. What's more, one powerfully effective interlude early in the film gives many of the images throughout added emotional weight, whatever age you are.
   
2. THAT MIGHT BE THE BEST SCENE PIXAR HAS EVER DONE — It was essentially impossible for me not to be moved by the incredibly tender way in which the entire story of a marriage is told in less than five minutes. This company's had plenty of other movies with plenty of other similar moments that amaze you at how animation could move you in unexpected ways, and that scene masterfully plugs the audience in by grabbing them right by their hearts. Only people without one could not be.
   
3. I ENDED UP BEING A SUCKER FOR THE TALKING DOGS — Sue me.

THREE THINGS I DIDN'T:

1. THE FAMILIAR SHAPE OF THE OLD MAN/YOUNG BOY DYNAMIC — Of course they're going to learn from one another, but the repetitive nature of the young cub scout that finds himself along for the ride, Russell (voiced by Jordan Nagai), really pushes the act to the brink of being unbearably irritating. The film's cantankerous hero, Carl (Ed Asner), also comes with some repetitive mannerisms, and the duo essentially stays within conventional expectations.
   
2. WHAT UNPREDICTABILITY THE FILM DOES OFFER HAS A HIT-OR-MISS QUALITY — Perhaps it's something of a testament to the makers of Up for trying a couple of different directions that offer their share of good and their share of bad, but ultimately the plot seems to be losing its momentum as what precisely Carl's aim is becomes less and less clear.
   
3. THE OVERALL EFFECT FELT MORE CALCULATED THAN NATURAL — The move get its point across well enough, even if the theme gets a little sappy by the conclusion. While I might regard the Toy Story series in regards that make it unreachable in comparison for any future animated film, Up is a nice enough daydream about the greatest adventure being right in front of us. It's just that ultimately the film's originality really feels about as light as one of those balloons.
   

25 WORDS OR LESS:

While Up doesn't rise above the bar Pixar itself set mighty high some 15 years ago, it's still an admirable effort.