Love is an Adventure

Rating: Null/10 (18 September 2011)

Up is a fantastic story about love and the spirit of adventure. When a cautious young Carl (Jeremy Leary) meets the adventurous Ellie (Elie Docter), the two begin a sweet and loving relationship that lasts until Ellie's death. A short time later Carl (Edward Asner) realizes that the outside world is no place for him and he decides to chase the dream that he and Ellie shared. When faced with having to move from the home that he and Ellie built, he blows up thousands of balloons with hopes of flying in the house to Paradise Falls. This begins a wild adventure that includes a stowaway (Russell voiced by Jordan Nagai), dogs, and a strange bird.
This beautifully told story shares a story of two people who love each other very much and who share a common dream. Even when Ellie dies, Carl finds a way to show his love for her by going on this journey to Paradise Falls. This theme of never ending love is not overdone and is shown in a way that children and adults can understand and appreciate.
Carl's journey to Paradise Falls reminds me of the journey Jack Nicholson's character Edward takes at the end of the movie The Bucket List. After his friend Carter (Morgan freeman) dies, Edward takes Carter's ashes to the peak of the Himalayas to complete his bucket list for him. It was a truly majestic moment that made me want to laugh and cry at the same time.
The use of a musical track as the characters grew old together was very appropriate. It was upbeat and lively when they were young and seemed to slow and become sad as Carl and Ellie aged. By the time Elli dies the music had become very soft and distant.
Even though this was an animated film, the use of lighting was very effective and interesting to watch. An example would be when Carl is flying the house through some white fluffy clouds when suddenly the clouds become dark and ominous. This let me know that trouble lay ahead and made me wonder if Carl and Russell would ever make it to Paradise Falls.
With all of the tools available to make a good film, I believe that the writers and producers use of these tools in moderation let the love story be told in a way that was both entertaining and effective.