Up

06.11.2009

Film Trailer

The 78-year old Carl Fredricksen attaches thousands of balloons to his house and flies to South America to fulfil his lifelong dream. "Up" is a brilliant film, which continues to surprise with exquisite story telling, wonderful humour and fun characters.

Plot
This film begins with a fantastically nice and touching scene where Carl Fredricksen's life is described. We get to know a young boy who is passionately interested in the adventurer Charles Muntz. This interest he shares with Ellie, a lively girl who later becomes his wife. Carl and Ellie dream about going on an adventure to the Paradise Falls in South-America, but through the years there is always something that stops them. In the end Ellie takes ill and dies, and Carl is left alone in their house, now as an impatient and grumpy old man.

One day, it's decided that Carl has to move to a nursing home. But Carl won't have any of it. The retired balloon seller digs out his old storage of balloons, attaches them to his house, blows them up with gas and flies away towards Paradise Falls. But Carl isn't alone. Without knowing it he's got the young Wilderness Explorer Russell with him on the journey. Carl tries to get rid of the boy, but a storm grabs hold of the house and blows it all the way to South-America.

And it's here the adventure really starts: co-incidences cause the house to sink towards the ground just by Paradise Falls, and then it's up to Carl and Russel to drag the floating house through the wilderness and over to the other side of a steep mountain side. But this proves to be easier said than done, because on the way they meet a rare bird, an army of talking dogs, and as if that wasn't enough, Charles Muntz himself. But Charles Muntz is not the hero Carl thought he was. On the contrary, he's evil, bitter and hell-bent on catching the rare bird Carl's made friends with.

Quality and Theme
"Up" is a great movie. The story is colourful, exciting and full of fun episodes. At the same time the story of the old man who has lost everything except for his dream has several warm and touching scenes. It is especially refreshing that the turn of events continually surprise. He story is so elegantly told and has so many crazy ideas, that the audience often reacts with heartfelt laughter and sympathy.

The message of the story is multifaceted and rich. First of all, it conveys that it's never too late for adventure, or to fulfil a dream. At the same time one shouldn't postpone things, like Carl and Ellie did. Carl also learns that it's better to include and be friendly than cold and grumpy, how important it is to keep a promise, and that our idols aren't always what we think. As well as this the movie has a clear message about the environment. The filmmakers illustrate in a good way that wild and beautiful animals shouldn't be caught and shown as trophies, but rather be left to live a free and natural life in the wilderness.

Suitability
"Up" has a "U" rating, but parents should be aware that the film contains a variety of scary scenes with threatening dogs. For this reason parents should show caution in letting children under the age of seven see this film. For everyone else, "Up" comes highly recommended.

Conclusion
All in all, "Up" looks like one of the year's best family films.

Facts
Director: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson Genre: Comedy/Animation/Family Language: English Nationality: USA Production Company: Disney/Pixar Length: 1 hour 46 mins Production Year: 2009 Age Limit: U Suitability: Family BBFC's Consumer Advice: Contains mild threat