In 15 years, Pixar has created not only some of the finest animated motion pictures, but also some of the best films of the last decade and a half. Before the 11th film, Toy Story 3, comes out on June 18, here’s my ranking of Pixar’s first 10 outings.
2. Up (2009)
If you aren’t crying in the first 10 minutes of Up, I would question if you have a soul. If you’re completely bawling, then I know your humanity is intact and not headed down a WALL-E slippery slope. Up is Pixar’s biggest emotional roller coaster, which did not scare away moviegoers. Both kids and adults alike went and saw this film in droves, making it the blockbuster studio’s second highest grossing film to date, behind Finding Nemo. And oh so deservedly so.
Up has almost everything in place for a perfect film. Opposing protagonists in an old curmudgeon and young explorer. High-speed adventure in a trek to South America in a house powered by balloons. New discovery in the exotic species of Kevin, who plays both comic relief and MacGuffin. But there are a few items that limit the film’s greatness. They seem to get down to South America pretty darn quickly, prompting me to believe there was some storyline in there that they simply cut out because it wasn’t strong enough. Also, how old is Charles F. Muntz? This guy was already an established adult when Carl Fredricksen was a kid. Now that Carl is well aged, how is this Muntz character still bouncing around? But these are really points you question after the film, not during your first watch, leaving it near perfect.
The heart of the film is coping with loss. Brilliantly played by Ed Asner, Carl must cope with the loss of his beloved Ellie, but also his role in society. He stays cooped up in his home, seeming without relevance with every breath he takes. Russell must dealing with losing his father, though metaphorically. He compensates by investing his time with the Wilderness Explorers. Both are ultimately rewarded when Carl presents his most prestigious and loving recognition in the Ellie Badge. Even Muntz must facing losing his reputation and Alpha battles losing his true voice. Triumph in the film is the result of overcoming loss, not being consumed by it.
To me, there is one thing that truly makes this film great: the phenomenal score by Michael Giacchino. I can’t imagine watching this movie with any other music in the background. It truly is synonymous with Up. Thankfully, the Academy recognized the work of Giacchino, which he so richly deserved. And the music really catches you in that first 10 minutes. It’s the score that takes you up and down, through the twists and turns of the opening emotional rollercoaster. It excites. It comforts. It moves. It sets the stage for 96 minutes of motion picture excellence.
Previously ranked:
3. Toy Story 2 (1999)
4. WALL-E (2008)
5. Finding Nemo (2003)
6. Ratatouille (2007)
7. A Bug’s Life (1998)
8. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
9. The Incredibles (2004)
10. Cars (2006)
No comments:
Post a Comment