Pixar has had such a long string of successes, in fact an unprecedented string of successes, that whenever a new film comes out from them I get a little worried. I worry that this time the movie is going to be flop. After all, the law of averages dictates that sooner or later Pixar is going to do something wrong, sooner or later they’re going to make a movie that people won’t like. I know that seems far-fetched, but it has to happen some time (and no, I don’t think Cars counts). So now their new movie Up is out, and I couldn’t help but worry that maybe this time Pixar came up with an idea that wouldn’t work: an old guy in a flying house. Much to my relief and astonishment, however, Pixar has once again crafted a brilliant, funny, moving story full of engaging characters; in short, they’ve hit yet another home run and their record of success is sure to stay intact.
The most surprising thing about Up for me was just how adult it was. That’s not to say that kids won’t like, because they will (I saw it in a theater full of kids and they seemed to love it). However, Pixar once again defines what a CG animated film can accomplish by filling Up with very mature, and dare I even say dark, themes. This is a movie that examines our struggles with loss: the loss of a loved one, the loss caused by death, the loss of a dream, the loss of purpose. The first twenty minutes or so of the movie is a brilliant montage lacking any dialogue but packed with heartfelt emotion. It sets the darker undertones for the film and immediately sucked me into the life of one Carl Fredricksen.
Part of what makes Up work so well on a emotional level is Pixar’s amazing use of CG animation. More than any CG film I’ve seen, Pixar has imbued life into these characters. The range of emotion that’s subtly displayed on the characters’ faces is truly astounding. It’s why the opening montage is so powerful even without any dialogue: you recognize the emotions on the characters faces because you’ve seen them on the faces of the people around you, and on your own. More than any of the razzle-dazzle effects of Up, this is the technological achievement that I noticed most. Despite the fact that the characters are very much cartoon caricatures, the emotions displayed on their faces even with slightest movement is so very real that you can’t help but connect with what they’re feeling.
Now, I don’t want to give the impression that this film is some emotional downer; nothing could be further from the truth. Up is a fun, engaging, and truly funny film. While Pixar’s competitors are content to go for the lowest common denominator when it comes to humor, Pixar sets the standard for smart comedy that can appeal to young and old. Up features classic cartoon gags taken straight from Looney Tunes and smart inside jokes that rival those seen on Futurama. Up is also filled with plenty of exciting moments as well. As the movie itself states, “Adventure is out there (thumbs up)!”
Speaking of adventure being out there, more than anything, Up is really about living life. It encourages us to get out and live life well, and to not let precious moments slip away from us unnoticed, to not let any pages of our lives go unfilled. It’s far too easy to let life slip away only to look back a life filled of what-ifs and if-onlys, a life filled with unfulfilled events and moments that were not seized. I know all too well how busy life can be, and how the immediate things often choke out the important things, or how the unexpected things can delay the truly precious things. However, we don’t need to let our lives get swept away by the immediate and mundane. If we choose, we can seize the precious and important moments and truly savor the life we’ve been blessed with.
That is, in fact, why Jesus Christ came to this earth. As he so eloquently put it “The thief only comes to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). There are so many thieves in our lives that will steal away moments, kill our joy and happiness, and destroy our hope and optimism. However, Jesus Christ can give us a new life, one filled with purpose and hope and joy and so much more: a life filled with adventure and excitement, challenges and growth. Better yet, Jesus can give us a life that never ends. Through Christ, we can enjoy an eternity of adventure and joy, truly a full life and a life fulfilled. Up suggests that we only have so much time to really enjoy life, and so we must get out there and do so while we still can. That’s true; we should do that. But because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can not only make the most of this life, but also of the life to come in eternity.
One other note worth mentioning about Up: my screening wasn’t a 3D screening, but this is such a rich-looking movie that I’m sure it’ll be spectacular in 3D. Plus, from what I saw, there are plenty of “wow” moments for 3D viewers, so if you get the chance, catch Up in 3D.
What I like best about Pixar is that they’re willing to take chances; they’re willing to push what one can do with CG animation and the types of stories one can tell with that medium. Up is yet another bold experiment. Instead of standard heroes and heroines, we have Carl Fredricksen (voiced brilliantly by Ed Asner) an old guy with a grumpy disposition and Russell, a portly kid Wilderness Explorer who’s never really explored the wilderness. The villain is yet another senior citizen. Who would ever think of having a couple of old guys as the main characters of a “kids” movie? Only Pixar, and they make it work wonderfully. Add to that the idea of a flying house, a wacky bird, a talking dog… all of which might clumsily make for a slightly entertaining film in lesser hands, but in the hands of Pixar it becomes a brilliantly executed adventure filled with excitement and heart. And if that wasn’t enough, Pixar adds very mature, and as I said dark, themes to this mix and yet somehow is able to keep this film a fun experience for young and old alike. In short, Up is yet another amazing accomplishment from Pixar: master storytellers, master animators, and the masters of crafting thoughtful movies everyone can enjoy.
Uhh… just in case you didn’t quite get my point; go see Up. Take everyone in your family for this is a movie the whole family can truly enjoy.
