A Movie that Touches and Inspires

Rating: 10/10 (13 September 2013)

It has been quite a while when I last watched this movie but the same emotions arise when I saw its cover by chance. I believe that this is a movie that will be remembered and cherished.
Within the short 96 minutes period of its existence I was literally being pulled into this movie on a voluntary basis: the characters enlivened me; the story simply devoured me. I was been forced to experience a spectrum of emotions; like a roller coaster, I held and released my breaths, as the movie showered me with its little twists and gently raised me to its climax.
78-year-old Carl actualized his promise to his wife, his dream and their dream. An absolutely crazy idea was fulfilled by a seemingly impossible mission via thousands of balloons, each symbolizing a share of hope. During this journey, Carl demonstrated qualities of perseverance, sincerity and loyalty, all of which touched my heart deeply. Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years younger, is a sharp contrast to the main character. It bought joy, color and energy to the old man's life. Their relationship had gone through numerous turning points in this movie, all equally intriguing. Whether the story was occasionally hit by the talking dog, the evil villain or the rare bird, it was the emotional aspect of it all that captured my heart.
Carl and Ellie, the new generation of Romeo and Juliet; another golden symbol of eternal love, they represent the ideal marriage, which couples in the twenty-first century would strive for.
As the movie reached its end, I smiled to myself and admitted that despite all the changes that had occurred in our society, traditions and the old-fashioned life style have never gone obsolete nor disappeared. Even today, some of us are still being completely drawn to the exact same values as before, namely the goodness in human kind.
Belle Selene Xia
P.S. For some, this movie might be boring, too average or too slow in pace, as it had no heart-beating violence scene nor heart-throbbing princess love; it is merely a depiction of an old man, overcoming all the impossibilities and harshness of life, never forgo that one goal to strive for. Unlike other animation movies, I was not bored by its simplicity, confused by over-the-top performance nor disappointed by its superficiality. I believe that this is a quality movie whose ultimate goal is not to impress but to inspire.