In which I see Up

I first watched the trailer for Pixar's movie Up some time last winter. A friend of mine was showing me several online trailers for upcoming 2009 movies. I wasn't especially interested in any of them, although Up showed some promise. The main character seemed to be an old man, a change of pace from the usual Pixar heroes - fish, monsters, toys, etc. It also seemed very visually appealing. I had no idea at the time, however, that this movie would have an emotional impact on me.

A couple months ago, my sister came home from the theaters after watching Up. She recommended it highly. I was already planning on watching it anyway, but I never got a chance to see it in theaters, unfortunately.

Therefore, I never got around to watching Up until earlier today. A friend brought it over on DVD for our family's viewing pleasure, so we popped it in, sat on the couch with popcorn bowls in hand, and pressed play. I'm telling you, the beginning of this movie almost made me cry. It starts with a brief introduction of the main character, Carl Frederickson, as a child, and shows his first meeting with the girl who would later become his wife. Carl vows to take her on a trip to Paradise Falls in South America, being the avid explorers they are, and thus begins a beautiful, silently told story about their life together. It shows them getting married, living together, and eventually the death of Carl's wife - before they get a chance to go to Paradise Falls.

Fast forward to the current Carl Frederickson, a grumpy old man living a lonely life in his empty house. A twist of fate embarks him on an airborne journey to accomplish his dream in the company of a boyscout named Russel, whose story later unfolds as well as they are joined by talking dogs, a wild bird, and Carl's childhood idol.

There are many more things I'd like to say about Up, but I'll let you watch it and find out for yourself. Overall, this is one of the best, and possibly the best, Pixar movies to date. It will make you laugh, cry, and learn not to take life for granted. Go see it.







Okay, so my little review is out of the way. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and according to the commercials, that means it's the Christmas season. Bowdeni is (temporarily) the main admin again, and we've lost our longest-serving mod to date. What's going on for you guys? Anything exciting?