Pixar has been earning a name for itself by putting out numerous family-friendly computer animated films over the past few years: Finding Nemo in 2003, The Incredibles in 2004, Cars in 2006, Ratatouille in 2007, WALL-E in 2008, and Up in 2009. With Toy Story 3 set for release summer this year and a sequel to Cars, tentative release date in the 2011 summer, it seems that Pixar is on the roll for an annual distribution pace. The most recent film, Up has been deemed the second most successful Pixar film to date, trailing only after Finding Nemo.
In Up, the story tells of an old man named Carl Fredrickson who, in his youth idolizes a great explorer, Charles F. Muntz. After meeting a young girl named Ellie who shares in this desire, they grow close and eventually marry, living together in the house where they first met. Years later, after loosing his beloved wife to illness, Carl decides to complete a dream they both shared: to live at Paradise Falls. In order to do this, he fills up hundreds of balloons that literally lift his house from the ground and carry it away into the sky, creating the iconic image of the movie, a old house born away by a mass of balloon. Along the way, he reluctantly allows Russell, a young Wilderness Explorer, to join him after the boy is accidentally stranded on the porch of his house once it is airborne. Due to a clash of Carl’s cynical attitude and desire to be alone in his old age and Russell’s over-enthusiasm and constant desire to help him, the two protagonists understandably get off on the wrong foot.
The house is thrown off course due to weather and once they arrive at Paradise Falls, it is revealed that they must manually direct the floating house to the edge of the falls, which would accomplish Carl’s dream. As the two head towards the falls, they encounter a large bird, which was originally hunted by Muntz. Russell befriends the bird, naming it Kevin, and manages to get Carl to deviate from his plans in order to aid the creature in returning to its offspring. After meeting with a hunting dog named Dug, who wears a collar that allows him to speak, they soon discover that Charles F. Muntz is still alive and searching for the bird. Due to an earlier failure, Muntz has become dangerously obsessed with bringing the creature back to civilization to restore his tarnished reputation.
When Muntz learns that Carl and Russell have seen the bird, he instantly switches into the antagonist of the film, becoming borderline psychotic as he tries to make them give up the location of the creature. The two protagonists manage to escape, aided by Kevin, but not without Kevin being injured by Muntz’s pack of hunting dogs. When the group is finally cornered, Muntz makes Carl choose between saving Kevin or letting his house burn. Though struggling with the decision, Carl ultimately decides upon his house, allowing Kevin to be captured, Dug to be taken back with Muntz, and damaging the growing relationship between himself and Russell.
While resting his house, which has managed to land next to Paradise Falls over the course of the chase, Carl discovers a picture album his wife made and finds a message from her, telling him to continue on with his dreams, despite the fact that she isn’t around. Carl is inspired by the letter, but finds out too late that Russell has taken some of the balloons from the house and set out to save Kevin. Realizing that he has come to care for his new friends, Carl throws out many of his possessions in order for the remaining balloons to lift the house so he can join in the pursuit.
Upon arrival that Muntz’s airship, Russell is capture, but Carl rescues him. Kevin is freed and Muntz chases them around the ship with his hunting rifle. They are soon trapped inside Carl’s house, which is tethered to the airship by its garden hose. As Muntz forces his way inside, the group escapes through a window back to the airship. Muntz tries to follow, but snags his foot around some of the balloons and falls to his death. The house breaks away from the airship and slowly departs from the group as it lowers towards the ground.
After retuning Kevin to her brood, Carl pilots the airship back to civilization and takes up residence inside it. He attends Russell’s promotion to Senior Explorer, stepping in for the boy’s father who fails to show up. It is revealed at the end of the film that Carl’s house has landed right beside Paradise Falls, where it had been intended to be all during the film.
In many ways, the film is about relationships, as Carl creates and develops numerous one throughout the film. The story plays heavily upon these relationships, strengthening and testing them with every event that takes place. Carl’s relationships with many of the main characters are a driving point in the film, right along side the plot to save Kevin from Muntz. Seeing how his ties are strong at one time, then weaken during curtain events, only to get stronger later, reveals a character who is capable of change, something that is the basis for a “good” character. Indeed, Carl’s transition for grumpy old man to grandfatherly old man takes the entire film to complete, but is well worth the wait. I believe that the real story is Carl’s change; everything else is just a catalyst for this transformation.
The story in Up is one that tugs at the heartstrings of its viewers. It makes us feel for the characters on the screen; some of us may even relate to the character of Carl or Russell. We all want to see the good guys win, but not without a challenge. This formula is presented clearly during the course of the film. Audiences are able to see that Carl struggles with some of his challenges, both physically as well as mentally. Yearning to understand his choices and how they change during event of the film, audiences are drawn towards the character and his transformation. The story surrounds this idea, focusing in on Carl’s feelings and how his actions reflect his developing character.
Till next time,
Richard Jicha
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