Computer animation has reached staggering levels of technical accomplishment since Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios created Toy Story, their first feature together, in 1995. Even without the benefit of 3-D, that accomplishment is readily apparent in Disney/Pixar’s Up, from the texture of clothing to the detail of a dog’s fur to the rise and fall of a character’s breathing. Yet the animation never overshadows the film’s lovely, moving plot.
Up follows the story of Carl Fredericksen (Ed Asner), an old man who ties thousands of balloons to his house to escape urban development and fulfill the dream of his late wife, Ellie, by moving to the mythical Paradise Falls in South America. After he lifts off, Carl discovers a stowaway: Russell, an enthusiastic scout seeking his assisting the elderly badge. When the odd couple finally lands, they find more than they bargained for.
Carl and Ellie
Before Carl sets off on his journey, however, the audience already knows the strength and depth of his relationship with his late wife. A moving, wordless montage following their life together, featuring lovely music by Michael Giacchino, shows viewers the couple’s story instead of telling it. The loss of the protagonist’s wife is heartbreaking even though we’ve only known her for a short time.
Death is not the only theme in Up that drifts into serious territory. Some violence seeps into both the real and fantasy worlds of the film, and Russell’s home life is less than perfect. However, if children are old enough to understand these grown-up ideas or young enough to let these themes sail over their heads, they’ll still find plenty to enjoy in Up.
Delightful Dug
The film features a large group of dogs with collars that allow them to “speak” their thoughts, and the standout canine is the adorable, dopey-looking Dug. The simple thoughts of these animals can be quite funny when translated into human speech, and, in Dug’s case, those thoughts can also be quite touching.
The film’s human characters also bring a lot to the table. The relationship between the innocent, overeager Russell and the cantankerous Carl provides a lot of laughs, and the development of that relationship gives the film its emotional center. Although younger viewers may not appreciate the film on as many levels as adults, every age group can appreciate the movie’s visual marvels. As Disney/Pixar’s technical mastery has increased to the heights reached in Up, so has the quality of the studios’ stories. This film is a stunning achievement on multiple levels.
