Up

Release Date: May 29, 2009

Watch Date: September 6, 2024

“Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman, is part rascal, part dreamer and ready for his last chance at high-flying excitement. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, Carl sets off to the lost world of his childhood dreams. But unbeknownst to Carl, Russell, an overeager 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer who has never ventured beyond his backyard, is in the wrong place at the wrong time…Carl’s front porch. The world’s most unlikely duo reach new heights and meet fantastic friends like Dug, a dog with a special collar that allows him to speak, and Kevin, a rare 13-foot tall flightless bird. Stuck together in the wilds of the jungle, Carl realizes that sometimes life’s biggest adventures aren’t the ones you set out to have.”

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   So, apparently, Bob is a glutton for punishment.

   We watched “Onward,” because I wanted to and because I felt like it was a fear Bob had that he needed to confront. The movie meant a lot to him, emotionally, and he had avoided it for a very long time. And it was a cathartic experience, and it was a good movie, and so I was quite content with the entire experience. But I thought he’d take it easy for this next movie.

   And then, instead, he picked “Up”.

   Now, this film isn’t emotional for Bob for any particular reason that other people might think it is emotional. For example, the intro sequence of Carl and Ellie’s life together which will bring many to tears and could have been it’s own short film, and yet somehow became simply the opening sequence to this fantastic adventure. No, you think that would be enough – seeing as we’re in a committed marriage where we hope to grow old together. No, this film is difficult because it’s one of the last films he watched with his stepfather, who passed away.

   So this was a hard watch. I don’t think it’ll ever be an easy watch. But I think it’s a good watch, and for people who have less traumatic experiences with it, I think it’s fun, I think it’s entertaining, and I think it’s one of Pixar’s best films to date.

   It’s good, it’s funny. It’s heartfelt. It’s a very sweet movie.

   Everyone knows Up, everyone loves Up. I love Dug, I still do. If I could have a Dug, and not just our dumb old chocolate lab that doesn’t talk, I would. I love Kevin. I always walk away from this film wanting a bird.

   Bob tries hard not to cry throughout the whole film. Bob shares memories that come up. Bob struggles his way through it and still walks away thinking it’s an excellent film that Pixar absolutely knocked out of the park.

   Talking too much about it might actually make me cry. So I’m going to have to wrap this up quickly.

   But it led to that mini-Dug series on Disney+ and I think that’s a gem all on it’s own.