Inspired casting in Ed Asner

Rating: 10/10 (16 February 2010)

I don't know why other people loved Up but I'm sure most of them don't share my reason, which is that Ed Asner was the voice of Carl Fredricksen. I'm a huge fan of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and I would recognize the gruff teddy bear voice of Asner anywhere. It is that quality that makes him the perfect voice for the role. What inspired casting it was. Maybe they wrote it with him in mind.
I also think Up is more poignant (and thus more adult) than past Pixar movies, what with the early setup of Fredricksen's wife passing away before they have their last great adventure together. It really moved me, the way they captured the couple's happy marriage and the big dream they shared. The rest of the movie... meh.
Heh, I jest. While I have to say I wasn't a fan of the kid, he didn't get on my nerves a lot - not more than a real kid would - and Asner anchored the movie well enough so that it didn't wander into overly juvenile territory.
As with the other Pixar movies thus far (except maybe, Cars), Up is movie magic - a great melding of story, humor, and gorgeous animations. But Up, with its more adult-inclusive story, has now supplanted Monsters, Inc. as my favorite Pixar.