Up (2009)


We continue Pixar week with one of Pixar's most critically acclaimed films, Up.

The Movie:

 Up is Pixar's 10th movie, and the third and final of its prestigious experimental films that were planned as potential post-Disney projects had the two companies parted ways.  It was the second animated film ever nominated for the Oscar for best picture, albeit part of an expanded field of nominees.  It did win Best Animated Feature at the Oscars.

Up tells the story of Carl Fredrickson, an elderly widower who, along with his wife Ellie, always dreamed of traveling to Paradise Falls in South America.  Determined to fulfill their dream, Carl lifts his entire house using balloons to travel.  However, he inadvertently brings along Russell, a young Wilderness Explorer who was just trying to earn his badge for assisting the elderly.

Ok, first off, the opening of this movie may just be the sadness opening to an animated film ever, if not any film.  In fact, the montage of Carl and Ellie's life, with no words and set only to music, could be a short film in and of itself.  And from that point, it could have been hard for Up to keep the emotional level going.  But in the end, the story has a wonderful arc and plenty of heart.  There's a reason it was loved by almost everybody, and although it isn't necessarily a personal favorite of mine, it's hard not to feel like you've just been on a marvelous journey when you finish the film.

The music is another masterpiece by Pixar favorite Michael Giacchino.  Giacchino won his first and only Oscar for this score, and Up was the first Pixar film to win for best score.

Presence in the Parks:

 Up has recently increased its presence at Animal Kingdom.  While Russell and Dug had already been available for a character meet in the park's Discovery Island area, over in Asia, Up has come to another attraction.

One of the long running attractions at Animal Kingdom has been a bird show called Flights of Wonder, in which trainers showed off a variety of exotic birds.  However, that show closed at the end of 2017 and reopened this past April for the park's 20th anniversary as Up! A Great Bird Adventure.  From what I understand, it is still a show that features various birds, but now Russell and Dug are featured in the show as well.


Flights of Wonder, July 2002

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