(Wow. Just.... wow.)
CAST: Voices of Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Petersen, Delroy Lindo, Jerome Ranft, John Ratzenberger.
DIRECTOR: Joe Docter, Bob Petersen.
NOTE: No SPOILERS this time. Trust me - you need to discover this wonderful movie on your own.
When I first saw the trailers for Disney's UP last year, I didn't have much enthusiasm for them. Completely understandable, because I am not exactly a fervent fan of the Pixar films, which - while almost always decent - just don't get my blood going like a good suspense-thriller, romantic comedy, or action film with Russell Crowe do. Needless to say, I wasn't one of the hordes of movie-goers who helped UP open to the massive tune of $68 million over one weekend last MAY 2009. Nor was I one of those who helped it finally reach a total domestic gross of about $280 million - an undisputed hit.
Nor was I among the folks who either rented or bought UP on DVD when it was released in that format six months or so later. In fact, while it seemed to garner glowing reviews left and right, it somehow just never occurred to me check the film out. The story would be different if we were dealing with a live-action film. I supposed I'm just not one of the TOY STORY/WALL-E/ICE AGE/FINDING NEMO crowd who basically go insane everytime Pixar or Dreamworks announces their next CGI-family extravaganza.
And if it hadn't been for a friend's ringing endorsement of UP, I probably still would not have seen it. Paul Rudd (as I will call him, because he looks like that actor - only, well, shorter) stated that it was a great film, that was also "emotionally rewarding." Now, there are very few people in my social circle who use the phrase "emotionally rewarding" to describe anything that doesn't have to do with tangled sweaty naked bodies, so to have someone use these words to describe a film is high praise, indeed.
So - I caved in and added UP to the line-up of reviews, then went out to rent it...
...and realized what a fucking idiot I've been.
Folks, the movie is wonderful. I knew very little about it going in - and so should you. That is, if you're one of the six other idiots who hasn't seen this movie. I will sketch out the broad strokes of the plot, but the rest is up for you to discover.
The story revolves around Carl Fredricksen (voice of Edward Asner), a lonely widower who pines for his dead wife, Ellie. Carl and Ellie were childhood and lifelong sweethearts united by a common love of adventure. One of the things that Carl always promised Ellie was he would take her to visit a remote place called "Paradise Falls" in South America. This place was also the obsession of their childhood hero, Sir Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer), who - after an ill-fated first trip - returned there in search of vindication and an elusive creature. He never returned. With Ellie gone, and a development company threatening to demolish the home he built with her, Carl decides to carry out his promise to Ellie - and travel to Paradise Falls. And, perhaps, solve them mystery of Charles Muntz's disappearance.
It won't come as a surprise that Carl does this by tying thousands and thousands of balloons to his fireplace and using them to float the entire house to South America. Nor will it be shocking to discover that a cute boy scout named Russell (Jordan Nagai) inadvertently hitches a ride with Carl. What will come as a surprise, however, are the various characters and adventures that Carl and Russell encounter when they finally arrive at Paradise falls. UP has so many delightful and touching surprises up its sleeves, and dispenses them at just the right pace and moments, that even the most jaded viewers will be besides themselves with joy.
I know I was. Now - go forth and discover UP. And get ready to have your breath taken away...
BUT, SERIOUSLY: Pretty much, everything I said above. I really don't want to SPOIL anything for anyone who hasn't seen this film. If you've already seen UP, then you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't then you, my friend, have quite an experience waiting ahead of you. I can't remember the last time I saw a movie that so vividly and achingly captured the endless hunger for adventure, connection, and redemption - and make it so entertaining.
I will say this in closing: what makes UP a much better film than your usual Pixar extravaganza is its underlying message: at some point, you have to move on and say good-bye to the past - and let it go. Because letting go is the only way to hold on to the past in a way that allows you bring it with you as you move forward. I love this movie. Love. It.
And I owe Paul Rudd, big-time.
