I saw Up for the 2nd time at a midnight showing. I have yet to see the short: Partly Cloudy, which means I will most definitely be going to see this movie a third time.
I'm not sure where this movie stands yet as far as my favorite Pixar films, but I know it's near the top. Every time they make a new movie Pixar does a good job of trying to raise the bar for themselves. I feel that they've done it again. I felt that this film was the most depressing of their movies... and I don't think it's a bad thing. The first 12 minutes or so were beautifully done... perfectly encapsulating the relationship of Ellie and Carl. They give you just enough information about Ellie so when Carl is left alone you really feel for him.
The scene where Carl finally gets the house to Paradise Falls and looks through the Adventure Book was the scene that almost made me cry though... I teared up a few places in the film, but I really thought I was going to cry at this point. You really do forget that these are animated characters, the nature of human emotion was portrayed well in this film.
Also, when Muntz tried to light Carl's house on fire... I involuntarily muttered "Holy shit!" under my breath. I tensed up and everything, I can't remember the last time I caught myself off guard reacting to a movie like that.
The humor was well done in this film, though I wouldn't say that this is Pixar's funniest. I really don't know what movie I would give that to as all of their films seem to have a good balance of humor according to plot.
My one complaint with this movie is that it felt like it went by too quick... it felt short and left me wanting more! This is probably a good thing, but I wish it had been maybe 15 minutes longer or so, it just felt like the plot moved along so quickly. I think the main point that made me feel this way was when Carl and Russel eat in the Spirit of Adventure, and Muntz goes from being amiable to suddenly becoming an antagonist. It seemed like there should have been a little more time to establish Muntz as a friend to make his shift feel like more of a shock for Carl. There's too much good in this movie for me to let that bother me too much though.
The music was also well done, I liked the old-timey feel, like 30's-40's brass, and the main theme that popped up now and then was perfectly chosen to remind the audience of earlier points in Carl's life. I've really come to enjoy Michael Giacchino's work in film though. His theme for Star Trek was awesome, his score for the Incredibles and Ratatouille was amazing.
I really wish I could have seen Partly Cloudy, but maybe soon. I left this movie feeling bittersweet... kind of empty, probably because I went alone to both showings. But I did thoroughly enjoy the film. What did you guys think?In reply to PsychoAngel, #2:
Also my Mom just called me and was all like "Why didn't you warn me that the movie was so emotional?!" Apparently she bawled her eyes out.... her and her friend. She got to see the short too, from what she said it was really cute, and hilarious. I need to go see it again!
Also that 4th option on the poll is supposed to read "It wasn't that great..." but I don't know why it changed from preview to post... also the "In reply to Psycho Angel, #2:" was gone in preview...
I haven't heard anything about whether or not kids enjoy this movie as much as the adults have been. Anyone with kids have input?
The beginning destroyed me, I am not usually one to cry but this just got through all my defenses. Coming out of the movie there was this one guy trying to play the Macho Man acting like the movie didn't get to him. He was talking crap about all the other guys in the movie being pussies for crying, and then his girlfriend/wife called him out and announced he had his head in her shoulder a few times in the movie balling like a baby.
Even though this movie made me cry I really enjoyed it and have to say my favorite character was Doug "Uhhhh Point!". Anyone else laugh at the Star War reference?
I was also caught off guard by how emotional I got over the two really touching scenes in the movie. I rarely ever cry at movies (I think I did once at The Notebook) but my chin was wobbling uncontrollably when Carl looks through the adventure book and sees the pictures Ellie put in there. Great movie; I wouldn't mind seeing it again in the theater. I saw it in 3D and would probably see it in 3D again. Did anyone prefer it non-3D?
I am not a huge fan of 3-D, mainly because it gives me a bitching headache, but it does add the the effect of scenic things in the movie, like the release of the balloons from his house looked great
A really cute movie, I'd say. I definitely cried like a baby in the beginning. And I was surprised how vicious that bad guy was (don't recall his name). But I loved Kevin and now I want a Russell and some of Kevin's babies for myself cuz they're so cute. The only part I found a little off was when they went through to storm and magically ended up right where they were supposed to. Although Russell said he took them there... it seemed a little convenient but necessary for the movie I'm sure. Two thumbs up from me!
I'm not entirely sure that article sold me on their headline. While I didn't get as much emotion from Wall-E as I did from that first scene in Up or even later on when Carl is flipping through the Adventure Book, I just think I cared for Wall-E as a character much more. It could have been their juxtaposing the trash the world had become with the simple, quizical robot that made more feel for him but toward the end when he needs repair, even though I knew everything was going to be fine, I found myself worried. I think Pixar needed that exercise in Wall-E before they could create anything as emotional as Up.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's their second best movie but there were just things about it that I didn't care for like the lead bad dog voice bit. Although it was funny the first time, it felt forced as they kept going with it. Again nothing big just small things.
I was surprised that it addressed such heavy issues such as inability to have kids, absent fathers, disillusionment of your heroes. I went expecting it to be a lighthearted movie but it totally blew my expectations of Pixar out of the water. Can't wait for Toy Story 3
