We can probably all remember where we were when we first experienced Up's opening twelve-minute sequence. It is truly a life-defining moment because we have never witnessed anything like it. The story is set-up with Carl Fredricksen falling for the energetic Ellie in their adolescence. As this scene opens, we are initially anticipating a nice scene from our main character's childhood before soon jumping to the actual time period of our story. However, in hindsight, we should have known better because this is Pixar we are dealing with; they thrive by doing the unexpected. Upon setting up the relationship, the scene that follows may just be Pixar's crowing achievement. With simply Michael Giacchio's award-winning score accompanying, the life story of Carl and Ellie unfolds from marriage until death do they part. For a studio that has created classic scene after classic scene in their films, the opening sequence of Up is not only Pixar's best scene to date; it is one of the greatest scenes in the history of animation and Hollywood in general. I truly cannot overstate my immense adoration for this scene. I have watched Up more times than I can count, and this scene still brings tears to my eyes (And I've only ever cried in two films, folks: Up and Toy Story 3).
We quite literally live life with Carl Fredricksen in Up, and what a wonderful life it is! As is normally the case, Carl's life is filled with ups and downs, but one aspect of his life is persistent everyday, and that is his amazing devotion to his wife, Ellie. This dedication drives the film's heart and soul, and it is a spectacle to behold. Carl's characterization had the potential to be rather unremarkable, but somehow, Pixar was able to turn Carl into one of their more complex and fascinating creations to date. Ed Asner provides the perfect voice for Carl as you can feel the emotion with every word Asner utters. In addition to Carl, Jordan Nagai's Russell is an absolute show-stopper. Russell comes along at the most opportune moment to give Up that signature Pixar humor and charm. This is the character you will leave quoting without question. Russell is downright hilarious, but he also drives the heart of the film alongside Carl. Russell's dad is out of the picture, so when he is afforded the opportunity to assist the elderly in the form of Mr. Fredricksen, that relationship blossoms into an unlikely familial bond. Carl and Russell's evolution throughout the film is what elevates Up to the masterpiece level.
If you don't leave quoting Russell, odds are you will probably be quoting Dug instead. The talking dog comes on the scene and proceeds to interject some classic humor into the film ("Squirrel!"). Yet again, though, Dug is not just the comedic character of the film; Pixar miraculously gives dimension to a talking dog! Dug simply wants to prove himself worthy of being in the company of his fellow technologically-advanced canines. He knows and understands that he is essentially an outcast, but that doesn't stop him from tracking down Kevin (a beautiful creation and great character, by the way) and attempting to bring him back to his masters. When Dug decides to aid Russell and Carl, therefore, it is a rather powerful moment. Also, our villain, Charles Muntz, is voiced by Christopher Plummer, and I am fairly certain that it is impossible for Plummer to hurt a film. He joins the story late, but Muntz makes his presence felt in an ingenious twist that only Pixar could pull off.
The animation found in Up is some of Pixar's best work (I feel as if I write that for every Pixar film, but it is so true!). Every sequence that takes place while the flying house is in the air is sensational, especially when an unexpected storm hits. The character animation is superb as well, highlighted by the tremendous work done with Kevin and the legion of Muntz's dogs. Also, I do not think that words could adequately express how perfect Michael Giacchino's spellbinding score is in Up. We have grown accustomed to Giacchino crafting legendary scores for Pixar, but in Up, he steps up his game in a remarkable way. That music being played during those opening twelve-minutes never ceases to give me an ungodly amount of chills. The way he is able to then weave that theme throughout the rest of the film is quite glorious. In a film packed with highlights, Giacchino's score may be the true standout.
There are simply not enough adjectives in the English language to properly project how much I love Up. Its artistry is inspirational; its characters are legendary; its story is wholly original, and its messages are needed. Up is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It will forever challenge, entertain, and inspire, the true pillars of Pixar Animation Studios.
Rating: 10/10
Historical Significance: The villain for this film being named Charles Muntz is no accident. The name was inspired by Charles Mintz, who hardcore Disney fans know all too well. Mintz was the Universal Picture executive who, in 1928, used a loophole in a contract negotiated with Walt Disney to steal the rights of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt's first highly successful character. During a meeting in which Walt intended to ask for more funds to support further Oswald cartoons, Mintz informed Walt that he was cutting his pay and claimed ownership of the character. Walt was devastated that he had to give up the rights to Oswald, but as we all know, this misfortune eventually led to Walt's greatest triumph and creation: Mickey Mouse. Disney would re-acquire the rights to Oswald in 2006. The Up villain was slyly named in Mintz's "honor." Up saw great success at the Academy Awards in 2010, becoming the first film to ever be nominated for Best Picture and Best Animated Feature (the Best Animated Feature category was not created until 2001, a decade after Beauty and the Beast was famously nominated for Best Picture). The film won Best Animated Feature and Michael Giacchino's score won Best Original Score, becoming only the ninth score to win a Grammy, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award in the same awards cycle (Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin also accomplished this feat).
Behind the Scenes: Up was the first animated film to ever open the legendary Cannes Film Festival in France. As the film concluded, the audience was completely silent. In 2011, at the D23 Expo, John Lasseter revealed that the silence was finally broken by Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton who initially applauded and began a triumphant standing ovation. Furthermore, Jordan Nagai provides the voice of Russell, a role he was originally not suppose to audition for. In fact, he was simply accompanying his brother, Hunter, to his audition for the role. It was estimated that four hundred children came out to audition for the part, but Nagai stood out because he would not stop talking in line, an obvious characteristic of Russell. Director Pete Docter later stated, "As soon as Jordan's voice came on, we started smiling because he is appealing and innocent and cute and different from what I was initially thinking." Russell went on to become Pixar's first Asian-American character voiced by an Asian-American actor.
Favorite Character: Carl Fredricksen becomes my favorite character in about twelve minutes flat. That iconic, studio-defining opening sequence in which Carl and Ellie experience every emotion from love found to love lost is a cinematic hallmark, and it also expertly develops Carl as a character while also setting him nicely for the rest of the film. In this scene, we clearly see that Carl is head over heels for Ellie, willing to do whatever it takes to ensure her happiness. The simple action of crossing his heart as he promises Ellie they would venture to Paradise Falls one day is such a exquisite detail that is then woven into the very fabric of this legendary story. As the couple journeys through life throughout the remainder of this scene, we witness Carl's undying affection and unwavering love for his soulmate, and upon this scene's conclusion, Carl is a character that we find ourselves cheering for in unprecedented fashion. We desperately want to see him make it to the Falls, and when the inevitable obstacles start stacking up against him, we genuinely worry that this dream may truly never come true, but when he is encouraged to go have a new adventure with Russell and Dug, boy, do we rejoice. Carl is a testament to the magic and greatness of Pixar as they take a potentially unlovable grump and turn him into one of their greatest creations.
Favorite Scene: There shouldn't be much suspense going into my reveal for my selection here. By far, my favorite scene in Up is the story of Carl and Ellie told in the film's first twelve minutes. Throughout Pixar's illustrious history, they have created so many iconic scenes in each of their films, and I firmly believe that this scene is Pixar's best scene to date. Not only is it obviously emotionally investing, but it features tremendous character development with ingenious animation (and editing) and the highlight of Michael Giacchino's career. His track entitled "Married Life" is absolutely iconic, eventually becoming the film's theme as the story progresses. As the dialogue is stripped away, Pixar relies solely on their animation and Giacchino's music, and as he is afforded the opportunity to take center stage, Giacchino crosses over from being an excellent composer to being my favorite composer outside of John Williams. Up accomplishes in twelve minutes what most romantic films fail to do in two hours. It establishes the story, develops the characters, and literally allows life to be lived, and the incredible part about Carl and Ellie's life is that Pixar pulls no punches. They show a life that is certainly filled with ups, but as is the case with everyone's reality, they are unafraid to show the downs as well. For everyone almost fully funded excursion to Paradise Falls, there is bound to be a blown tire. It is a marvelous sequence that I could literally write about forever, but I shall end by saying this: thank you, Pixar, for making me proud to be an emotional wreck.Updated Ranking: I have now reached the point in ranking these Pixar films that I am basically splitting hairs. It is impossible to rank one over the other, but this is the burden I have placed on myself, so here it is.
- The Incredibles
- Toy Story
- Finding Nemo
- Up
- Ratatouille
- Wall-E
- Monsters Inc.
- Toy Story 2
- A Bug's Life
- Cars
Tomorrow, the third Golden Age of Disney arrives as the studio returns to their Renaissance roots in The Princess and the Frog!
-Cody Fleenor
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