Film Review - UP

Pixar/Disneys latest eye fiesta "Up" has been out in cinemas for a while but this Monkey finally felt that it was time to spend the big bucks and enjoy a 3D/Real D ride again. The big spenders in Hollywood have put a lot of cash into all things 3D, trying to ward off the pirates and UP is no exception. One of the prettiest of Pixar's films UP is a story of love, loss and friendship. Carl Fredricksen, the old man from all the promotional material, lives alone in a nameless big city. His wife, and love of his life Ellie recently passed away leaving Carl alone to reminisce about the how everyday life got in the way of their dreams of adventure they shared as children. Alone, Carl is about to be thrown out of his house when he grasps at his last chance for adventure and floats his home out of the city and into the depths of South America. Tagging along is young Wilderness Explorer Russel who gets caught up in Carl's escape and helps him along the way.

As with most Disney films, the side kicks are the most entertaining and "Up" follows the same line. Keven, a giant gay pride coloured bird and Dug, a rehashed mold for a talking dog, are by far the most entertaining part of the film. Kevin's hyperactivity and erratic ADD movements along with Dug's innocence and stupidity are highlights in this kid's movie. Carl's childhood hero and inspiration for the entire balloon jaunt, Charles F. Muntz, is sadly a 2 dimensional villain in this 3D feature. For a man who has lived in the jungle for years with talking dogs, a great scientific mind and a big mother of an air balloon, he hasn't really done much more then a Papier-mâché wall; maybe Mr Muntz found some special toads in the jungle and only got chasing after Kevin when it was the dry season. With a mixture of confusing ages (how old is this guy? 200?), flat voice acting and uninspired dialogue it's a shame Adventurer Muntz wasn't more of a character. It really makes him the film's weakest link but there are other reasons that this movie doesn't hit the mark.

Even though I enjoyed the lighter side of this sad story, walking out of the cinema I didn't feel fulfilled. My thoughts were that the ending was apt considering the set-up in the film, but the overall moral of "life is what you make it" felt flat and a little old hat. I'm used to more complex story arcs that really make me think about how I relate a character such as this and how his story in the film changes him for the better. I always knew that Carl would find happiness again. From the moment we were shown the "dream" of Ellie and Carl living atop a mountain I thought to myself "there's the final shot of the film" and I was right. The whole thing felt uninspired, much like most of Disney's animated films these days. Nothing really surprised me, and nothing really touched me other then the sadness of Carl's loss. Even though the visuals are some of the best in any Pixar film the envelope was never pushed. The 3D was cool but again there was nothing that really took advantage of the format like a so-so film like" Monsters V Aliens" did. Maybe this is what the Studios want with 3D but I was expecting some of the best 3D I've ever seen considering who made it. Sure, production of this beast is impressive and the characters are quite lovable but there seemed to be a spark missing overall from the picture.

On reflection, reading the film another way leaves thoughts of Pixar's own change under Disney, the promise of excitement may appear to be gone but even after death they will be back. I don't know; it sounds like a grand life after Disney's re-accusation for the famed animation house with the likes of 'the princesses and the frog' and that dammed Tinkerbell movie, but they show that they're premium animators even with the spark missing.

7/10