When a studio knows it has a hit on its hands they will sometimes have a very early advance screening, such was the case when my partner and I saw Disney Pixar's "Up". Screening this early shows just how smart a movie company can be. Unlike Monsters Vs. Aliens, some of Ups story is a little dark for younger children, most wont understand the significance of what happens early in the movie, although sadly a few will.
The movie opens as a young Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) is watching a movie of explorer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer), as he is declared a fraud, Muntz claims he found a rare bird, scientists, unable to put together the bones decide that the bird is a fake. Muntz so enraged takes his dogs and says he is going to capture a live specimen and wont return until he does so. Carl returning home finds Ellie in an abandoned house playing, the two meet and it seems fate has found the perfect couple, getting married Carl and Ellie dream of going to South America and living near a waterfall. Carl sells balloons at the zoo, life passes the couple by, and as fate is fickle, Carl is soon all alone, the fast pace of life catches up with Carl when he mistakenly assaults a construction worker. Carl is declared a menace and is forced to move into a retirement home, but he decides that his promise to Ellie must be filled, so taking some of his balloons he ties several thousand to his chimney and lifts off.
Soon after lifting off Carl is surprised to hear knocking on his door, he opens it to find Wilderness Explorer Scout Russell (Jordan Nagai) standing on his porch. deciding he must return and take Russell home, The house is drawn into a severe storm, Carl is knocked out and Russell takes the house to a spot where they can slide down a garden hose and explore where they are. the two are soon met by Dug (Bob Petterson) who is as lovable a dog as he is inept as a watchdog, Dug wears a collar that translates his thoughts into comical sounding English, and Kevin a bird so unique that Russell wants to keep it. Seeing the falls are close Carl decides that he and Russell can take the hose and tie themselves to it and just walk the house to the falls, Dug and Kevin follow them, as they make their way closer to the falls. Also looking for Kevin are several other dogs. lead by Alpha, whose collar is broken which causes his voice to be high pitched, also with him are Betta and Gamma two other dogs who think it's funny Dug is looking for the bird alone.
Unknown to any of the three dogs Dug has already found the rare bird and Russell, who the others call the little mailman. Being trapped and cornered by the dogs Carl and Russell are taken to a cave where they meet Charles Muntz in the flesh, still looking to prove his bird was real, when Carl tells Muntz that he was a big fan of his, Muntz tells the dogs that both Carl and Russell are now his guests. Once aboard Muntz's airship the two are offered dinner, Russell inadvertently lets it slip that the bird Muntz is looking for is his new friend Kevin. Muntz feels betrayed by Carl and the two slowly make their way out of Muntz's airship. Now Carl and Russell feel that they need to help Kevin - who it turns out is female and the mommy of several small birds - get back to his nest. Setting off Muntz and his band of dogs chase and capture Kevin, feeling used up but not ready to give in Carl decides that Ellie would have wanted him to continue his new adventure, finding Dug once again Carl notices Russell has taken some balloons and set off to rescue his new best friend, Carl lightens the house by throwing all of the furniture out, once again the house becomes airborne and Carl gives chase.
Russell has been tied to a chair and is slowly falling out of the airship, Carl seeing this saves him just in time, once Carl makes his way onto the airship, Carl and Dug make their way to where Muntz is keeping his new discovery, Carl sees that Alpha has left several dogs to guard Kevin, takes a tennis ball from his walker and throws it out in the hallway, the dogs, being dogs give chase. Carl frees Kevin and starts to make his way to get off the ship, Muntz attacks Carl and the two fight it out over Kevin, unknown to Carl, Russell has gotten back aboard the ship, Alpha thinks that it is time he dealt with Dug once and for all, it is a short fight, Dug betters Alpha by slamming the cone of shame around his neck. Russell is attacked by several of Alpha's hence dogs and barely manages to best them.The group that is now four make it back to the ground and Kevin is reunited with her family. Once back home Russell is awarded the highest medal Carl can give him, the Ellie Badge. The movie ends with the two sitting outside an ice cream shop counting cars.
I give Up a high 3 and on my avoidance scale a 0. This is one of the best Pixar movies that has come out in awhile, the4 beginning has you thinking that maybe the kids next to you wont be entertained, that idea will disappear rather quickly, and you may find that it is you that is the one being entertained. Giving the idea of family movies a boost, Up will be on most every ones best list at the end of the year.Take the neighbors kids, take your kids, heck take the kid in you to see this wonderful movie.
Up is rated PG for Some Peril and Action
Running time is 1 hr. 29 mins.
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