From the opening scene, depicting a black and white “moving picture show” of Carl’s favorite explorer, there is not only a removal from the modern world but also a beautiful infusing of curiosity. With a liberal dose of magic all too rare in recent children’s film, Up begins by going back to a different time.
Beautiful Storytelling Will Stick with Audiences
Up is the story of Carl (voice by Ed Asner), a little boy-turned-man who risks all for his dreams, even in the face of tragedy. We see short glimpses of his life with wife and soulmate Ellie, but mostly catch his story near the end, after Ellie’s passing. In a time when children are impressed by so little, and expect the delivery of the impossible in seconds, Carl’s wide-eyed curiosity is endearing and refreshing to behold. Even better is his enduring wonder at the age of seventy-eight, in the wake of so much sadness, so much loss.
Carl is immediately a loveable character because, though he tries to attain some fearful respect with a growl and a threat, he clearly possesses a pure, fully kind heart. His curmudgeon’s outlook does not fool the audience, and it does not fool young Russell who comes to visit armed with Boy Scout badges and a strict script. Both Carl and the filmmakers seem to be winking at the audience, nudging us a few times lest we begin to believe in this outward defense of Carl’s before he really has a chance to prove himself.
It’s clear from the mini-biography in the first twenty minutes of Up that Carl has experienced another anomaly in modern culture: a real romance. His is a romance that comes with flowers and goosebumps and black and white photos, and it lasts his entire lifetime. It is this fact, just as much as the dream of exploring, which lends the film a sense of grand extravagance.
And Glorious Adventure Keeps Kids Riveted
Then the real fun begins. Peterson and Docter have essentially crafted a little boy’s wildest dream in the second half of the movie. Nothing is impossible, nothing is less than fascinating, and nothing falls short of wild adventure. Carl and Russell find their way to Paradise Falls in their balloon-fueled house, against all odds. They land in the midst of uncivilized land, finding giant friendly birds and dogs who can talk, among other things. There are dastardly plots, thrilling chases, and unlikely heroes.
Just like any truly great movie, Up brings the audience many laughs and many heartbreaks, but finishes with a swell of tears and happy endings for all. The people behind Finding Nemo and The Incredibles have done it again; Up can be filed with the classics.
