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REVIEW: Pixar releases new film

Jonathan Gardner

Special to the Independent Tribune

Published: June 3, 2009

By now, it shouldn't take 800 words to convince you see "Up." It should take one: Pixar.

It's been 14 years since the release of "Toy Story" and in that time, Pixar have turned into expert dream weavers and technical wizards. Their mastery of story and offbeat sense of humor have resulted in a run of classic children's films that don't condescend to youngsters.

"Up" continues that streak, using its simple yet evocative title and its striking central image — a house suspended in the air — to draw out an old-school sense of whimsy and adventure without forgetting the heart and lumping on a heaping dose of pathos.
After the stunner of an opening, "Up" details the escape of the elderly Carl Friedrickson, who ties thousands of his balloons to his house to fulfill a 70-year promise to his departed wife to go to Paradise Falls in South America.

Along for the ride is Russell, a Wilderness Explorer in need of his "Assisting the Elderly" badge. The two get more than they bargained for when they make it there and happen upon a strange and exotic bird, talking dogs and an old adventurer and hero of Carl's.

Visually, like all Pixar movies, "Up" is a stunner. The colors pop off the screen and the rendering of the South American landscape is incredible. But what's especially noteworthy is director Pete Docter's brilliant, recurrent use of circles and squares. Everything from the character design and the scenery to tiny props and costumes reflect this motif, based around the roundness of the balloons and the squareness of Carl.

The meticulous visual rhyming reflects the level of detail and sophistication that Pixar puts into their films. Looking at the imitators, the Dreamworks of the world, its clear that no one else puts as much work into making their pictures look as stunning at the animators at Pixar do.

But of course, all of that would be meaningless were there not a compelling story to tie it together, but Pixar's already two steps ahead of you.

Remember that stunning opener I mentioned? Well, prepare to be completely and utterly decimated by a cartoon. Again. It's not what you expect to see in a kids' movie, but the beginning sequence is moving and heartbreaking and emotionally propels what follows.

The film works thanks mainly to Carl, the grumpy old man at the center. Ed Asner, doing the voice, gets at the softness of Carl while also putting in some hilarious work at capturing his gruffer moments.

The character design — short, boxlike, grimace — is perfect.

His partner-in-adventure, Russell, is round and balloon-like (in an interview, Pete Doctor has pointed out that Russell kind of looks like the child that Ellie and Carl never had). Ultimately, like "Toy Story," "Monsters Inc.," and "Ratatouille" before it, "Up" is a buddy movie as Russell and Carl's friendship bring each other out of their funks and help them rediscover their spirit of adventure.

If you've seen the movie, you're probably wondering why its taken me so long to get to the inspired comic relief for the film: Dug the talking dog.

Honestly, when I saw a talking dog in the trailer, a tiny warning sensor went up, but I'm pleased to say that Doctor and the team found a quirky, wildly amusing way to introduce a talking dog to the proceedings.

And not only is there humor, but also a few excellent action sequences (including one awesome fight scene between some very old people).

In passing, I should also mention that composer Michael Giacchino has now made the two most sweeping and exciting scores of the year (this and "Star Trek").

Now, if you'll excuse the film nerd moment, a quick note about dimensions. I saw the movie in 2D (I think Concord Mills may have been dealing with some angry 3D enthusiasts, considering the many signs posted around the ticket booth informing customers that they had no 3D showings).

However, there are no paddleballs or noisemakers in "Up," and the film makes perfect sense in 2D.

Whenever Hollywood feels threatened by the ease and comfort of home entertainment, they always try to fight back with bigger screens and more dimensions. Thus the proliferation of IMAX and 3D. I don't know if it's just a phase that will pass or the start of something bigger, but I do know that I've still not seen a great movie that is only great in 3D and, while I didn't have a pair of plastic glasses to take home, I don't think my "Up" experience was any shallower because it was minus one dimension.

If I have to criticize this movie, I'd have to point out that, from an emotional and a rhythmic standpoint, the film does seem a little familiar. And the adventure, while fun, lacks the poignant beauty of the start or the sheer whimsy of the scene where the house actually takes flight.

But these are minor complaints that really only stand out under the glaring spotlight shining from "WALL-E." Up still stands in the upper echelon of Pixar films, and will almost certainly be in the conversation for the year's best. Pixar's streak of amazing films is now in the double digits and, like "Up's" octogenarian hero, they're not slowing down any time soon.