One of the Best Disney/Pixar Movies EVER!
I missed the Disney/Pixar movie UP when it was in theaters (that happens more and more these days), but I had heard that it was a “must see” and that it was one of those kid movies that offers as much or more for the adults as the kids. Thankfully, this delightful, heart-warming, emotion-evoking masterpiece was released on Blu-ray and DVD on Nov. 10.
UP is one of Disney/Pixar’s finest works. Within about 10 minutes, you are hooked as you begin to understand the beautiful relationship between the late Ellie and Carl — the movie’s geriatric hero.
Ed Asner voices Carl — a man with dreams of being a hero but who lacks the resources for an adventure, which has resulted in him becoming a somewhat crabby old man who may very well be waiting to die. Then, after an altercation with some folks who want to take over his house, this 78-year-old balloon salesman finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell.
I love the “follow your dreams” message of UP, as well as the “things happen when they are darned well supposed to happen” message. That’s something we all need to hear from time to time.
UP is available in a four-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack, and a two-disc DVD, which both include DisneyFile, a digital copy of the movie that can be viewed on an array of electronic devices, as well as enough bonus
features that keep the fun coming.
Up has a suggested retail price of $39.99 for the 2-Disc DVD, and $45.99 for the 4-Disc Blu-ray Combo pack. A 1-Disc DVD also is available for $29.99.
BONUS FEATURES
• Commentary by director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson.
• Dug’s Special Mission – An all new original short film that follows the
misadventures of Dug as he attempts to complete his “special mission.” The
short is directed by Up Story Supervisor, Ronnie Del Carmen.
• The Many Endings of Muntz – Many ideas were hatched about how to dispose of the film’s arch villain, Muntz, and now viewers can see the many alternate endings proposed during story development.
• Partly Cloudy –The hilarious short film that preceded screenings of Up.
Everyone knows that the stork delivers babies, but where do the storks get the babies? The answer lies up in the stratosphere where the cloud Gus is a master at creating “dangerous” babies, which prove to be more than a handful for his loval delivery stork Peck. Directed by Pixar story artist, animator and voice actor Peter Sohn.
• Adventure is Out There – This action-packed documentary tells the story of the filmmakers’ own trek to the tepuis mountains of South America to research the design and story of the film.
FEATURES ONLY ON BLU-RAY VERSION
• Cine-Explore – A visual montage of concept art, clips and documentary
coverage that illustrates the directors’ commentary.
• Geriatric Hero – A character study of Carl, from research to realization including art and design, rigging, animation and story. It focuses on the issues of aging, “simplexity”, shape-language and compelling character arcs.
• Canine Companions – For anyone who ever wondered where CG puppies
come from, an introduction to the design, behavior and language of dogs.
• Russell: Wilderness Explorer – A character study of Russell from inspiration and design to finding the character arc and authentic voice for this wilderness ranger.
• Our Giant Flightless Friend, Kevin – Find out how avian research and
development at Pixar helped bring a mythical, 13-foot tall iridescent bird to life.
• Balloons and Flight – Carl’s house and Muntz’s dirigible presented the
filmmakers with two different problems—how could they make a physical
impossibility possible? And, in the case of the dirigible, how would they unearth a fallen giant and let it soar?
• Composing for Characters – Composer Michael Giacchino returns to score his third Disney•Pixar feature film. See how the Up filmmakers collaborated with Giacchino to create the memorable score and compelling musical themes.
• Married Life – The original story concept that became the powerful “Married Life” scene, showing Carl and Ellie’s love story.
• Global Guardian Badge Game – Players try to locate countries, states and
capitals around the globe in a multi-layered BD-Exclusive geography game
enhanced by BD-Live.
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#1 Becca on November 19, 2009:
I really enjoyed this movie…but I felt like it might make kids sad…just my take tho!