Disney/Pixar's UP

[XZero]

Anyone see this yet?

Not going to post any spoilers, but my god the beginning is ridiculously depressing. Other than that, excellent movie. It had plenty of great references (dogs playing poker, for instance, plus an obvious Star Wars reference), and it was insanely beautiful. Clothing, wood, balloons ... everything was extremely detailed. I'm not sure I liked it as much as I did Wall-E or some of the other films from Pixar, but overall, UP was very satisfying. It was noticeably more adult than other Pixar films, and I think (though I may be wrong about this) it was the first Pixar film to ever actually have blood. Either way, great movie. Highly recommended.

[Overflow]

Did you go see it in 3D? I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

[SoulinEther]

UP... was noticeably more adult than other Pixar films...

I think so too... there were many allusions and mature concepts/themes presented that are beyond the minds (and interests) of the youngest audience. Growing old and death are two obvious ones.

It had 3D. I had to pay 3 dollars extra because my theater was only showing it in 3D... grumble...

[Hemophiliac]

I work at a movie theatre where we have it both in 2d and 3d.

I keep hearing the same sentiments as the OP. Beginning is depressing.

our theatre only charges $2 extra for 3d showings. :P

[XZero]

Did you go see it in 3D? I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

I saw it in 2D. Saved $9 ($3/person), and I really didn't want to sit there with 3D glasses on the whole time. If anyone sees it in 3D or has seen it in 3D, let me know how it was.

[Toadofsky]

It was good in 3d, but it wasn't as prominent as it was in Monster Vs. Aliens, the backgrounds had more depth to them, because of the 3D, but overall, I'd say save your money, it's not worth paying extra to see it in 3D.

But the film itself was very good. Had a good premise, sad beginning, but was an enjoyable film overall. Dug and Kevin made it even better.

[Guy In Rubber Suit]

I saw it a second time in 3D and that was definitely not worth the extra money. 3D is still too gimmicky to spend the extra money on.

This movie is the reason why Pixar will continue to dominate CG animation. Their movies have heart and soul and characters who you care about. I enjoyed the adult themes in there. They did make me a bit teary eyed but that added to the overall character development. Overall a very sweet, charming and hilarious movie that must be seen.

However the short in the beginning is funny it's not as memorable as the other Pixar shorts.

[DarkeSword]

It's not depressing. It's sad, but it's not depressing.

[Lotd2242]

It's not depressing. It's sad, but it's not depressing.

Agreed.

Pixar rarely disappoints. I enjoyed it though I liked Wall-E more. It is impressive how well they can create characters to which the viewer develops an emotional attachment. I only saw it in 2D because I didnt'see the point of seeing it in 3D.

[DarkeSword]

Oh, also, while the beginning is very sad, it's also very beautiful and touching.

[SoulinEther]

I don't have binocular vision so it was a waste of $3... more sad/depressing than the whole movie :(

edit: well, maybe I do have binocular vision, but I don't have stereopsis. I'm not sure if "have" is the right word. oh well.

[Sam Ascher-Weiss]

I cried a whole bunch

[Dr.Flintlock]

I'd argue the beginning was more heart-felt than it was depressing. Yes, it tackles a lot of major themes, but I'd have to say that the way its handled makes it one of those really neat montages you see in a film (In a way, it kinda reminded me of the montage used at the beginning for the Watchmen film). At the very least, I took the girlfriend to see it and she really enjoyed the little bits that showed Carl and Ellie together. You know how couples get when they see the elderly being all sweet to one another =P.

On another note, anyone ever seen The Rescuers Down Under? Because in many ways, Up seems to have paid a few serious homages to that particular classic.

McCleach and the Giant Eagle=<spoiler>Muntz and Kevin</spoiler>.

Either way, the movie definitely ranks up there as one of pixar's best I think. I liked it more than WALL-E, and I felt it was less preachy too.

As an aside, I saw a trailer for Princess and the Frog but heard some saw a trailer for Toy Story 3? Fact?

[SoulinEther]

but heard some saw a trailer for Toy Story 3? Fact?Fact. 2010... lol.

[I-n-j-i-n]

It's not depressing. It's sad, but it's not depressing.

I thought it was depressing -_-;

But the rest of the movie made it less so, I guess.

As for Wall-E, watching it again in TV movie channels and watching Kung Fu Panda.... I'm actually thinking Kung Fu Panda really deserved the animation award it got over Wall-E that year. Wall-E was great, but its plot made NO SENSE. Way too convenient plot devices and robots being evil for no reason?... okay.

[Lotd2242]

I thought it was depressing -_-;

But the rest of the movie made it less so, I guess.

As for Wall-E, watching it again in TV movie channels and watching Kung Fu Panda.... I'm actually thinking Kung Fu Panda really deserved the animation award it got over Wall-E that year. Wall-E was great, but its plot made NO SENSE. Way too convenient plot devices and robots being evil for no reason?... okay.

What robots being evil? You mean the ship's computer? He wasn't evil. He was following his programming/orders.

[Native Jovian]

He wasn't evil. He was following his programming/orders.
That excuse hasn't worked since Nuremberg.

[The Damned]

Did anyone see the short at their viewing? The theatre we went to didn't show it.

I feel cheated.

[sephfire]

I feel cheated.

That's because you were.

[The Damned]

I'm guessing it was awesome, then?

[Kiyosuki]

I wonder why the short isn't shown at every theater...

I thought this was a fun movie. Wall-E's still my favorite, but after such a borderline serious and surrealistic film like that it was nice to go for a comedy adventure.

Though that intro with Carl's entire life and Ellie passing, and it being implied that Russell has a pretty messed up family life...all set to a kind of bittersweet (But great) soundtrack were all pretty baawww worthy. It's got some undertones but that's why I love Pixar films. They're actually willing to have a kind of underlying dark thread like that even in a seemingly lighthearted comedy like this. It's what gives them broad appeal imo. Makes "both kids and adults can enjoy it" actually have meaning. Carl was one badass old man.

Alpha with that high pitched voice made me laugh more than it should've.

[XZero]

Alpha with that high pitched voice made me laugh more than it should've.

I wasn't expecting it the first time, so I just started laughing really hard. The lines were so over-the-top movie/anime villain stuff too, which was amazing.

As for the short, The Damned, I thought it was funny, if a bit generic. Nonetheless, I consider it part of the movie, and so I deem you officially cheated.

[Lotd2242]

That excuse hasn't worked since Nuremberg.

Not for people no, but they were not people. They were robots. One of the themes of the movie was that Wall-E and Eve and the other robots working with them expanded beyond their programming.

[The Damned]

As for the short, The Damned, I thought it was funny, if a bit generic. Nonetheless, I consider it part of the movie, and so I deem you officially cheated.
I KNEW IT! What utter cockfaggery!

[Lotd2242]

I KNEW IT! What utter cockfaggery!

I'm sorry I missed that you missed the short.

Yes, you were cheated. It was a great set up for the movie and quite amusing.

[sephfire]

Not only is Up the first movie to actually make me cry in a theater, it almost made me cry twice. Those first fifteen minutes are fantastic and heartbreaking all at the same time.

[TheHands]

I loved it. The beginning is sad, and the last scene almost brought back the same kind of sadness (bittersweet kinda shot), but the rest of the film was great. Made me smile and laugh out loud more than most movies.

I saw it in 3D, I'm glad that it wasn't used as an excuse to throw things in people's faces every scene. Coraline's 3D was better, but this was pretty good.

[Admiral_C]

Saw it tonight. Very well put together. It had a good blend of humor and serious moments. Once again, Pixar delivers.

[I-n-j-i-n]

What robots being evil? You mean the ship's computer? He wasn't evil. He was following his programming/orders.

Not exactly. It was following orders, but it was fighting the overrides. THAT was the Dick Cheney of robots right there.

[Emunator]

The first 15 minutes, as well as the scene where he was looking through the scrapbook were pretty much the best Pixar moments I've ever seen. Coupled with the beautiful music, I was on the verge of tears a couple times in the movie. It was very melancholy for a Pixar movie, but it was executed so well. The animations and textures were flawless, as well.


But the rest of the movie did absolutely nothing for me. Most of the gags felt kind of stale compared to what I've come to expect from Pixar, and the storyline itself just didn't entertain me much.

The first 15 minutes of the movie were so great, it gave me the impression that the whole movie would be more of an introspective, quiet film that carried more of an emotional impact, and I ended up disappointed because of those expectations I set. There was a lot of merit to the movie, but it just made me realize how much I'd love it if Pixar would make an entire movie with the same mood and tone as the first 15 minutes of Up, crossed with the lighter-hearted, but still low-key and personal opening scenes of Wall-E.

Obviously it's an unrealistic thing to expect, but I'd still like to see Pixar expand on the themes they introduced in the opening scenes of this movie and carry out that mood in a full-length movie geared more towards adults.

[SoulinEther]

Obviously it's an unrealistic thing to expect, but I'd still like to see Pixar expand on the themes they introduced in the opening scenes of this movie and carry out that mood in a full-length movie geared more towards adults.

Such specificity.

[Lotd2242]

Not exactly. It was following orders, but it was fighting the overrides. THAT was the Dick Cheney of robots right there.

Overrides from people with lower authority. The order not to return to Earth came from the President.

[DJ Mighty]

I thought it was depressing -_-;

But the rest of the movie made it less so, I guess.

As for Wall-E, watching it again in TV movie channels and watching Kung Fu Panda.... I'm actually thinking Kung Fu Panda really deserved the animation award it got over Wall-E that year. Wall-E was great, but its plot made NO SENSE. Way too convenient plot devices and robots being evil for no reason?... okay.

Kung Fu Panda was a great movie. Smooth animation, funny & entertaining. The story though was very basic. The story kinda reminded me of Forbidden Kingdom. The chosen one learns Kun Fu in 3 days and saves the day, etc. etc.
Wall-E however has a much richer story with tons of emotion. On top of that it has very little dialogue. Animation wise it was more stunning. They really focused on depth perception and focus effects.
Dont get me wrong, i like Kung Fu Panda alot, but Wall-E def deserved Animation of the year.