Skip to main content

Animated Addict: "Up" (2009)


The Animated Addict is back in town, and in the Basement with another review!  Today, I'm going to take a quick look to the skies as I review Pixar's 2009 release, "Up"!

Carl met the love of his life at the age of nine.  Ellie was fearless, adventurous, and energetic... and she had her own clubhouse.  They both shared a dream to visit Paradise Falls- a dream they would work to accomplish throughout the length of their relationship.

 Until tragedy struck the loving couple.

Soon, Carl would learn what it really means to have an adventure... and that it can be found in the most unexpected places...

Right up front, I'm going to tell you that "Up" is in "The Good" for me.

Wait, my bad- SPOILER ALERT!

There, corrected my faux pas.

But it's true.  This animated film is one of my favorite Pixar films- right up there with "WALL-E", "Finding Nemo", and "Inside Out".

Pixar has always had the ability to bring such a strong foundation of emotional connection to their movies.  You CARE about the characters, and WANT to cheer them on as they travel the animated journey they're on.  When something bad happens, you feel sympathy; when they experience something joyful, you feel happy.  They make you feel- which is what great cinema is supposed to do.

The opening portion of the film dealing with Carl's and Ellie's relationship showcases their skill at that masterfully.  If you didn't cry, sniffle, or just even sigh with sympathy by the end of it, then fuck you.  That segment is one of the most romantic and dramatic love stories ever told in an animated film. EVER!

The animation is beautiful- both the character designs, and the scenery.  The character designs fit the character voices perfectly.  The voices of Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, and Bob Peterson lent their voices to the lead characters, and filled them with depth, charm, and humour.  Even the antagonist, Charles Muntz (played by Plummer) wasn't just a villain.  You could understand how he came to be the emotionally disturbed man he was.

I especially want to commend Pixar for NOT using a white voice actor to play the Asian role of Russell.  Nagai did a great job, and I hope opens the door for further use of ethnic voice actors being used for the appropriate ethnic roles.

The story's ability to connect with people, and draw from them a good emotional response; the characters's likability and depth; the tremendous voice actors, and the beautiful art direction and character designs; all of these things are what firmly put Pixar's "Up" into "The Good".
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#CocktailHour: Slushtail

  Summer approaches, inspiring thoughts of sunshine, backyard parties, and having a tip and sip with friends.  With that in mind, I bring you this week sunny beverage. To make a slushtail, mix a can of frozen orange juice, a can of frozen lemonade (or limeade), a can of pineapple juice, a couple cups of black tea (or English Breakfast), and two cups of bourbon- such as Southern Comfort, in a pitcher.  When it's all nicely mixed, put it in the freezer until it's a nice slushy consistency. Scoop the slush into a cocktail glass, and pour in some Sprite or 7-Up.  Add a little umbrella for some frivolous fun, and a straw. Voila!  Ready to enjoy. This is a very refreshing drink.  The fruit juices, Sprite, and bourbon- when chilled makes for a great punch-like drink.  The bourbon doesn't overwhelm juices.   In fact, they are all nicely balanced in terms of flavors.  The sourness of the citrus fruits contrasts well with the slightly sweeter Southern Comfort.  It was refreshing enou
Post a Comment
Read more

Unlock your fate with The Puzzle

When my dad wasn't working, building stuff or being my dad, he was making puzzles. It was a guaranteed way for him to unwind. So it was with great interest that I sat down to watch Italian filmmaker Davide Melini's award-winning short The Puzzle. You see, the mother in the five-minute film likes to relax with puzzles just like my dad. Unfortunately, her good-for-nothing son keeps harassing her for money. Losing herself in her favourite passtime, the mother soon discovers that completing this puzzle might unlock a nightmare. The Puzzle has been an official selection at more European film festivals than you can shake a stick at, and was voted Third Best Italian Film at the Rome International Film Festival in 2008. Having watched it, I'm not surprised. It's a tight little film that hits you hard in the final few seconds. You can tell Melini cut his teeth as an assistant director for legendary Italian filmmaker Dario Argento. But enough chit chat on my part. See if yo
Post a Comment
Read more

The Animated Addict: "The Adventures of Tintin" (2011)

If you're a 40 + white dude, like myself, you may remember a comic series called " The Adventures of Tintin ".  I know I remember them.  This series, dating back to 1929, got turned into a animated feature film by Steven Spielberg in 2011. After buying a model of ship called The Unicorn, teenaged journalist Tintin finds himself on adventure that will take him from the high seas, to the low deserts, and from the distant past to the present.  With his trusty dog, Snowy, by his side, Tintin uncovers a story connecting two men across the centuries.. . The story is really quite good.  It's well crafted, and high paced- with just enough slow moments to build and develop the world and the characters.  This is the sort of adventure story you'd find in the old serials of the 1930's and '40's.  In fact, it felt like it was the sort of tale that you'd find Indiana Jones undertaking.  I found myself swept up, and swept along as our hero swung from one e
Post a Comment
Read more