Pixar’s depiction of Carl and Muntz is one of the factors that drives the film. Skillfully voiced by Ed Asner as Carl and Christopher Plummer as Muntz, they look on the screen like Spencer Tracy and Kirk Douglas. It lends a feel-good air of familiarity to the golden age of films with the iconic vision of Tracy as a sweet, but grumpy old man, and the menace of a towering Douglas, who could be both charming and threatening at the same time.
The 3-D effects also added to my enjoyment of the film. I was not annoyed in the least by having to wear the 3-D glasses, which had a sort of Elvis Costello feel to them. And I loved the feeling that I was viewing the film through the lens of a View-Master, a beloved, old childhood toy. The animation is beautifully colored and enhanced by the 3-D effect.
The few negative reviews that I have read about Up seem to be based on the fact that the beginning of the film is too sad and depressing for a typical Disney fantasy. I did not feel that at all. It is a realistic depiction of the truth of living. We grow up, we grow old, we face challenges, miss opportunities, forget dreams, and experience loss. But that is not all there is to growing older. We do not have to spend the end of our days looking backward. Carl realizes that life without Ellie does not mean an end to things he loves. He can have his memories but still create new dreams and adventures of his own. The relationship forged with Russell and Dug signifies a new beginning for Carl, and in the true Disney tradition, leave us all with a sense of hope for the future. This is a rare and welcomed feeling for anyone who may mistakenly feel that their best days are behind them and it is a moving lesson for all of us at any age.
Article comments
1 - logtar
Excellent movie, Excellent review. You are spot on! (squirrel)
2 - cindyc
Thank you. I loved this movie.
3 - Z. Nason
youre incredibly accurate with your desription of the film and were spot on, but why are you kind of cynical to the next generation? Because there are plenty of intelligent well minded kids. Plus every generation I believe autonomously argues that the next generation is one of more pride and arrogance through scientific, cultural, etc advancements. yeah every generation indeed does have it possibly much easier than the predecessor, but you seem to kind of just dislike younger people. Also, is it wrong for movies to have allusions to modern cultural Icons, addressed to a younger generation? Nonetheless you are a great movie reviewer and I think you were perfect at describing the movie.