Why I Love Pixar #15
June 1st 2009 19:36
I fell in love with the films produced by Pixar in 1995. For those who don't remember, that was the year they brought a cowboy named Woody and a hero named Buzz Lightyear to life. Before the house lights came back up in that darkened theater, Pixar "had a friend in me". As the years passed, Pixar continued to produce both full length features and animated shorts that have delighted both young and old fans.
Last November, we saw the first trailer for "Up" Pixar's latest offering. My daughter leaned over before it was finished running and whispered, "We'll be seeing it, right Mom?" Because even at her young age, she knows that I am in love with every movie I've ever seen from Pixar. "Up" is no exception.
Briefly, "Up" is the story of Carl Fredericksen, a retired balloon salesman, who is portrayed by Ed Asner. Carl is being forced out of his home by the court. Rather than leave his home, Carl forms a plan that will let him keep his home and fulfill a promise he made to his wife Ellie before her death. He turns the house into a kind of airship, held aloft by thousands of helium balloons. Unfortunately for Carl, he discovers that he has a stowaway, Russell. Russell (Jordan Nagal) is a Wilderness Explorer who is working on a merit badge in "Assisting the Elderly". The pair sail away to South America where they encounter Charles Muntz, a famous explorer, played by Christopher Plummer.
Muntz was the childhood hero of Carl's wife but, as Carl soon discovers, he is a man on a mission and will stop at nothing to attain his goals. The story is full of adventure and characters that will endear themselves to viewers. Especially Dug, a dog who is able to communicate through a special translator in his collar.
I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone but rest assured, everything ends as it should, with good triumphing over evil, and the villain getting his just desserts.
When you watch the movie, and you really should, look closely at Carl. The film makers based his character on Spencer Tracey and Walter Matthau, both well known for playing gruff old men with soft hearts. The character of Muntz was based on Charles B. Mintz, who stole the character of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit from Walt Disney. It was this theft that caused Disney to go on to create a certain Mouse, who then made history.
The movie has been well received everywhere but I would expect nothing less from Pixar. "Up" was the first animated opening film in Cannes history.
"Rotten Tomatoes" has rated it "Fresh". But those things don't matter much to me. The best rating any movie can get in my book comes when, as we leave the theater, a little voice says, "Can we buy this when it comes out on DVD, Mom?"
And that is why I love Pixar films.
Last November, we saw the first trailer for "Up" Pixar's latest offering. My daughter leaned over before it was finished running and whispered, "We'll be seeing it, right Mom?" Because even at her young age, she knows that I am in love with every movie I've ever seen from Pixar. "Up" is no exception.
Briefly, "Up" is the story of Carl Fredericksen, a retired balloon salesman, who is portrayed by Ed Asner. Carl is being forced out of his home by the court. Rather than leave his home, Carl forms a plan that will let him keep his home and fulfill a promise he made to his wife Ellie before her death. He turns the house into a kind of airship, held aloft by thousands of helium balloons. Unfortunately for Carl, he discovers that he has a stowaway, Russell. Russell (Jordan Nagal) is a Wilderness Explorer who is working on a merit badge in "Assisting the Elderly". The pair sail away to South America where they encounter Charles Muntz, a famous explorer, played by Christopher Plummer.
Muntz was the childhood hero of Carl's wife but, as Carl soon discovers, he is a man on a mission and will stop at nothing to attain his goals. The story is full of adventure and characters that will endear themselves to viewers. Especially Dug, a dog who is able to communicate through a special translator in his collar.
I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone but rest assured, everything ends as it should, with good triumphing over evil, and the villain getting his just desserts.
When you watch the movie, and you really should, look closely at Carl. The film makers based his character on Spencer Tracey and Walter Matthau, both well known for playing gruff old men with soft hearts. The character of Muntz was based on Charles B. Mintz, who stole the character of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit from Walt Disney. It was this theft that caused Disney to go on to create a certain Mouse, who then made history.
The movie has been well received everywhere but I would expect nothing less from Pixar. "Up" was the first animated opening film in Cannes history.
"Rotten Tomatoes" has rated it "Fresh". But those things don't matter much to me. The best rating any movie can get in my book comes when, as we leave the theater, a little voice says, "Can we buy this when it comes out on DVD, Mom?"
And that is why I love Pixar films.
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