Up (2009)

To avoid being taken away to a nursing home, an old widower tries to fly his home to Paradise Falls, South America, along with a boy scout who accidently lifted off with him.

Directors:

Pete Docter, Bob Peterson

Writers:

Pete Docter (story), Bob Peterson (story),

Stars:

Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, John Ratzenberger

Top 250 #115 | Won 2 Oscars. Another 71 wins & 54 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward Asner	...	Carl Fredricksen (voice) (as Ed Asner)
Christopher Plummer	...	Charles Muntz (voice)
Jordan Nagai	...	Russell (voice)
Bob Peterson	...	Dug / Alpha (voice)
Delroy Lindo	...	Beta (voice)
Jerome Ranft	...	Gamma (voice)
John Ratzenberger	...	Construction Foreman Tom (voice)
David Kaye	...	Newsreel Announcer (voice)
Elie Docter	...	Young Ellie (voice)
Jeremy Leary	...	Young Carl (voice)
Mickie McGowan	...	Police Officer Edith (voice) (as Mickie T. McGowan)
Danny Mann	...	Construction Worker Steve (voice)
Donald Fullilove	...	Nurse George (voice) (as Don Fullilove)
Jess Harnell	...	Nurse AJ (voice)
Josh Cooley	...	Omega (voice)

Storyline

A young Carl Fredrickson meets a young adventure-spirited girl named Ellie. They both dream of going to a lost land in South America. 70 years later, Ellie has died. Carl remembers the promise he made to her. Then, when he inadvertently hits a construction worker, he is forced to go to a retirement home. But before they can take him, he and his house fly away. However, he has a stowaway aboard: an 8-year-old boy named Russell, who's trying to get an Assisting the Elderly badge. Together, they embark on an adventure, where they encounter talking dogs, an evil villain and a rare bird named Kevin.

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Plot Keywords:

house | south america | dream | promise | retirement | 

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Taglines:

Fly Up to Venezuela

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 May 2009 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Là-haut

Box Office

Budget:

$175,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£6,411,836 (UK) (9 October 2009)

Gross:

£34,284,193 (UK) (18 December 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital EX DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The iconic, slightly out-of-perspective drawing of the house sitting by the falls is an homage to the style of Mary Blair, the artist credited with bringing the modern art look to Disney animation.

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Goofs

In the title scene where young Carl Fredricksen is running with his balloon in the hand and smashes at the tree. The tree's shadow is missing behind and only young Carl has his shadow, as if he's floating in air.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Newsreel Announcer: Movietown News presents, "Spotlight on Adventure." What you are now witnessing is footage never before seen by civilized humanity: a lost world in South America. Lurking in the shadow of majestic Paradise Falls, it sports plants and animals undiscovered by science. Who would dare set foot on this inhospitable summit? Why, our subject today, Charles Muntz!

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Crazy Credits

The photographs of characters shown during the end credits thematically match the crew members' positions, as do the "Wilderness Explorer" badges that also appear.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: 2010 Kids Week Game 1 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Habanera
(uncredited)
from "Carmen"
by Georges Bizet

User Reviews

It's Just a House

Greetings again from the darkness. Another crackling collaboration of Pixar and Disney, and as expected, it is touching, funny, thrilling and amazing to look at and watch. Only a step below Toy Story just because it is not quite as ground-breaking, though the story is even better.

While I love technology and effects, I am first and foremost a story guy when it comes to movies. This has as good of story as any film you will see. My only caution is that it seems geared towards grown-ups, not kids. The montage of Carl and Ellie growing old together is without dialogue and will probably bore some kids. Their parents certainly won't be bored; however, as it will resonate with most anyone over age 40 who hasn't taken the time to chase their childhood dreams.

No question, this film is a barrage of color and eccentric characters, and can even be a bit frightening at times. Still, the key to this one are the stories and quests of the elderly Mr. Fredrickson and the young Russell, trying to earn his badge of honor. From the beginning, Disney has always had a finger on the pulse of youngsters. Here, we aren't given the usual Hollywood garbage of brainiac kids who make the adults look stupid. Instead we are given a pudgy, slightly goofy kid just trying to get his parents to take note.

Special kudos to Ed Asner for bringing Mr. Fredrickson to life ... in good times and bad. He never goes overboard and is quite often absolutely perfect. Christopher Plummer has a limited role as bad guy Charles Muntz. Or is he really so bad? Cast aside by society, he has spent his life searching for redemption.

I am not saying the kids won't enjoy, but I am saying make sure parents and grandparents tag along. You will be entertained, delighted and moved.