Comments (2)

By Little Mummy, April 17, 2010 3:36 am

by BigDaddy

After being sent the Blu-Ray of Up by Disney I could not get it in the player fast enough. I had already seen it in the cinema in 3D so I was eager to see how Blu-ray would match up. I was also very excited because Up is my 2nd favourite Disney/Pixar movie (after Monsters Inc)

At first glance, Up is the least conventional animated movie in recent memory. The hero is not a fish, monster, toy or superhero. He is a grumpy old man named Carl Fredricksen a helium balloon salesman, a widow who lives alone in the house he once shared with his wife which is now under threat from an office block development. See, not exactly classic Disney so far! In a brilliantly subtle opening sequence, we see a young Carl meet his best friend and future wife Ellie due to their shared interest in adventure and love of famous explorer Charles Muntz. We take an uplifting, yet ultimately sad and at times traumatic trip through their life together, dealing with hopes & dreams (they want to travel to Paradise Falls, South America) life (building their home) and death (Ellie’s miscarriage & death in later life). Still not getting that Disney vibe? All of this is packed into the first 7 minutes of the movie with such craft and skill you will be almost emotionally drained. I am not afraid to admit I was choking back the tears. Even the back-story of Russell (Carl’s young wilderness explorer companion on his adventure) is filled with sadness. His dad isn’t around much and Russell really lacks a father figure, someone to be proud of him.

I think this is what makes Up such an interesting movie, it has very ‘grown up’ themes and while it has lots of action and imagination (not to mention top drawer animation and talking dogs) to keep the kids happy I think it’s a very different movie to watch for us adults. It really makes you think about what you are seeing and how it makes you feel. It also gives you great hope.

Ultimately, after the adventure is over, the talking dogs are forgotten and the flying balloon house is a distant memory I will remember one thing about Up. This is a movie with lots of heart and it made my spirit soar.

Comments (3)

By Little Mummy, July 1, 2009 1:00 pm

Okay listen up people, you’ve got to go and see Up when it comes out, 3D or otherwise you won’t be disappointed. As far as these modern animated films go this is by far the best storyline I’ve seen so far, the 3D may add another dimension, literally, however this film stands up well enough without gimmicks.

In the first ten minutes, friendship, marriage, miscarriage and death had all been covered in a short montage, be ready for some difficult questions, much of it went over Erin’s head at three, older children will take in a lot more.

The story follows a septuagenerian named Mr Frederickson who loses his wife and soulmate and ultimately faces losing his home, this is where the film really gets going and the more fantastical part of the plot kicks in which takes Mr Frederickson and various sidekicks on an adventure of a lifetime. The plot turns serious again when you realise that the whole adventure has been an outlet for Mr Frederickson’s grief which eventually forces him to move on with his life.

Take your tissues, I never thought a ‘cartoon’ could be so moving, I was stunned to find out that even my husband had had to choke back a tear. The issues were covered beautifully without being too heavy for younger viewers whilst providing some ‘meat’ for parents.

I’d go as far as to say this is the best film I’ve seen this year and, for me, ranks beside The Dark Knight and Little Miss Sunshine, high praise indeed, but well deserved.