Pixar's new "Up"

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  • Chris D
    Moderator Emeritus
    • Dec 2000
    • 16877

    Pixar's new "Up"



    Took the family to go see "Up" last night. (side note, but we only have a mediocre theater in this area, image was fuzzy, had several annoying teenagers on a Friday night, paid $22 for 2 adults/1kid and another $19 in concessions--this is why I don't see movies outside my private theater anymore, and why I would really like to personally build a new, nice theater in my town)

    Bottom line, Pixar has done it yet again with another solid movie, although this one didn't "move" me like the others.

    Many of you know that I'm a fan of Pixar's products. It's not all about the technology, the animation, the sound effects, the jokes, etc. In the end, Pixar does a superb job of making a good product, but focuses on a GOOD STORY, which provides a rock-solid foundation on which to build the other elements of a movie. This one is definitely one of the most creative stories of all the Pixar movies, about an elderly retiree that escapes the world around him by sailing his house to South America with helium balloons. With a sidekick, they encounter a mythical bird in South America, and a legendary long-lost explorer with a pack of trained dogs that talk through special collars.

    There are some good jokes, sound and picture quality are great. But for me, the story on this one just didn't gel and connect with me nearly like all the other Pixar movies. My wife and I both agreed in a comment that we usually walk out at the end of a Pixar movie feeling "good" and happy, really touched and **ENDEARED** to the film. This time, though, it was cute, it was funny, but not endearing to us.

    Of course... I'll still end up buying it. (eventually, that is--I still haven't bought Wall-E)

    IMHO, Pixar needs to watch their backs. It's always tough to stay on top! A couple years ago, I viewed ALL the Pixar movies as top-tier, 5-star movies. Dreamworks, their closest competitor, was a big step down for me, with some good and funny movies, but not up to the Pixar level. Then Pixar made "Cars", which I thought was really good, but not superb, and Dreamworks made "Over the Hedge", which to me finally smashed the ceiling for Dreamworks are rose to the superstar Pixar level. So now, I would rate "Over the Hedge" as exceeding both "Cars" and "Up", and possibly even "Wall-E".

    I'm going to give "Up" a :35: out of :5:. Worth a trip to the theater if you're looking for a fun night, but not something I would deliberately schedule as a must-see. When it comes out on video, it's absolutely a rental, and for Pixar, animation, and kid/adult movie fans, a purchase, too. Pixar fans should be able to pick out John Ratzenberger's cameo, as he always has one in Pixar flicks. Caught an homage to Star Wars IV, too. I had to get some concessions for the family, so unfortunately I missed the opening animation short, which is usually my favorite part of the whole movie. My wife said it was good, not not great like previous Pixar shorts.
    CHRIS

    Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
    - Pleasantville
  • Ovation
    Super Senior Member
    • Sep 2004
    • 2202

    #2
    I plan to take my daughter next week (she's scheduled for an all day stay at a hospital clinic, so it will be her reward).

    I must say I disagree with your assessment of Cars and Wall*E vs Over the Hedge (though, of course, I don't expect unanimity with my tastes). Cars is my second favourite of all the Pixar movies (though I really can't name one I don't find fantastic), with the Incredibles at number one. And Wall*E, to me, is so evocative of great silent films that I rank it in the top five of Pixar's efforts. Again, different strokes for different folks.

    Anyway, as with every Pixar so far, this is a must-see for me and a purchase when the BD comes out.

    Comment

    • Chris D
      Moderator Emeritus
      • Dec 2000
      • 16877

      #3
      Great, I look forward to hearing your thoughts, Ovation!

      I think you'll really appreciate the introductory sequence to "Up", which tells an entire lifetime story of the elderly couple in almost no words at all. VERY well done, although it has some "non-innocent" events in it which, although not truly adult, are still done about as softly and tastefully as possible for a quasi-kid movie.
      CHRIS

      Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
      - Pleasantville

      Comment

      • Ovation
        Super Senior Member
        • Sep 2004
        • 2202

        #4
        I look forward to it. As for "non-innocent" events (here or in any other film), I am of the opinion that it is far better for my kids to accidentally catch a glimpse of "sexuality" (in its broadest terms--I'm not talking hardcore porn here) than "violence". That is, perhaps, a cultural thing. In Quebec, the rating system is by age, with the exception of G for general audience--13, 16 and 18 are the ratings categories. Something with brief nudity but little violence would rate a 13 whereas Rambo movies are rated 18 (and anything rated 18 is off limits to under 18--it's not like R in the US where a parent can bring someone under 17 and where I've seen 8 year olds at The Matrix). Quebec society is less tolerant of exposing children to violence than to sexuality (these are relative things, of course--it's not that violence is heavily censored, it's that the emphasis on monitoring what children watch is skewed more towards keeping violence at bay than keeping the occasional bit of nudity at bay).

        Anyway, I've strayed way off topic here. As for Up, I'll report my impressions once I've seen it.

        Comment

        • Ovation
          Super Senior Member
          • Sep 2004
          • 2202

          #5
          Just got back from seeing it with my daughter. Fantastic film--it's just displaced Cars to come in at number 2 (for me) of Pixar films. However, it was only showing in 3D in my immediate area (I'm not a big fan and neither is my daughter--she really did not find the glasses comfortable). No Pixar short preceded the 3D screening I attended--a good excuse to trek all the way into the city and see it again with out the glasses.

          The music was outstanding and the opening sequence (all the way to Elly's funeral) was excellent--yet another (like Wall*E) great homage to silent films of yore. A definite release day purchase on BD and it will get lots of viewings.

          It wasn't perfect (the villain's entry into the story is not as seamless as it could be) but the good parts were so good that I'm willing to overlook some minor flaws.

          Comment

          • Gump
            Senior Member
            • Sep 2005
            • 522

            #6
            I kinda liked this movie and, more importantly, my 4yr old daughter and 6yr old son enjoyed it. They each gave it 2 thumbs up (that's a total of 4 if you're keeping track, not including mine of course :T ).

            This movie is a little more laid back than the likes of "Cars", "Wall-e", or "The Incredibles". That doesn't necessarily make it better OR worse than any of those fine movies, it was just a little less frenzied which was ok with me....maybe I'm just getting older and found myself empathizing with the main "octogenarian" character .

            It does have it's exciting, action moments, but there seemed to be a little more of the "human touch" as an underlying tone which was refreshing to me.

            Grade: B+

            Comment

            • P-Dub
              Office Moderator
              • Aug 2000
              • 6766

              #7
              Saw this on the weekend and I also give it a :T

              Really touched by the openning sequence. I really thought it might have been the best part.

              I can't say this is my fav Pixar as I felt there were a few loose strings floating around.

              Now did everybody see the Toy Story 3 trainler coming out next year?
              Paul

              There are three kinds of people in this world; those that can count, and those that can't.

              Comment

              • impala454
                Ultra Senior Member
                • Oct 2007
                • 3814

                #8
                Saw this last night, great flick. No lull spots, great show off of Pixar's talents. The opening short was great as always (though the alien abduction one is still my favorite). I will definitely be snagging this blu-ray when it comes out.

                :T:T
                -Chuck

                Comment

                • Gump
                  Senior Member
                  • Sep 2005
                  • 522

                  #9
                  Here's a little something from the lunatic fringe----

                  I watched Clint Eastwood in "Gran Torino" the other day and found myself pondering the similarities between that movie and "Up"... :E .

                  I know, I know...a couple of my buddies said I was wacky too. But, I came up with at least 5 distinctly common significant traits with both movies. Obviously, I can't detail them here due to the spoiler factor.

                  Now, the endings of each movie were certainly different and of course there weren't quite as many balloons in Gran Torino arty:

                  Ok, I knew I shouldn't have given up drinking....

                  Comment

                  • P-Dub
                    Office Moderator
                    • Aug 2000
                    • 6766

                    #10
                    I just need to know do dogs play an important role, SQUIRREL, in Gran Torino?
                    Paul

                    There are three kinds of people in this world; those that can count, and those that can't.

                    Comment

                    • Chris D
                      Moderator Emeritus
                      • Dec 2000
                      • 16877

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Paul Wu
                      Now did everybody see the Toy Story 3 trainler coming out next year?
                      No, actually, I haven't seen that! The last I heard, Pixar had put a permanent squash on ever doing Toy Story 3, even though it's been rumored for years and years.
                      CHRIS

                      Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
                      - Pleasantville

                      Comment

                      • will1066
                        Senior Member
                        • Aug 2003
                        • 660

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Paul Wu
                        I just need to know do dogs play an important role, SQUIRREL, in Gran Torino?
                        Hahaha.

                        POINT. POINT.

                        I loved the movie. I agree in that there were some loose ends. But it was very touching and just LMAO-type funny with the dog scenes.

                        Comment

                        • Bob
                          Senior Member
                          • Jul 2000
                          • 802

                          #13
                          One of the summers must see movies. My wife and I loved it.

                          Comment

                          • Azeke
                            Super Senior Member
                            • Mar 2003
                            • 2123

                            #14
                            My son and I went to see it, and I enjoyed it tremendously. I laughed, cried (just a litlle), and found it a throughly entertaining movie that the whole family could enjoy. I give it 4.0 out of 5. My only regret, I wish I could have seen it in 3D.

                            Peace and blessings,

                            Azeke

                            Comment

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