Up Review

Leave it to Disney to make lovable characters out of a hunchback, a beast, a lying puppet, a robot, and a rat. And now, a crusty old man and a chubby scout. The previews of Up were very amusing, and I knew like most Disney films it would be good, but I had no idea how fulfilling of an experience it would be. It was very dark at times, along with being funny, and the warmth that poured through was amazing. 

We meet Carl Fredricksen (Jeremy Leary, Edward Asner) as a young boy, enchanted with aviation and balloons to the point of wearing goggles and an aviator's helmet. He's lucky enough to meet a quirky girl, Ellie (Elie Docter) who shares all his dreams. She makes him promise to take her to Paradise Falls in South America someday, tells him to cross his heart, then bestows on him a badge, a grape soda cap with a safety pin. They grow up together and get married, saving their money for that trip, but never quite make it, before she passes away. (I told you it was dark!)

A construction crew wants to knock down Carl's house, but he resists, refusing to sell. After the ensuing argument, they try to force him into a retirement home. He has another idea, using his years of love for aviation to set sail in his home, as he sees his house as his last connection to his wife. (Again, I told it was dark!) What Carl doesn't know is that he has a stowaway, a young Wilderness Scout from Tribe 54, Russell (Jordan Nagai). He's been after Carl to allow him to help the older man cross a street or something to earn his last badge, Assisting the Elderly.

Carl and Russell (or as the pack of dogs call them, the small mailman and the one that smells like prunes) have quite the adventure, landing in a place that has talking dogs (Squirrel!), a colorful bird called Kevin, and a childhood hero who suddenly isn't what he once seemed. 

This kept me interested from the beginning with the little boy in the aviator helmet and glasses, all the way to the end with the geriatric fight. Of course, it's Disney, so there's a message at the end, with this one being what's really important in life. Up had me feeling, thinking, and even laughing. It had its serious dark moments about life, created lasting relationships as well as paid homage to ones that needed to be laid to rest, and had the typical Disney humor that we always love. This one's a keeper.