REELGUY'S DVD REVIEW:
Pixar's "Up" awe-inspiring, humorous and heartfelt
Maine Connection: There are plenty of worthwhile opportunities to interact with seniors in your local community in the state of Maine. Agencies on Aging like EAAA in Bangor often welcome volunteers to assist the staff in providing services to seniors. The Foster Grandparent's Program at Penquis allows senior citizens to mentor schoolchildren, to both parties' benefit. Contact information can be found online at www.eaaa.org and www.penquis.org or in your local phone book.
Pixar studios proves once again that it can tell a beautiful, enrapturing story using any main characters they can imagine. Pixar used fish, toys, robots, and a rat as the protagonists in prior films. That makes the odd couple pairing of an elderly man and a boy scout on a fantastical adventure unsurprising. "Up" is exciting, awe-inspiring, humorous, and heartfelt. The film delves into the minds of elderly people, who must live with the loss of loved ones and their own dwindling mortality. The story is not only somber but uplifting, showing that a new personal connection can improve the quality of life of both the senior and their new friend.
Carl Fredricksen (the voice of Ed Asner; "Elf") lived a full and wonderful life with his exploration-minded wife. After she takes seriously ill, it looks as though the two will never be able to explore the part of the world that originally drew them together as children. Carl comes up with a unique solution that will take his house with him on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. What he didn't expect was a unintentional stowaway named Russell, a boy scout simply looking to earn his "helping the elderly" badge.
Whether the visuals or the story came first doesn't matter because both get equal loving treatment. Pixar films are beyond beautiful to look at; the use of colors in the characters and scenery is inspired. The geniuses at Pixar make the storytelling look easy with a simple story metamorphosising into an incredibly compelling adventure tale. The idea of giving the dogs talking collars may have seemed simple enough in the concept stage but the dialogue of the animals in the film is rich with wittiness. The heroes of "UP" would not seem to lend themselves to adventure storytelling but Carl and Russell prove capable in their breathtaking exploits. I loved this movie and was almost ready to watch it again once it was over.
There are few films that children will want to watch with their grandparents. "Up" proves itself to be one of those films. The movie respectfully explores the life of one elderly man and shows him to be a figure to admire not pity. Though the movie has some somber moments, it is more about how someone can take sadness and turn it into opportunity. Who knew cartoons could teach us life lessons including reminding us to respect our elders? Pixar knew.
Rated PG for some peril and action.
