Up, Pixar’s 10th feature-length movie, is an example of what the studio can do when they’re firing on all cylinders. Unfortunately, that was the last time I’ve seen Pixar do so. In 2009, I sat down with my family to watch the latest Pixar movie,Up. Hooray! Oh look, a young boy and girl are starting to like each other. Nice! Hey, they’re getting married. That’s wonderful! Wait now what’s happening? Slow down. Hey! They lost the child? She’s dead?? What kind ofkids' movie opens with a death scene?
The kind of Pixar movie that earns a 98% onRotten Tomatoes, $735 million at the box office (viaBox Office Mojo), and five nominations at the Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture. That’s what kind of kids' movie.Uphas left a lasting legacy on pop culture. Thatfloating house is still a part of the public consciousness, as is saying “Squirrel” when you’re distracted, Russell’s yellow scout outfit, the giant bird Kevin, and more.Upresonates in a way that Pixar movies that came after simply haven’t.
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Up Cares More About A Deep, Emotional Story Than Franchise Potential Like Other Pixar Movies
Newer Pixar Movies Are Fixated On Creating A Tearjerking Moment
Up’s story is an emotionally rich affair that later Pixar movies have not been able to match. Before I really get into this, I want to point out that the best Pixar movies are among the best animated movies ever, and arguably among the best films ever, full stop. So saying the later films aren’t as good is not meant as a slam. I don’t hateInside OutorToy Story 3, but none of these films, or at least when they are viewed as a group, can matchUpand what came before.
Inside OutandUpwere both directed by Pete Docter.
That gut punch at the beginning ofUpis not there solely to elicit tears. It’s a necessary part of the story that explains exactly why Carl literally and figuratively clings to his house. The later Pixar films feel like they’re mining for those cry moments.Inside Outis a great example. It’s a fantastic movie, but the only parts people seem to remember are when Bing Bong dies, or Joy gets sad. There should be more to Pixar movies than some big flashing arrow that says, “Emotional moment ahead!”.
Pixar movies aren’t great because they make you cry. Pixar movies make you cry because they are great.
Whenever a Pixar movie trailer drops, you can always find people in the comments wondering at which moment they will cry. That’s like saying, “I wonder what will be the part of this movie I enjoy”. You’re already setting an emotional expectation before the movie even starts and Pixar seems happy to oblige. Never mind Pixar’s interest in sequels and franchises, which definitely signals a shift in their priorities, it seems thatthe studio has somehow come to misunderstand themselves. Pixar movies aren’t great because they make you cry. Pixar movies make you cry because they are great.
94.8
97.0
7.97
8.06
85.11
87.82
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Up Should Never, Ever Get A Sequel (Or A Live-Action Remake)
Up’s Story Is Done, There’s No More To Tell
You can bet that an executive at Disney has tossed around the idea of doing live-action remakes of Pixar properties. They’re quickly making their way through the Disney animated films; Pixar could be up next. This would be a mistake. So much of the film’s charm comes from its design. Thecolors and shapes are critical to the story. Carl being shaped like a box is not a coincidence; I don’t know how you get nuances like that across in live-action.
A sequel toUpis also a possibility, but again, that’s a mistake. The story is done. Carl’s house made it to Paradise Falls. He’s made peace with his life. If Pixar wants to get back to the platinum standard of films likeUp, best not to start with an unoriginal idea likeUp 2.
Up
Cast
Pixar’s Up follows widower Carl (Ed Asner) who travels to South America with young wilderness explorer Russell (Jordan Nagai) by attaching thousands of balloons to his home after the bank threatens to foreclose on it. Discovering the legendary Paradise Falls, Carl meets his childhood hero, explorer Charles Muntz. However, Muntz isn’t the kind-hearted man Carl hoped he would be, and the grieving widower finds himself pitted against his former idol.
