‘Up’ Open Thread

Just got back from seeing it with my husband and daughters (6/3) and we are still talking about it. Amazing story and so beautiful to watch. The 3-D experience made it better for me unlike recent films where I feel like I'm getting a headache. I will need to see it again before I claim it as my favorite Pixar film but I really think that is just an excuse to take my kids a second time.

Loved it as well, but I was howling during the short "Partly Cloudy"….Pixar's shorts before their features bring back the feeling of Tex Avery's best days.

I saw it in regular 2d and loved it. I brought quite a crew- 2 seventh grade boys, 5 fifth grande girls and 3 second grade girls… they all LOVED it.

They all thought it was quite sad in parts… one of the boys even said he got choked up (but didn't cry! – he is 13 after all). The girls all said they cried.

I want a dog like Doug.

Eating ice cream after the movie I asked what the kids thought the message of the movie was. They had a variety of answers… "stuff isn't that important", "Be nice to old people", "Don't look up to famous people", "be sad when someone dies but then go live your life" (that from a girl who just lost a family member). I think there were lots of good messages in the movie, but one of the boys thought there were too many plots.

It was very exciting and there were parts where I was on the edge of my seat. The little girls were very nervous but they assured me they were never really scared.

Why can't movie studios take a lesson at how to create stories that are not vulgar, disgusting, cringe-worthy, etc?
Bravo to Pixar for creating beautiful touching stories that last a lifetime. This film, as well as all Pixar films, have that quality of Old Hollywood, where the content is so critical. Something for all audiences.
To me, the studio that is on par with Pixar is Studio Ghibli. Mr. Nolte, if it's not much to ask, will you do a post in the future on Studio Ghibli flicks? I know Pixar has been inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's work.
Great review on the movie BTW!

I took my 9 year-old to see the regular version today, and it was just stunning. John wasn't kidding that it should be considered for Best Picture. I recently saw The Wrestler and Slumdog, and don't think either were in Up's league (plus they were both so painfully depressing).

My favorite moments were the hilarious vignette preceding it, the beautiful story of Carl & Ellie's lives, and the Kevin saying goodbye to all three with their own personalized version (the one to Doug almost made me pee my pants). The first 3/4 made me laugh more than any movie I've seen in years. I can't wait to go back and see it in 3-D.

I must admit, I had no desire to see this movie, however, after reading John's review and reading many of the comments…I have to see it now! I think I'll wait until my lovely wife gets back in town next week and go with her.

The fact that John is going back for a second look tomorrow tells me this could be something special.

Thanks all.

Maybe it's the fact that I've lost loved ones in the recent past. Maybe it was because I was expecting something entirely different and more lighthearted, but this film didn't appeal to me at all.

The story's promise for me was in the compelling relationship between Carl and Elle. It spends enough development time to make you really care about the couple. One wishes that the entire movie could have been centered about their adventures. Instead, at the end of the first act, she's dead. So now you've got the movie's emotional nadir. Unfortunately, the film doesn't hit an emotional high point until the end and it's not all that high. So what we're left with in the middle is the anti-climatic adventures of a crippled old man and a boy wilderness scout saving an endangered species from the cliche "Great White Hunter" bad guy with some moderately funny jokes thrown in to keep the mood from hitting the floor like a leaky balloon. Ugh.

Loved the movie. All the other animation studios need to just give up and let Pixar own the field. e.g "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" looks horrible. What surprised me was that the 3D was so smooth that you forgot it was there and just enjoyed the story.
BTW. Fenton's Creamery is real and their Black and Tan Sundae is the best ice cream I have ever put in my mouth.

Russ Meyers is smiling right now.

This was simply astonishing.

The film was perfection in almost every way.

Well put John.

Such a brilliant and beautifully done message. I want to take my mom to see it but, sadly, I don't think I can get her out of the house – it's so heartbreaking to see a person dwell in the past like the way Carl was stuck.

I'll admit it, I cried more than once in this film… and it wasn't due to the 3d glasses.

I want to see it again too… this time give the regular 2D a whirl.

I think this is a film that won't have the same appeal to the kindergarten and younger crowd… In many ways, I feel like adults might be ones getting the most out of this film.

But that's what's always been great about Pixar movies.

it was violent in a sort of stupid way, and having ellie lose a baby? really ? in a kid's movie?

Who says she lost a baby? Unless I missed something, the doctor was telling her she couldn't have children. It begs the question of why two such well-adjusted, loving people didn't adopt, but I find it hard to believe that 10 second conversation in the doctor's office (with no audio) would disturb anyone.

I also didn't see any violence that was disturbing. One dog bit the bird's leg, but that was about it. A silly sword vs cane battle, and the villain being a little too crazy, but nothing compared to Iron Giant, The Incredibles, or Monsters Inc. My 9 year-old was thrilled (and I didn't see a single kid in the packed theater that looked or sounded anything but ecstatic), and that's all I can judge it by. If this movie upset your child, then there are very few that they could possibly watch.

Pixar has long given lie to the idea that animated = "kids." This is a studio that does not condescend to its audience. The opening montage featuring Ellie and Carl's life together was brilliant and poignant. It manages to speak to adults without necessarily alienating kids. Few children under the age of 13 will understand what that brief shot of the doctor's office meant — it flew right over my 7-year-old's head — but every adult in the audience I was in last night said, "Oh!" Deftly handled, I thought.

Best major release since "The Dark Knight."

Pixar is on a roll, hopefully no sequelitis when the studio begins cranking out "Cars 2" and "Toy Story 3."

Saw it with a theater full of kids this afternoon, speaking anecdotaly, that appeared to have enjoyed it immensely.

More heart in those tiny, little pixels than most releases of the flesh and blood variety. The magic keeps coming.

I will second (third?) the call to review some Studio Ghibli stuff. Anime and Manga are a great way to get entertainment that is outside the Hollywood PC bubble. Likewise I'd love to see some more focus on Bollywood as well. I'm not familiar with it at all and some good recommendations would help me out. (hint hint prod prod).

The opening sequence of Carl and Ellie's courtship and marriage was just beautiful… it was a wonderful example of what animation can do.