Review of Up (2009) by Kenneth H — 07 Apr 2013

The first ten minutes or so of this movie, depicting Carl's and Ellie's relationship, is one of the most beautiful and emotionally touching love stories I have ever seen in film. (Though, I imagine that its impact is strongest for those who have experienced romantic love.) If that segment was its own short film I would give it five stars and an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Alas, there had to be a rest of the movie, and it steadily degrades in quality. The rest of the film is not bad, but the main plot revolving around Carl, Russell, Charles Muntz, the dog, and the bird is silly at best and at times boring, nonsensical, and depressing (The whole time I really wanted to see Carl succeed in getting his house to Paradise Falls and while he's ultimately successful, I don't think he knows that.). It doesn't help that I find every character besides Carl to be really annoying. My favorite part of the rest of the movie is when Carl is going through Ellie's scrapbook and finds pictures from their time together - once again, it's Carl's and Ellie's relationship that I find to be compelling.

I understand and appreciate that the movie is trying to make points about moving on and not living in the past, as well as about finding value in relationships with other people. I just think the plot could've been a lot better.