FILMS
Pixar flies high with ‘Up’
Reviewed by Rebecca Bostic | June 4, 2009 | The Catholic Sun
Pixar’s latest film does not center on a child or young talking animal, but on a 78-year-old balloon salesman.
Carl Fredrickson, voiced by Edward Asner, falls into a life of self-pity and anger after losing his adventuresome wife in “Up” (Disney/Pixar).
When threatened with the loss of his house, Carl decides to pursue the life dream he shared with his wife — of traveling to Paradise Falls in South America. But he’s taking his house with him.
Carl attaches thousands of balloons to his home, which is then uprooted for the flight to Paradise Falls. The widower is shocked to find that Russell, a young, naive Boy Scout-type who has been trying to earn a badge for assisting the elderly — in this case, Carl, much to the latter’s dismay — has inadvertently come along for the adventure.
As the two companions — one unwilling and the other overly energetic and borderline spastic — dive into the jungle of South America, some extremely unique characters, each with their own motive, disrupt their adventure.
Carl’s relationship with Ellie, his wife, is the plot’s impetus, but the heart of the film is the relationship he develops with Russell. Carl often speaks to his deceased wife and seems to be unwilling to move forward in life. The lesson the adventure teaches is aptly summarized by St. John of the Cross: “At the evening of our life, we shall be judged on our love” (Dichos 64).
Carl makes decisions that are hurtful toward Russell and other characters because he is so connected to his previous love, who has moved into the next life without him. It is not until he finds a message from Ellie urging him to begin a new adventure that he makes the necessary change to find and grow a loving relationship with Russell, who lacks a father figure.
This decision to love gives meaning to the “evening” of Carl’s life. Love gives meaning to life, as the animated characters demonstrate.
On all technical levels — animation, voice recording, writing, directing — “Up” is without flaw. The dialogue is witty, jokes are sharp and the irony is poignant. The adventure Carl and Russell embark on is secondary to the emotional road the two travel together.
“Up” is fun without being lighthearted. Even though Pixar has done it before, it is still shocking to view such a multifaceted story considered by most to be a children’s film. The filmmakers once again push the limits of the animated feature.
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Media critic Rebecca Bostic is a regular contributor to The Catholic Sun. Comments are welcome. Send e-mail to letters@catholicsun.org.
