There are very few certainties in life. Namely, you can count on death and taxes. And for the last fifteen years, you could also add Pixar movies. With every entry added to their library they create another masterpiece that is well done and a delight for everyone from age 8 to 80. In their latest entry, Up (which ironically has two main characters represented by those ages), however, fail to hit their standard homerun.
That is not to say that this film isn't well done. Once again, the Pixar crew has created a gorgeous looking film. Even on my crummy, bubble-tube television the colors pop off the screen in a glorious visual array. As per usual, the animators have made every effort to put in every last detail into what they are depicting. I can only imagine what this film looked like in 3-D. Unlike so many of these films that are trying to cash in on the fad, this is a movie that didn't need 3-D, yet can still be enhanced by the added technology.
For all its beauty, where Up falters is with its storytelling. If you don't know the plot, it's about an elderly man named Carl (voiced by Ed Asner), who, after his wife's passing, decides to fly to a South American destination that they always wanted to go as a couple but never had the opportunity to. Not wanting to part with his house, Carl rigs up thousands of balloons to float him and his humble abode to this location. Unbeknownst to him until after takeoff, Carl discovers a neighborhood boy has stowed away on his porch. Once arriving in South America, the real adventure for the two takes off.
Throughout this adventure, there are some truly excellent scenes that remind us of why these films are typically excellent. The montage at the beginning of the film chronicling Carl's relationship with his wife is touching and heartbreaking and more moving than most scenes in live action films. There are also several inspired comedic moments as well. Many of them come from the keen observations made about the behavior of dogs. The two main characters encounter several dogs, including the scene-stealing Dug, once they arrive in South America. The filmmakers ability to have the dogs speak like humans, yet still act like dogs provide some of the film's most clever moments.
Overall though, my main problem with the film was that I just never bought into the world that they tried to create in this film. It may seem like an odd thing to say about a cartoon, but this is what happens when Pixar sets the bar so high for themselves. The quality of their previous films have allowed me to buy into concepts like talking toys and gourmet rats. This time they ended up trying to have their cake and eating it too. The opening montage that I spoke about earlier is so rooted in reality that when things get cartoonish later on it becomes all the more jarring. I had problems with both the quickness with which Carl was able to concoct this balloon house plan and that someone his age would be able to pull it off. Then the film really plays fasts and loose with the laws of physics once they arrive in South America. Somehow Carl is able to tether himself to his house and drag it along like its a kite. I kept waiting for some sort of explanation for why all of these outlandish events were happening, but it never came.
Perhaps their problem was entering into PG territory for the first time. It may not seem like a big leap, but obviously there are increased expectations once you move out of the G rating. It was clear that Pixar was reaching for the sky with this film, I just don't think they quite made it. Let it be known that this is not a negative review for the film. I still believe that this is an enjoyable movie that is worth your time to check out now that it is out on DVD. However, I believe that this proved that perhaps Pixar cannot simply skate (or in this case float) by on their name alone. Like all good filmmakers they've got to continually earn the praise they receive for their work. The interesting thing though is that with the Oscars allowing 10 Best Picture nominees this year, there is a chance this might receive one. That would be a shame considering some of the far superior films that have come from this company and have been ignored in the past by the Academy. I won't be too upset though, because Pixar certainly deserves the recognition even if Up failed to reach the heights of some of their other classics. Grade: B+
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