Pixar Perfect Review #7 - Up

It's a talking dog!

[@TheRealJims]

Featured Song: "Rabbit" (from "To The Moon") by Brandon Strader kzbin.info/www/bejne/iX3FqGeIodqHn6s

[@spindleproops]

I loved 'To The Moon' ah the feels!

[@doctoreggnog6644]

That had one of my favorite stories I've seen in a game, alongside Silent Hill 2 and Final Fantasy VII.

[@doctoreggnog6644]

Your Pixar reviews are always so mature and intelligent and complex. It's impressive.

[@snaketooth0943]

Yeah, they're usually funny and goofy movies with serious moments sprinkled in, but these reviews are serious with funny and goofy moments. In summary, it's vice-verse.

[@arturocastroverde3349]

@@snaketooth0943 more like lighthearted adventures with drama moments

[@RumbleDelta]

I am glad that you addressed Russel being a bit too harsh on Carl when the house was burning. It was something that always bothered me when I saw the film. I think what bugs me about is the fact the movie puts Carl squarely in the wrong whereas, when you think about it of course he would go for the house that he spent what must have been fifty years living in with his beloved wife and it is all he has left of her. Of course, the right thing to do would be to leave the house and rescue Kevin but you can still understand why he chose the house. It does not ruin the movie for me, in case anyone is wondering but it's always been something that niggles the back of my mind when I watch it. There is that and also something else I always wonder; Why didn't Russel cut her free? Carl was cutting the rope with Russel's knife and he threw it on the ground to save the house so what was stopping Russel from picking the knife up and finishing it? I'm probably over thinking it and I know the third act needed some conflict and a way for Carl to find the book and change his way of thinking. I just feel like they could have tweaked it _just_ a little.

[@TheRealJims]

Yeah, I guess Russell could have done something there? I feel like Carl dropped the knife (can't remember), but he might've taken it with him. I don't really blame Russell for freezing up there, given the situation. I would've been kinda shocked too.

[@RumbleDelta]

TheRealJims A crazy old man with like a hundred dogs who is hellbent on killing you if you get in his way? Yeah, I'd freeze up too

[@dogood8750]

I get why Russell reacted the way he did but I always really sided with Carl trying to put out the fire for a practical reason that house was literally their only shelter an means of survival while they in the middle of nowhere with people trying to kill them without that house they probably would have died

[@heidibarker9550]

I think UP did break conventions I mean come on we have an old man as our main character, that's very rare and I love Pixar's gamble with that, letting everyone know adventure isn't just for kids

[@darko-man8549]

I've always wondered what exactly is the story with Russel's parents And also if those explorers Charles took care of were actually there to steal the bird or genuinely just explorers and Charles' paranoia took over

[@the_egg_]

Both?

[@Rubberman202]

I think it's pretty clear that Charles perceived anyone coming to his territory was after his bird, regardless of why they were actually there. Charles became so obsessed with the bird that he prioritized it over everything else, and the only reason he didn't immediately kill Carl was because he thought the idea of someone coming there via a house carried by balloons was so absurd that he couldn't possibly be a threat... until Russel accidentally revealed that they met the bird already.

[@kingkong905]

This movie was so powerful, it nearly made me cry. At the time I watched it as a teen, I was really overwhelmed with emotions. I was scared of facing my future. People pressured me to do my best to become successful via. having a career, etc. I was looking for an escape from my problems and boring life. I resented them for not understanding why I wasn't trying my best. I didn't know what I wanted to do in life or how my future would look. The escape for me was focusing so much on finding a relationship. I was deeply devastated at the thought of working so hard to get what you think makes you happy only to see it disappear. When you're old, everyone including your spouse leave you. It was so overwhelming, I walked out to calm down then watched it again.

[@abandonedaccounnt]

Ooh, Up's certainly a unique addition to Pixar's repertoire. The early flashback is a good example of something executed "too well" - the emotional core overshadows the film and makes other aspects feel frivolous. While I sympathize with people who want something different, I think Up balances the mundane and the wilderness well enough - the former is so densely packed into Act 1 and its presence is felt throughout the film. In my humble opinion, it's a teensy bit unrealistic to expect something totally dark and serious from Pixar. In fact, it feels like a lot of the sillier elements are an attempt to counterbalance grumpy Carl and his depressing backstory. Whether they overcompensated on that front is up in the air, but I'll bet L'il Carl would be awfully sad if the rest of his life didn't have _some_ wacky fun. Kevin is basically a MacGuffin, but I like that that grounded family connection applies to this giant flightless chocolate-loving bird of all things - that Carmen reference was a great catch! And admittedly, the plane dogs are pretty ridiculous but when they show up all I can think of is that World War I Flying Ace and I'm smiling again.

[@TheRealJims]

Isn't that weird, though? That something executed too well would hurt a movie? I don't think I would prescribe making the opening "worse" or anything, maybe they needed to make it a little lighter, perhaps? Feels like they made Carl a little too sympathetic for their own good. (Haha, I wasn't suggesting Pixar make their own "Grave of the Fireflies," though. I have no idea what that would look like.) :p

[@therealseanw.stewart2071]

My all time fav Pixar movie

[@조화미-p6y]

The Real Sean W. Stewart My 2nd fav Pixar movie

[@TheRealJims]

I can't tell if I am being somewhat picky and critical of the second half of "Up" or if I am totally forgiving everything and giving it a pass. Kinda like WALL-E, this film gets a bit of a reputation of, "Brilliant first half, good second half" and I wanted to explore whether that perception is true. Is hanging onto Act 1 as being the best thing about this film, missing the point of this film? I find myself falling into Carl's trap sometimes when watching and evaluating this one, so I hope I presented a fair look at it. (Also, oh boy, is the timing of the release of this video awkward...)

[@joeschmoe9863]

I’m out of the loop. What’s going on?

[@TheRealJims]

John Lasseter is taking a leave of absence from Pixar due to allegations of sexual harassment.

[@98JSB]

I actually would like to thank your for releasing this video today. John Lassiter was my hero and recent news about him has kinda devastated me. But then I saw your review of my favorite movie. I liked your aside saying that Pixar wasn't just a single entity. It reminded me that animation is a collaborative art, and just because one of those people did some scummy things doesn't mean it's all now void. Up can still be magical. It really cheered me up.

[@arturocastroverde3349]

Both in walle and up i actually like the second half more than the 1st half

[@heidibarker9550]

Pixar had a different ending for Muntz in which he runs into the stone maze after Kevin and he gets lost and it's just implies he wanders around in there until he dies. That messed me up.

[@buzzytrombone4353]

They should've gone with that ending, especially as it represents the state Carl was in at the beginning of the movie; stuck in an infinite loop, unable to get out of it.

[@nicholassims9837]

Another defeat was him floating with the balloons think of Scoops defeat .

[@snaketooth0943]

5:18 The boss guy looks more like the bad guy from the matrix to me.

[@TheRealJims]

Up next: A movie with rogue robots?

[@jacktoonlink3415]

W.A.L.L.E or Incredibles

[@bigredjanie]

I remember in WALL-E they literally say "CAUTION: ROGUE ROBOTS", so yeah it's that movie.

[@ashwolftheva2891]

OMG IS IT WHAT I THINK IT IS!? *starts screaming in excitement*

[@Yoseqlo1]

Toy Story 3? I mean, some of the toys had metal... Okay, it's Wall-E, you happy?!

[@kieranstark7213]

Yo, TheRealJims! Please give AniMat a paid Patreon request that is "WALL-E - AniMat's Classic Reviews". AniMat will absolutely love WALL-E, as shown at the very end of AniMat's fifth Animation Lookback.

[@nicoterron3729]

BUT THE FIRST ACT WAS GREAT , hey you love ella guro !!

[@scathelock5648]

As someone who just lost some close very recently this movie actually hurts alot

[@derekmatzek9551]

There’s something about Up that feels really classic, like it will be part of the Criterion Collection one day

[@AliciaNyblade]

I agree that the last third or so of the film shifted the tone too much. We didn't need the "big action sequence with dogs flying planes" thing. Muntz would have been enough of an antagonist if he simply became what Carl could have: A bitter old man too trapped in the past to live the rest of his life. And this could have been shown in ways other than the cliche "His quest drove him crazy" plot line.

[@Marylandbrony]

**Me Beating my Meat** **The TheRealJims posts a video** **Stops Beating meat**

[@Ethan3921]

YOUR BEATING YOUR MEAT IN NO NUT NOVEMBER?!?! YOU PANZY

[@hettyscetty9785]

When I was in high school Up was the movie that they showed if we were going on a trip, watching a movie in class if we didn't have anything else to do and basically the over use of the movie kind of put me off watching it for a while. And the first few times I seen it, I had missed the opening scene and with it the beautiful montage of Carl and Ellie's life together. Also my Dad loves this movie especially the part where we find out Carl put prune juice in the corporate bosses radiator tank and the scene with the dog on the planes.

[@LosgehtsFCB]

After seeing that you uploaded this video, I realised I had never seen this movie. I watched it tonight and it was great!

[@Grampssssss]

As far as I’m concerned, half the movie takes place in those first few minutes

[@TackyFlamingo]

One of my favorites movies of *ALL TIME*

[@ashwolftheva2891]

BUT IT'S A TALKING DOG!

[@NTMonsty]

"Up" is probably the shortest movie title ever made. Change my mind.

[@Interfaune]

9.

[@NTMonsty]

@@Interfaune Nice.

[@henreebee6561]

I love the tiled picture format of your reviews!

[@FarelForever]

This is my favorite Pixar movie, so I was getting excited by it not showing up, but here it is today. It's still quite a high position, so I'm ok with this :) Thank you

[@Interfaune]

The boss guy is probably the boss at TCRI in the TMNT show from 2012 as well.

[@techniclepanther7538]

I realized that Carl looks like Harrison Ford. And now I can't get it out of my head. And now you can't get it out of your head.

[@Wawagirl17]

Dammit.

[@staticsyndrome2011]

no, not really.

[@조화미-p6y]

Come on🙁

[@cortomaltese5206]

Up came out the year after Gran Torino, wich is honestly really funny in retrospect

[@liamdude5722]

RIP Ed Asner

[@snaketooth0943]

I just finished college-I'm supposed to get my qualification in the mail on August the 9th-and when I got home I re-watched this movie and this review.

[@MrJonnyPepper]

The only thing I really don't like is that chocolate is totally not good for birds

[@grapeshot]

Like the meme says UP put together a more convincing relationship then the whole Twilight franchise.

[@Rubberman202]

It's embarrassing for me to admit this, but Up is what got me back into loving Pixar movies, and I only watched it in theaters because I wanted to see a commercial for a certain now-obscure Nintendo game they made for it (which didn't even play in the theater we went to). I went back and watched what I missed since Cars, and I felt even more bad about missing out of them in theaters. But as for Up itself, I feel like at the time I was still kind of "meh" on Monsters Inc., like I felt it was a fun movie but kind of lacking, whereas this basically proved to me that Pete Docter was one of Pixar's MVPs. It's also one of the few movies that makes my sister cry that she's still willing to watch (she doesn't like movies that make her cry, but this is her one exception). There's also fewer instances of, I guess you'd call "Willing suspension of disbelief" nitpicky flaws. The only thing that comes close is the idea that Charles Muntz must be like 90 years old at the very least yet he doesn't look that much older than Carl Fredricksen and is at least as spry as he is... also, I guess he's an expert Dog breeder to have so many healthy dogs, even though it feels likely they're all inbred. Like, other than that, if you can accept the on-the-surface ridiculous premise of a guy using a bunch of large balloons to literally carry his house to South America, this movie almost flawless. Like, the fact that it can open up with such an emotional gut-punch and still manage levity after that is a testament to how confident it is in its storytelling. The behind-the-scenes stuff is fascinating too, in particular I like how Pete Docter went into how they handled Charles Muntz's demise, about how they considered redeeming him before deciding that since Charles Muntz is meant to be a reflection of Carl letting his obsession get the better of him, he needed to be dealt with some other way, and then went into various methods of disposing of him (they wanted him to get lost in the maze, but there was too much set-up for that; they wanted him to be left behind in the house, but since the house is supposed to be Ellie, the idea that Muntz is now with Ellie didn't sit right with them; they had him float away instead of fall but felt that at that point, there wouldn't be enough helium to have him fly off, plus they wanted to have Muntz "symbolically" killed off since he's a representation of Carl's obsession and wanted to showcase how Carl has moved past it). When I showed my mom this segment, she was impressed at how much thought goes into decisions like this, especially since she didn't give it much thought herself. Also, the segment opened with Pete Docter saying he never really cared for one-dimensional "evil" characters, since he felt no one in real life thinks they're evil, and it reminded me of Randall from Monsters Inc. Maybe Randall doesn't necessarily think he's evil, but he also doesn't have that much depth to him compared to Charles Muntz, so I found it to be an interesting comment from Mr. Docter.

[@Jet2TheMoon]

5:16 He looks like that guy from the Matrix. The robot dude in the computer thing.

[@lightyagami1058]

22:03 *Luca joined the chat.*

[@saltyclampirate7397]

I actually think the over the top climax is spot on in its purpose. The point is to take us on a crazy and intense adventure. It's made to make us forget about the house with Carl. And it works. We live along side Carl through the adventure Ellie wanted for him all along. I loved it through and through and highly doubt PIXAR or Disney will ever make a movie that invests my heart more than Up did. And yes, I cried. ;)

[@michaeljoseph6077]

Wow... I had genuinely forgotten Up had that much deep meaning! Would've complained that you ranked this one higher than my personal favorite (Monsters Inc), but you justified it really well. The moment with Carl alone in his house realizing the moments and memories are what mattered, you sold that too me so well. I'm wonder if, had I had watched this movie AFTER becoming a University film student I would've realized it myself. I again, agree totally with almost everything you said. Especially the point about how they reveal Russel's situation and Charles' murders. Astonishing work. And how well you explained the danger of attachment to possession and obsession. And of course, you had me laughing out loud like an idiot, every time you said "its a TALKING dog!" Although, you were surprisingly negative in this review. I understood your grief, Up for me is the PIXAR movie ruined by its final sequence, but you made it out to be such a negative, I can no longer understand your ranking it at #6... If its that much of an issue, why doesn't it drag it down? Every time you release one of these reviews (I love The Simpsons ones too, but these are a lot deeper) I use them to challenge the opinions I already held for that particular movie. And, to your credit, you massively opened my eyes to Up. The only issue is, I know exactly what's gonna happen tomorrow. I'm gonna go up to my friends (pretentious film students like me) attempt a conversation off the back of this movie and get shut down again because its a kids movie. It almost infuriates me sometimes that people refuse to see movies like this one in the same mindset they would a live action movie. I won't fangirl as hard in this comment as much as I have in the last ones, you know how much I love your content by now, what I'll do instead, is venture a guess to your Top 5, as now is when they become astonishingly good movies. 5... Your clue suggests Wall-E 4... I've got guess Ratatouille, as I had seriously thought it would've been a lot lower (I'm sure you'll change my mind) 3... Gonna have to say Toy Story 3, as this is also one that I will admit is phenomenal, but not perfection 2... Obviously at this point, Inside Out and Incredibles are interchangeable 1... Whichever one of Inside Out and Incredibles you saw most recently I guess Also... I'm gonna be starting a youtube channel pretty soon, VERY VERY similar to what you're doing (you being the inspiration) I wonder if you wouldn't mind me infringing on your series slightly? (I tried righting reviews for movies such as "Se7en" and "Shawshank Redemption" but they're a bit too heavy for early videos I believe) As always, thanks for the content, more than makes my day, please keep it up.. Cheers ;)

[@michaeljoseph6077]

Ah, I forgot to ask whether you have Twitter, and where you find all this perfect background music... Sorry xD, thanks again

[@redline841]

Was gaining a sub to see your future work part of your plan?

[@TheRealJims]

Sure, go ahead and make your series in whatever format you like. I don't have any sort of claim on any sort of review style or content. It's just fun to talk about movies. Regarding why it landed at #6... I didn't feel like any of my critiques were necessarily anything that invalidated the really awesome things in the rest of the film. The climax is all over the place and pretty weak by Pixar's standards, but there is so much good stuff in "Up" I gotta put it somewhere in the top half. I think, somewhere in this film, is my favorite Pixar film of all time. In other places, it's like my #10th favorite one. I guess I kinda get your friends looking down a little on these films because, as discussed with the "middle" approach to dialogue writing, Pixar ends up removing a lot of subtlety from their scripts. There are plenty of live action dramas that examine the obsessiveness, nostalgia, and materialism that "Up" does in a deeper way. But I feel like these films and this genre is still worth talking about because of these limitations... Looking at the techniques to make stuff seem less cliched, or how they tackle and present deeper subjects without losing part of their audience. How accessible should an animated film be? How much should they challenge the audience? There are a lot of brain-dead animated films out there. The balancing act is interesting to watch, especially in a film like "Up." They made an animated movie for kids about an elderly man. My Twitter is TheRealJimsYT (I don't really use it, though) and I just found all the music by listening to a decent amount of OCRemix.

[@michaeljoseph6077]

Legionnaire Dimitri 😂😂 no but I would appreciate it, I think It'll be a separate channel to this one though

[@michaeljoseph6077]

TheRealJims thanks :) I get what you mean with the favorite/#10 thing Having to write this reply in a hurry sorry xD But thank you very much nonetheless

[@bigbash8011]

Dropped the 400th like

[@AbrasiousProductions]

I love these reviews

[@MorrisKombat]

Love this! Hopefully more Simpsons videos coming though

[@AnAverageGoblin]

this movie predicted the Loss meme.

[@ShakilAhmed-kf5nd]

More movie reviews please 😁

[@Tacom4ster]

Great episode though I have to ask what's your opinion on John Lasseter scandal and Rashida Jones leaving Pixar's all White boys club?

[@TheRealJims]

I'm really disappointed in Pixar's management. Ratatouille said "anyone can cook" but maybe that's not how the studio works... (I can't image what it would be like as a female employee at Pixar when Lasseter would come around with those special hugs. Must have been really really uncomfortable for them.)

[@jackpearce367]

What do you mean by all white boys club

[@tms6711]

Hey! Are you ever going to start using your Twitter account? Also, I'd love to see you on another podcast. Maybe The Pizza Party Podcast? They are always looking for guests & they are centered around animation. Just a thought!

[@maxresdefault_]

Tim Sabbarese YES. They are really great

[@nicholassims9837]

Colinlookback Up villains: Charliles and Alpha

[@jimmilton6644]

i liked the dog

[@ophiolatrix]

Up is such an underrated masterpiece. While I agree that the beginning is phenomenal, I think people who say it's the /only/ good part of the movie are doing the rest of it a massive disservice.

[@icecreamhero2375]

11:05 Honestly I though that Russel's dad was rich and Phillis is the maid and that he was too busy to spend time with Russel. TGhe divorce didn't even occur to me.

[@techniclepanther7538]

So are Finding Dory, Cars 3, and Coco going to end up on this list? We'll have to adjust some numbers I think.

[@TheRealJims]

Yes, eventually. Will re-do all the numbers as I add new stuff at the end. (Spoiler warning: I thought Coco was a borderline masterpiece. It is ridiculously great.)

[@techniclepanther7538]

Oh yeah, Coco was really quite special. One gripe I could give is that I was able to predict the plot of the film fairly accurately about a half an hour in, but that's a minor thing when really the success of the film is in taking a popular story and just doing it the best they possibly can.

[@lucasbuckmelter7099]

Do a “Mr. Lisa’s Opus” Simpsons review

[@TheCoolWhip]

you're not dead hallujeah

[@neljannenseinansuojelia8763]

When you do more simpson rewiews?

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

20:15 I hope that’s not a hostage.

[@bigredjanie]

In terms of things I remember about Up, I still can't believe the audio from this viral video made it into the movie: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaeYqKKEqJ6KiKc

[@MrJonnyPepper]

Is probably my favorite Pixar movie except for maybe The Incredibles

[@norag1267]

Please post a part 2 of the Simpsons future timeline with the episode Lisa goes to Harvard.

[@chadhawksworth2809]

If you did review these movies in chronological order, what's with the numbers in the title

[@TheRealJims]

Personal rankings, started at the bottom of the countdown and went up

[@MarshalTennerWinter]

YASE!!!!!11111

[@CoolEric258]

Well...this is somewhat awkward timing.

[@TheRealJims]

Indeed. *sigh* (The silver lining is that, at least, I wasn't reviewing the film with Lotso Huggin Bear in it. Makes you kinda look at that character different now.)

[@jonathanmcgraw3384]

Cars 2 at least had the decency to end.

[@108asf]

9:48 YMMV

[@wantedasylum1091]

Hi.