DVD Review: Up (Docter, 2009)
March 25th 2010 01:13
DVD Review: Up (Docter, 2009)
Written March 24, 2010
In re-watching Up for the first time since seeing it in the theater, I’m again reminded why Pixar has become the definitive studio with regards to animation in today’s cinema. Up is uncompromisingly witty and packed with charm to the tenth degree. The first 15 minutes of the film contains some of the best sequences every put on celluloid. The pinnacle of the film is the lengthy long montage of Carl and Ellie’s life together. In these scenes, the viewers learn about and moreover care more about these two characters than most of the live action films I’ve ever seen. This sequence takes on some pretty dark subject matter and shows the trials and tribulations of life. Carl and Ellie are possibly one of the sweetest couple and we only get to see them for mere minutes. Like Wall-E and Eve of the previous year, Pixar proves that you don’t need tons of dialogue to feel emotion and connection.
Up is a mature tale, with serious subject matter that is more for adults than children; it’s about regrouping and restarting your life after your loved one passes away. It’s also about the relationships between grown-ups and children. When Russell, an eager boy scout meets Carl, he’s a kid who essentially doesn’t have an involved parent. In Carl, Russell finds someone who listens to him (eventually) and cares about him. A bond is formed between these two lonely souls. An adventure begins. Amongst the way there is an adorable bird, a hilarious dog, and a rather evil man whom was once considered an idol by Carl. In these later scenes the film again ventures into some pretty dark territory yet even as the drama intensifies it’s always a joy to watch.
Much of the film’s majesty and wonder is provided by its soaring Academy Award winnings score, composed by Michael Giacchino. The exhilarating sequences as Carl’s house flies above the clouds are emphasized by Giacchino’s beautiful composition of the main theme that sounds like something out of a Parisian romance.
Up ends on a picture perfect note, in which new adventures which will soon be underway and everything in its right place. This heartwarming, tears-inducing tale is not to be missed.
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