I finally got to see this, since I waited a little while to see it in 3-D. Definitely worth paying twice the amount I usually pay for a movie.
After being assaulted by adverts for movies about farting, pooping hamsters (which screamed "We wrote this on the toilet after hearing that the Alvin movie was a surprise success"), Eddie Murphy acting like a putz for a formulaic family flick, and commercials for Not Cartoon Network's new Not cartoon line up (perhaps the most soul-crushingist thing I've seen in a while), this movie was... just indescribably wonderful on so many levels.
Only Pixar would have the guts to have a movie who's biggest star is Ed Asner, and features such a sad sequence at the very beginning. The movie makes you run through the whole gamete of human emotions, and it leaves you feeling full and satisfied. It has a very strong sweetness to it. and not puppies and kitties and unicorns, false saccharine sweetness, but real genuine human emotional sweetness.
Every main character has depth that you just don't see watching the previews. it isn't just an odd couple of a grouchy old man and a over zealous bouncy kid.... It's the story of an elderly man who's become lonely and feels he let his dreams and promises slip through his fingers. It's the story of a young boy seeking guidance to replace his all too busy dad. it's the story of how they cope with their promises and goals. And it's also a story with perhaps the most endearing talking dog to grace the screen since, perhaps Oliver and Company. I would say Doug stole the show, but there was plenty of show to go around for each character.
The only disappointment I had was that I couldn't walk down to McD's and get a hamburger kids meal for a little Doug figure to perch on a desk or book shelf. But that was up to Pixar... shame there isn't all that much merchandise.
As far as ranking, I have to say Pixar never made a bad film. it never made a disappointing film. Even my 2 least favorites, Bug's Life and Cars left me awestruck and loving the film and their characters. And then there are films that I like so much, I can't bare to rank them. And Up is right in there. I mean, if I had to choose, I'd say probably The Incredibles would be my top favorite. Can't say where everything else figures in...
After being assaulted by adverts for movies about farting, pooping hamsters (which screamed "We wrote this on the toilet after hearing that the Alvin movie was a surprise success"), Eddie Murphy acting like a putz for a formulaic family flick, and commercials for Not Cartoon Network's new Not cartoon line up (perhaps the most soul-crushingist thing I've seen in a while), this movie was... just indescribably wonderful on so many levels.
Only Pixar would have the guts to have a movie who's biggest star is Ed Asner, and features such a sad sequence at the very beginning. The movie makes you run through the whole gamete of human emotions, and it leaves you feeling full and satisfied. It has a very strong sweetness to it. and not puppies and kitties and unicorns, false saccharine sweetness, but real genuine human emotional sweetness.
Every main character has depth that you just don't see watching the previews. it isn't just an odd couple of a grouchy old man and a over zealous bouncy kid.... It's the story of an elderly man who's become lonely and feels he let his dreams and promises slip through his fingers. It's the story of a young boy seeking guidance to replace his all too busy dad. it's the story of how they cope with their promises and goals. And it's also a story with perhaps the most endearing talking dog to grace the screen since, perhaps Oliver and Company. I would say Doug stole the show, but there was plenty of show to go around for each character.
The only disappointment I had was that I couldn't walk down to McD's and get a hamburger kids meal for a little Doug figure to perch on a desk or book shelf. But that was up to Pixar... shame there isn't all that much merchandise.
As far as ranking, I have to say Pixar never made a bad film. it never made a disappointing film. Even my 2 least favorites, Bug's Life and Cars left me awestruck and loving the film and their characters. And then there are films that I like so much, I can't bare to rank them. And Up is right in there. I mean, if I had to choose, I'd say probably The Incredibles would be my top favorite. Can't say where everything else figures in...