Apparently we were watching different movies (WARNING: spoilers below).

Posted by Audiophilander (A) on June 15, 2009 at 23:37:26

In Reply to: The greatest problem was a basic, fatal one: posted by tinear on June 15, 2009 at 09:44:26:

Sorry to differ so strongly. My impression: UP is a wonderful film about lost opportunities, dreams re-envisioned, loneliness, the isolation of being an outcast and coming to grips with age in a changing world. The adventure, or fantasy if you prefer, is crucial to the depressed and angry elderly man's adaptation to the real world at the film's conclusion. It is also crucial to the boy finding someone who believed in him (the elderly man assumes the role of father figure). This is one of the most poignant, bittersweet films PIXAR has ever dared to make.

As I pointed out below, the "goony" bird was merely a clever MacGuffin, but saving the rare bird and it's offspring from the bitter old adventurer (the once thought heroic figure from the old man's youth who turns out to be an opportunistic scoundrel) leads to the old man rediscovering his compassion and learning to see the world in a different way while providing the means by which the desperate-to-please underachieving boy acquires his own self worth. You may think that I'm reading too much into this movie, but I'm not; I suggest watching it again (hopefully under better circumstances).

IMHO, this is one of the great PIXAR films (on a par with Wall-E, Cars, The Incredibles and Monsters Inc.), perhaps not as brilliant as Finding Nemo, Ratatouille or Toy Story I & II, but far superior to A Bug's Life. Note: FTR, I'm not even a dog lover, but those talking dogs were a hoot (SQUIRREL!).

Cheers,
AuPh

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - "Up:" don't expect much and you'll be disappointed. - tinear 13:42:34 06/13/09 (23)

"Hollywood" : don't expect much from the "big studios" and you'll be disappointed. n/t - Awe-d-o-file 07:54:43 06/21/09 (0)

the story was ordinary - PhilJ 06:24:46 06/14/09 (5)

The greatest problem was a basic, fatal one: - tinear 09:44:26 06/15/09 (4)

I feel the same way about "Jaws", for example. - Dave Mester 11:50:30 06/17/09 (1)

I've always loathed "Jaws". - Harmonia 09:32:28 06/23/09 (0)

Apparently we were watching different movies (WARNING: spoilers below). - Audiophilander 23:37:26 06/15/09 (1)

Thank God you found the films you mentioned superior. We only differ - tinear 09:53:37 06/16/09 (0)

I thought... - DavidLD 04:07:35 06/14/09 (3)

Exactly. And that bird was the least affecting major character in filmdom. Did anyone - tinear 09:25:02 06/14/09 (2)

"I'd imagine this film won't do very well as the next couple of weeks unfold." - tunenut 16:36:55 06/14/09 (0)

Sorry, but I thought the bird was clever (it was the story's MacGuffin); I've got just one word for UP's detractors, ... - Audiophilander 15:56:48 06/14/09 (0)

I'd already decided......... - afilado 22:28:09 06/13/09 (0)

Could not disagree more. - Audiophilander 20:14:24 06/13/09 (1)

Could not agree more. - late 09:59:36 06/15/09 (0)

Previously discussed... - mkuller 14:05:00 06/13/09 (8)

Well, excuuuuuuuuuse me! Hey, I see 'em when they get here. It's a small town. nt - tinear 15:59:56 06/13/09 (7)

Wait for a film called 'Citizen Kane' - even you'll like that one. :0) - chris.redmond2@bushinternet.com 09:21:19 06/14/09 (0)

Eugene??!! - powermatic 08:00:01 06/14/09 (0)

Eugene, home of UO...not that small...(nt) - mkuller 18:48:00 06/13/09 (4)

154,620. Whatever, mk. nt - tinear 09:28:00 06/14/09 (3)

I have friends there... - mkuller 09:59:54 06/14/09 (2)

There's plenty of first-run films of course but many times we're not in the first wave. - tinear 17:45:43 06/15/09 (0)

I think tinear is pulling your leg, dude; he really lives in... - Audiophilander 16:00:24 06/14/09 (0)

Follow Ups

Apparently we were watching different movies (WARNING: spoilers below). - Audiophilander 23:37:26 06/15/09 (1)

Thank God you found the films you mentioned superior. We only differ - tinear 09:53:37 06/16/09 (0)

Apparently we were watching different movies (WARNING: spoilers below).

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