Up UP and away!

SUMMARY

On our fourth meeting, we decided to watch Disney Pixar’s UP. UP is a story of adventure starring a 78-year old man named Carl Fredricksen and a young hyperactive wilderness explorer named Russell. Together they face hilarious and often dangerous adventure through the mysterious lands of South America.

The Poster

THE ACTORS

Carl Fredricksen (Edward Asner)

Why is this so cute

Ellie (Ellie Docter)

Charles F. Muntz (Christopher Plummer)

Very Bond-esque Mr Plummer

Russell (Jordan Nagai)

WHY is this SO CUTE

Kevin (caawcawww)

Dug (Bob Peterson)

He does both voices

THE STORY

The story begins with the little Carl Fredericksen meeting his soon-to-be wife Ellie in an abandoned house. Carl wanted to get Ellie’s balloon back but hurt himself instead. They became friends and got married as adults. Isn’t that the sweetest, littlest, cutest thing ever?

Carl and Ellie bought the house where they met each other and worked together at a zoo. They wanted to have children but sadly Ellie couldn’t get pregnant. The couple wanted to live far far away, which is Paradise Falls in Venezuela. They even saved money to go there, but life happens and they had to spend it every time. Carl had promised Ellie as children to bring her there one day, but Ellie left him before he could fulfil that promise. She left him her ‘Adventure Book’ which is supposed to be filled with all the adventures they had and will have together. 

This... I love this. I must cry every time I watch this part. It is just too sad, too sweet and my heart can handle all these feels.

After Ellie passed away, Carl became this lonely, grumpy old man who is ignored by his neighbours, even as development crept into his neighbourhood. Carl refuses to sell his house filled with memories of him and Ellie. An incident with the contractor forced him to relocate to a pension house, but he got other plans. He filled up thousands of balloon to pull his house up. The house is flying! This scene is magical, with all the colours of the balloon flying through the grey urban skyline; it is something out of a dream.

Thousands of feet in the sky, he heard a knock on the door. Who could it be? It’s Russell, the young wilderness explorer who went searching for a ‘snipe’ and accidentally went up with the house. Carl and Russell faced a lot of hardships together through the wild forest of Venezuela until they met a huge bird (which Russell named Kevin) and a talking dog called Dug.

Carl even met his childhood hero, Charles F Muntz who had gone missing searching for a species of rare-mysterious bird which happens to be Kevin. He intends to bring Kevin back to bring back his honour after being humiliated by the archaeological society.

A conflict between Carl and Russell made them go separate ways. Carl read Ellie’s Adventure Book and found that she wanted him to move on and urges him to have his own adventure from now on. Carl then rushes to save Russell.

A battle in the sky occurred between two old men, Carl and Charles. Which is hilarious to watch because their backbone keep cracking and they are fighting with their walking sticks.

*cracking bones*

In the end, the house ends up in Paradise Falls, Kevin (who is actually a female bird) was sent to safety, and Carl and Russell became best friends. Everyone is happy. Happiness all over. It’s just too cute.

WHO’D WATCH THIS FILM

This film is for everyone especially children, but adults will enjoy it too. Kids will love the vibrant colour and fantastic animation, and the talking dogs. But adults will love the theme of family bond and especially the story of Carl and Ellie, which is just so very touching.

DO WE LIKE IT

Yes and yes. Because it is interesting, funny, touching and there are a lot of fantastic things happening in this movie. This movie tells a better love story in 20 minutes compared to other movies. The reality of life like losing loved ones and parents not spending enough time with their children are well presented in this movie. Carl is devastated when Ellie’s gone. Thus, he try to fulfil his last promise to Ellie to move to Paradise Falls, without realizing that he will have a whole new adventure with Russell, conveying a moral that our connection with others is what makes life meaningful. We give it 4 out of 5 stars.

WHAT KIND OF SPOILERS

The famous heroic explorer from Carl’s childhood became a villain. I wonder how old he is, seeing as Carl is 78, add up 25 years minimum... Is he more than 100 years old? Wow.

And the house got to Paradise Falls, as promised. :’)

WHAT I LEARN FROM THIS

It is important to be as helpful as you can to others. Russell is a good example of this, even as a kid, even childishly he knows to be kind towards others. Even towards animals.

Then, we need love in our life. Love made Carl happy and without love he is left empty. That’s a sad way to put it, eh? But love is important in life. Russell’s mother is a single-mother and his father left with another woman. Russell does not show any signs of being unhappy but it is hard for a boy to grow up without a father figure.

And finally, we need to appreciate what we have now rather than lingering on happiness of the past. We should not be sad that the past had passed, but we should be happy that it had happened.

Anyways, GO DISNEY GO PIXAR I love animations yay!

Can't wait for your next masterpiece!