On the Up and Up

By Britt Perkins

First of all, is that how you really spell “up”? After typing it many times in just a few seconds, I’m not so sure.

Second of all, this is obviously pretty different from the other films in the Flick File, but it’s the holidays. Plus, I really liked this movie.

Anyway, Up is a not-so-traditional story that starts out in a classic way: boy and girl live separate lives full of adventure and ambition. Boy meets girl. They fall in love and become completely distracted from their ultimate life goals by sex (this is not clearly depicted in the movie, but I know it happened). Boy and girl grow old. Boy outlives girl.
That’s Carl.

Curmudgeonly clinging to wisps of fond memories, he won’t sell his house to big time developers. Instead, Carl takes a cue from the dirigible-driving hero of his childhood and sticks it to the man by using helium balloons to fly his house to a better place. The antics begin when Russell, an 8-year-old scout, is discovered as a stowaway on the journey.

I began my viewing adventure at the local Bento Box where they were playing this film on mute with English subtitles. I was sold during an exchange between Carl and some local fauna who “squawked mockingly” at him.

Watching it with sound didn’t disappoint. Providing you like animation and talking animals. However, if you’re on the fence, it’s worth it. The animals are surprisingly witty and only two are good or cute. They rest are on the bad guy’s team.

Bright and heartfelt in all the right places, it’s worth a go.