Up: Adventure found in an Hour and Half 

Up is a film that has critically acclaimed as a Pixar Masterpiece. The film, motivated by a genuine and beautiful love story,  inspires an audience of all ages and has remained relevant in the movie industry through both the marketing aspect and in reverence to slogans regarding fulfilling one’s dream. The story line aligns itself directly with the expression “anything is possible if you set your mind to it” if done with a courageous mind and a brave heart. With a background of a love story that is carried as a theme, there is strong sense of pathos throughout. The film Up promotes inner curiosity and the fulfillment in adventure that can be found at any age by using the dimensions of the seemingly ornery of the protagonist, Mr. Fredricksen tied to his wife Ellie, and young supporting character, Russell. 

Charles Muntz, the character who coined the expression “adventure is out there”, becomes the inspiration for Carl Fredricksen and wife Ellie. Muntz promises to capture the beast that is unknown to North America, even after his failure and embarrassment of tampering with the dimensions of a prior finding. His perseverance to prove his beliefs creates the thought that children too should be willing to drive towards their aspirations, regardless of set backs that happen along the way. The beginning of the film shows a young Carl imitating conquest like the ones Charles Muntz performs, such as conquering the grand canyon; he mimics this in a small way by jumping over a crack in the side walk. This small victory shows a passion finding confidence in accomplishing your own goals, though they only may start as a vision. There is a power in imagination. 

The couple together gets married and still have a shared want to go on their adventure. The concept of class levels is brought up at this point in the film, as Ellie’s side of the family is loud, loosely dressed and cheering where as the Carl’s side of the family put together and proper.  

There is an implied concept that the bride’s is a group of hillbillies opposed to the alternate  groom’s side of conservatives. Regardless of the separation, the two are still in love and in love with the possibilities of their future. This reminds the audience that no matter where you come from, the mold you are born to does not have to define the life you decide to live; common interest and love can be a greater force. 

The accept of adventure reoccurs again when the Adventure Book is brought to focus. Again showing the thing they both they want the most is feasible. A reoccurring aspect of the film, it again reiterates a solid and reachable accomplishment. Their dreams are a part of their daily life. The couple use the jar of coins, contributing to the jar every day. Though they have bad luck along the way, bringing about set backs, they continue to persevere. This continual commitment is yet another reminder of how to succeed. 

There is then a shift in the film after Ellie passes. Now called only Mr. Fredrickson, he cannot walk down the stairs and needs to be assisted with a device.He goes through a routine and refuses to move from his home and conform to modern society showing that the elderly are set in their ways and unwilling to change. When forced to live in Shady Oaks, a retirement home, they make comments such as, “thats typical, he’s probably going to the bathroom for the 80th time”. The comment makes light of the elderly losing their faculties and their ability to perform to the full capacity that someone of youth would be able to. 

Russell, a Wilderness explorer, again demonstrates the difference between the two elderly and young. Talking loudly and quickly, his hearing aid rings as a result. The use of the hearing aid adds to looking down upon the older community. 

Mr. Fredrickson is shown as being easily annoyed and frustrated, especially by Russell:two opposing characters. Russell seeking adventure as the now grown Mr. Fredricksen once did, asks many questions and fights against common thought. He is want to see new life and be a part of new experiences. Mr. Fredricksen, oppositely, is unable to be unattached from his house, as he talks to it and offers advice, once again showing that the elderly cannot let go. 

The main theme of adventure is well conveyed and offers many to believe that they too are willing and able to do fulfill what they hope to do one day, as the house does eventually end up in Paradise Falls as wanted. Though there is the presence of making fun of the elderly, the movie overall has a positive message that can be used as example for children in the years to come.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nviA72Lfio8