Currently my favorite animated film, I will readily admit that this one usually chokes me up. More than once.

Disney/Pixar's UP is, in my opinion, a masterpiece, beautiful on a number of levels. But behold, I getteth ahead of myself. (Be forewarned- I'm trying to be tactful, but I'm not afraid of spoiling plot points. :-)

The Worldview

The Good

UP is full of good stuff to admire. First and foremost on my list of refreshing worldview points is the portrayal of marriage, children, and family life as a good, fun, and enjoyable thing. How precious and how rare.

We also see in the scene with Mr. Fredricksen and Russell the breakdown of the family in the current generation- but instead of being shown as normative , it's shown as just that- a breakdown, and a sad one at that.

The moral of the film? Maybe that adventure isn't something "out there" that we have to go hunt down. Rather, we should find adventure in (insert my Christianity) obedience to God and in enjoying the life that He has given us.

We can also learn in a similar but separate vein that it is a waste to hold on to the past. Let us say with Job "The LORD giveth and The LORD hath taken away- blessed be The Name of The LORD!" There's a time for weeping, but then we must press on. Mr. Fredricksen does this in the film.

This film almost goes against the standard Disney "follow your dream" stuff. The beginning sets up for this dream of going to Paradise Falls, but by the end of the film that dream has been forsaken in favor of seizing the short time that God has given us to invest in real pursuits.

Ellie's a bit of a tomboy in the beginning, but as an adult, from the little we see, she's very feminine and modest.

And I just want to say again how much I loved the portrayal of family. You can see my favorite 4 minutes of the film here- it's kinda a spoiler, but I hope it will make you want to see the whole thing, if you haven't.

The Bad

There's one semi-crude moment. Something that isn't necessarily bad but is a stereotype that should be addressed and perhaps exposed is that again the woman has the energetic, go-getter personality, while the man (at first) is a shy introvert. I'd like to see more bold manhood and gentle, quiet womanhood (1 Pet. 3) modeled.

There may be some disrespect for the elderly- making jokes of things that happen in old age. However, it may be said that so much of good, clean humor is simply the exaggeration of stereotypes and common problems of any age group. They do it with kids, dogs- "point!"- and with the elderly. But we must be careful that we remain respectful of our elders- that must weigh in. (1 Peter 5:5) Also- this might have been my biggest issue with this film- we see a bit of a green-peacey leaning in that Muntz is the bad guy because he wants "the bird". But for a man to desire to capture a beast to clear his name isn't a bad thing- indeed, I would say it's a good thing! Take dominion! Now, Muntz has other character issues that make him truly a bad guy- but that's kinda the point. I'd like to see a good man taking dominion. Yes, he should be a righteous man who "regardeth the life of his beast", but that doesn't mean a man who never catches or kills animals. Beware these hints of environmentalism. Let us steward well the earth that God has entrusted us- because we fear and love and worship Him!- not steward the earth that created us because we fear and worship "Mother Nature".

The Art Most of it. The animation? It's Pixar. Some of it I found a bit simplistic compared to other animations, but it's beautiful overall.

The story? It's Pixar. Top-notch. It has been said that "story is king", and I love how Pixar films seem to consistently have a good story, insistently interesting and usually with a touch of sweetness. UP was no exception.

The music? It's excellent. Excellent. The perfect blend of just the right old-timey feel, sounding like something that would be played on a record player, and simply being downright beautiful. The music told the story excellently. Bittersweet, adventurous, small and lonely, bright and shining- and at home in all of 'em.

No comment. This was a beautiful film.

Like I said, Pixar's UP is my favorite animated film. It's beautiful artistically and refreshing theologically. I'd give it a 5/5, and highly recommend it. Posted by Gabriel Hudelson at 6:13 PM Rebekah said...

Good review! I'm pretty sure I agree with most of it.

One thing, as a point of reference: Muntz didn't want to hurt the bird... He wanted it in perfect condition when they got to the US. It was the mere capturing of an animal and what would happen to it's young when the mother was gone that got Russel going.

That's my favorite part of the film too. :)

To the KING be all the glory!

May 24, 2011 at 6:28 PM Oh! Thy second photograph is just coming up as a copyrght image on my computer... Just thought you might want to know. :)

May 24, 2011 at 6:30 PM BushMaid said...

Great review! I love this movie. It's so sweet and beautiful... I cried when I first watch it, and I continue to get teary every time I watch the ending. :D

Although I did think it got a bit too green peacey... I would have allowed him a photo of it, at least! :D

May 24, 2011 at 6:36 PM Aubrey Hansen said...

"It's Pixar."

Like. No further comment. Great, insightful, balanced review, as always.

May 24, 2011 at 8:22 PM Okay, changed my mind. I thought of something on the Muntz-dominion subject...

That is a very good point, and not something I noticed at first. However, thinking on it, at first Muntz' goal wasn't a problem. For the first half of the movie we think Muntz is a good guy. He inspired Carl, after all.

However, seconds after Carl realizes that Muntz is searching for Kevin (and the audience starts to go "Uh oh... Muntz is the bad guy..."), Muntz implies that he's been killing humans to keep them away from his bird.

That is decidedly wrong. Even if Muntz' goal wasn't sinful in and of itself, he was pursuing it in an extremely ungodly way. There is no question that murdering to find a bird is wickedness, and that makes Muntz' goal a sin to him.

Just thought I'd share.

May 24, 2011 at 8:45 PM Gabriel Hudelson said...

Absolutely. Can't disagree here. My issue (and I think we agree) is just that we again get the Evil Hunter Syndrome- ooh, another one for the list I'm cooking up... - sure, of course they give him evil traits, but ultimately I think we're mad at him because he wants to take Kevin. So, agreed, Muntz conduct in so many ways was deplorable, but the one that the film really appalls us with is one that isn't actually a bad thing. At least not of necessity.

May 24, 2011 at 8:58 PM I agree. :)

May 25, 2011 at 12:03 AM Oh yes, well said. I did notice that, and sometimes I wonder if we put a little bit too much weight on Kevin's life, as he is a bird... But I shan't get into the psychology of that. :) Thanks for the wonderful thoughts, Gabriel!

May 25, 2011 at 8:44 AM I think Kevin's a she. ;-)

And thank you likewise.

May 25, 2011 at 9:23 AM And thanks, Rebekah- I think it's fixed now.

May 25, 2011 at 2:23 PM "Her babies!! (beat) Kevin's a girl?!"

May 25, 2011 at 8:17 PM Film timers... they're incorrigible... ;-D

May 25, 2011 at 8:46 PM HA! That's all I have to say to that one. :)

May 26, 2011 at 9:46 AM It's fixed. You're welcome. :)

May 26, 2011 at 9:47 PM Women can be go-getters and still have gentle spirits. Like a Catholic patriarchal friend said, "The ambition of women got this country started". Sometimes husbands go far because of their wives' vision and energy.

May 28, 2011 at 7:58 PM Amen and amen, Jennifer. Totally agree.

May 28, 2011 at 9:05 PM Cool :)

May 29, 2011 at 7:02 PM Btw, if you liked "the King's Speech", you should try "The Queen". Totally classy and classic movie.

May 30, 2011 at 5:13 PM Gabriel Hudelson Subscribe by E-mail Subscribe by Something Else Resounding Music Fellow Warriors: Friday at Noon
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