MOVIE REVIEW: Up
By Megan Carroll
With the holidays just around the corner, we’re all trying to save our pennies, so in the spirit of things I decided to cruise downtown to the $1.00 kiosk and see what I could find. There was a pretty good selection of films there and I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Up in stock! This animated film was on my must see list, but I never got around to seeing it.
Hands down, Up is one of these best animated films of the year and is packed with family fun for everyone.
The film is a Disney-Pixar comedy-adventure about an elderly balloon salesman, Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner), who finally fulfills his and his wife’s lifelong dream—participating in a great adventure where he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away into the “wild blue” floating over the untamed jungles of South America. What he doesn’t know is that he has floated away with a lot more than just his house. He has a stow-away aboard in the form of a rambunctious eight-year-old named Russell (Jordan Nagai). The unlikely pair go on a hilarious journey together.
With films like Up it is no surprise Oscar has expanded their animated film roster this year. Up has everything including an exceptional plot, great voice actors and is visually stunning; pure perfection! I hope this film vies for top honors at the awards.
When it comes down to it, the storytelling is what captured my attention and would be most appreciated by any adult who has read stories to their children. The plot is plausible and the first 30 minutes of the film is some of the finest storytelling I have had the pleasure of hearing or seeing. The beginning montage transports you into the lives of Carl and his wife Ellie and is beautiful, funny and heart-breaking. Filled with surprise and intrigue, it tells a timeless tale of adventure and aging that touches on every emotion. One moment I was crying and the next laughing hysterically.
It is an incredible story that will make good family time viewing at home over the holidays. So if you are looking for the next WALL-E, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc. or Toy Story, Up is the film for you and your family!
