PROOF That Carl Just Imagined Everything in Up | Pixar Film Theory

[@redscorner4324]

In terms of Biology, the small Kevin in Turning Red might be a more common cousin of the big Kevin that Carl and Russell find in South America. It could be because where Kevin lives is so remote, that the large version of her species were able to thrive and other cousins of Kevin that are smaller were more easily found and studied. And it adds further to Muntz's story of finding the giant skeleton and why the scientists claimed that it was fake is because they didn't think that Kevin's species could have ever gotten that large.

[@eddie-roo]

Just like Moas and Tinamous and Elephant birds and Kiwis

[@theseventhnight]

there are numerous animals both now and in the past who's skeletons would look identical to the untrained eye except for their differing size, Deinonychus and it's larger (Utahrapter) and smaller (Velociraptor) cousins spring to mind as the most comparable example, given birds evolutionary heritage And you are kind of on the right track as far as why they would be difficult to find, a species size is dependent on it's main source of nutrition so if a Kevin's main food source is in abundance it will grow larger and the scarcer the food is the smaller a Kevin will get but it would have to be in such a ridiculous level of abundance to support a sustainable population in such a small remote area so as to remain undiscovered. The sad truth is that the Kevin and it's offspring that we see in Up may be the last vestige of a species on the verge of extinction

[@IrkenSean]

It's additionally not far fetched that Teddy Roosevelt would befriend an adventurous child he met on safari. Later in his life TR was suffering from grief at the loss of his son in the war. He was reevaluating his life and self aggrandizing ways that he partially blamed for getting his son killed. Now imagine he meets a precocious young boy with a thirst for adventure. It's not outside the realm of possibility that he would play cards with him at night, playfully cheat, and even gift him the prized trophy of the expedition. For Muntz, if he was so accomplished at 23 he must have started early. Adventuring is also a hobby for the wealthy. So I can easily see a wealthy family using their influence to tag along with a Safari with the ex-president, and bringing their adventure loving son with them.

[@scootergsp]

I would suggest that the smaller skeleton could have been a scale model. Seems more practical to have something that size to display in a classroom than a full size version that would touch the ceiling.

[@wtr3059]

Darwin's Rhea (or the lesser Rhea) and the Greater Rhea come to mind specifically when talking about South American flightless birds. Another example is Coyotes and Wolves. On a surface level the two species are extremely similar (and they can interbreed) with a notable distinction in size. The existence of the smaller bird doesn't disprove the existence of the larger

[@3pikness159]

whether this theory is right or not, the details and symbolisms that are being used as evidence prove that UP is an incredible film. the movie was definitely made with carls adventure being the exact one he had dreamed of, and it’s beautiful. whether it really goes on it or not

[@josephharrison5639]

Whether it’s true or not, it’ll always make you cry

[@cambry4932]

It's a really beautiful movie. One of my favorites from Pixar, but let's just admit it, all Pixar movies are top tier.

[@MJ-98]

But wouldn't the skeleton in the classroom be a replica? Like the human skeletons in science classrooms. Which would also mean that there has been at least one Kevin discovered in order for there to be a replica of the skeleton. But still.

[@MythosMaster1]

Oddly enough the human skeleton in my classroom in college wasn't a replica. It was a donation by the deceased for study in our radiology class. But I agree the bird was probably a replica, since it would most likely only he real in zoological museums.

[@jamieadams2589]

@@MythosMaster1 in a college sure but it sounds like a hard sell to have an actual skeleton in a room full of middle schoolers

[@MythosMaster1]

Not gonna lie, that's very true

[@benwagner5089]

@@jamieadams2589 Quite true. Would you trust an 8th grader with a real skeleton of a rare bird? That thing would suffer an accident the first Halloween it's on campus.

[@theharoldsshow]

In 7th Grade we had an actual human skeleton, the teacher found it in a closet a few years before and we were never really too sure about it. She named it Lucy after the Australopithecus. She told us that once she brought the skeleton home for a Halloween party and started experiencing haunting s and what not. So it stayed in the classroom.

[@coolnerdlll6053]

At this point I think Carl is probably the most emotionally relatable Pixar character to date, if not second behind Hector. We all miss you, Ed. Hope you and Ellie are happy together.

[@sirfunkalot3404]

Stop being cringed

[@coolnerdlll6053]

@@sirfunkalot3404 Because I love a movie where the lead actor has since passed away? You must really hate any movie made before 1960.

[@AshleysAdvice]

It’s still possible that the balloon did fly, but then crash landed somewhere in the storm, after all, this is the Pixar universe, and it has superheroes and magic, so maybe he did get his house off the ground, but the dream sequence starts after the storm and everything past that point is his imagination!😊

[@MrGabeanator]

Wow

[@aerithgainsborough7763]

@@coolnerdlll6053 I'm pretty sure they were meaning the scammer that replied to you

[@nickmoney]

The bird in the classroom would be a mass produced item and if it's in a science or history class that covers something like discovered breeds, Charles Muntz is interesting to keep kids engaged. So the model is just to show the 1:18th scale replica version for visual aid.

[@locabsgg94]

I'm not Canadian so I wouldn't know this, but in the USA and its territories we change classrooms for different classes. I would assume that the skeleton is on a math classroom because we see Mai taking math class, and unless that teacher teaches 3 classes (he also teaches Gym) I find it unusual for a skeleton to be in it.

[@nickmoney]

@@locabsgg94 I was in middle school in 2002 about her age actually, in US though. There were teachers who taught multiple classes throughout the day, so probably would be similar in Canada as well. A math teacher could easily be doing a biology class as well which would be reasonable. Public schools are underfunded, so won't shock me.

[@locabsgg94]

@@nickmoney guess it could also depend on grade n school, maybe even state. I've gone to public school my whole life n the only times the same teachers taught 2 different classes n or was a different class in the same classroom was when I was in elementary school. Good to know it can also happen in other grades

[@nickmoney]

@@locabsgg94 I had science teachers teach math two periods a day and 4 science periods. Then art teachers who doubled as English in middle school. High school, there were even dual subject teachers but not as often, only one that always happened was gym teachers always taught health as well.

[@SamVimes27]

@@locabsgg94 I had a teacher in high school who taught art, german, english, french and geography. In fact, most teachers of the school I went to taught at the very least two different subjects with three or four being quite common. Even my sports teacher also taught math and geography.

[@taylorchesser8990]

On the question of whether Muntz would have been so easily stripped of his guild rank, I could easily see there being some kind of internal politics at play. He's apparently been showing them all up since before he even hit puberty, of course there would be some bruised egos looking for an opportunity to knock him down a peg.

[@jamieadams2589]

It would've also been a massive scandal because he was so famous. And if people realise that their most famed and successful member was allowed to fabricate skeletons then it would put them all into question

[@KingChiggy]

To be fair I dont think most schools by 2002 would have live skeletons in their classrooms. That is probably a replica modeled after it and it could be shrunk down to not take up half of the room, like a small display that they use for teaching about avian bone structure or whatnot.

[@chrisalextime94]

I gotta say a few things #1 maybe the skeleton in Turning Red is another fabricated skeleton designed to fit the building/room, #2 as for the storm complaint, Russel literally said he steered the house towards paradise falls with his GPS, also he’s a wilderness explorer and did you see all of the badges he has, I’d say he’d have what it takes to pull that off #3 as for the amount of balloons, sure there aren’t nearly enough to lift the house, but remember this is a cartoon we’re talking about, and also an even smaller amount of balloons was able to lift the balloon stand and that many balloons can’t lift that and this is when Carl isn’t even imagining, #4 lastly as for Charles, we never see him looking for Kevin, we only see his dogs, it’s possible he never collected any of his previous animals, and the dogs did all of the work for him, that’s why he was so successful. Several months later I just wanted to clarify why I was so defensive about this movie. Not only is this my favorite Pixar film of all time, but the trip is the payoff of the beginning. Carl’s youthful life was full of things he had but was taken away from him. He had a potential child taken away, the adventure with his wife taken away, and his happiness taken away. Then his trip to paradise falls replenishes all of that, it gave the kid he wanted in Russel, it gave him the revelation he never lost the adventure with his wife, and it gave him his happiness with a new world with Russel and Dug. And this theory that none of that happened, ruins the whole payoff, and means Carl always had things taken away from him even though he did nothing wrong.

[@9nikola]

#3 The animators said they couldn't animate as many balloons as they wanted, but in-universe it's supposed to be as many balloons as are needed.

[@willsafran8855]

I agree. Plus maybe the skeleton in the classroom was a fake based on the one that was proven to have been fabricated.

[@TechWorld1105]

Also he might not have known that people have found Kevin’s in other parts of the world, also other people probably thought he died after not seeing him for so long

[@AnthonySilva35]

As far as the skeleton goes, if it was proven to be a fake, why would it be in the classroom?

[@jaym5602]

@@AnthonySilva35 the teacher was a fan. But this is just a Film ther...etc

[@matthewmiller6979]

Alternative theory; Russell goes to the nursing home to get his 'Help the elderly' badge, he recognizes Carl from the zoo and sees that he is feeling 'really sad' so starts talking to Carl. They start playing a game of 'exploring'. The whole adventure is actually a story Russell made up to help Carl feel better. Which is why we see Carl at the award ceremony at the end.

[@kkchloro]

that’s such a sweet theory- i’ve always wondered what russells backstory is. we know his parents aren’t very present in his life and i think phyllis may be his sister because she appears quite young and we know she’s not his mom. as a kid i just thought that russell was now carls grandson and they lived happily ever after as a family- but realistically that can’t really happen if russell has existing family/guardians. sure carl could have adopted that grandfatherly roll and become an unofficial part of the family- which i think is likely considering carl needed a friend and russell needed a father figure- but again it is clear russell does have a guardian and a home already. i’m thinking maybe russells parents either passed away or aren’t present in his life due to work, leaving him to be taken care of by a relative, nanny or other appointed guardian. assuming they really did go on an adventure (hey it’s a pixar movie, magic exists) did anyone look for russell at all while he went missing? that makes me more inclined to believe your theory that carl and russell played pretend in a nursing home after carl lost his house. it still begs the question where are russell’s parents and who exactly is phyllis- but i think i can conclude that his relationship with carl is that of a chosen family and he sees carl as a mentor, father figure and friend. this was more of a thought exercise for me after watching the movie than anything from a true theorist. it was fun though! hope there isn’t any truth to carl actually losing his mind and imagining all this- childhood would be ruined lol

[@tiny_biscuit]

Love this 🎉

[@rebelbelle1388]

I always viewed Up as Carl's journey into the afterlife- he died in the house the night before he was going to be taken to the nursing home. Even for a Pixar movie the whole premise was just ridiculously convenient.

[@bladerchick65]

I always viewed it as carl died in the house and this was his journey to the after life . With Russ being the angel to guide him there And Kevin and Doug are animal guide's. Then the chairs at the end on the cliff symbolise Carl and Ellie being reunited. Kind of like a journey to the land of the dead. Either ancient Egyptian or Greek lore.

[@ahsnaps]

This!! This is the only view I will except. Everything else is a no.

[@notBrocker]

Doesn't make sense since at the end he is still with the kid eating ice cream. why not be with his wife? doesn't make sense it is real the after life isn't bcs there's no proof

[@1stJBGaming]

@bladeechick65 your wrong wherether you like it or not

[@AliceAngel_]

@@1stJBGamingIt’s harder for this theory to make sense because he is still alive at the end of the film with Carl. However if he did pass he could have gone back to earth with Russell at the end of the film to get icecream and count the cars passing by. I mean I can believe that because Russell was like a guardian Angel trying to have Carl enter heaven (Paradise Falls) to be with Ellie. Also because Russell is missing his one badge which that badge could also be to get his senior wings to be a head Angel instead of a senior explorer like he says in the film. And come on dude it’s a theory (hence the fact that it’s called A THEORY) it isn’t real 😅

[@baystated]

A bird skeleton in a classroom will only be a plastic model that does not need to be full scale. But aside from that connector cameo, yeah: Carl's adventure is too made-to-order, even for a pixar story. If J had dogs, he'd have also added how Munz would have to keep acquiring his purebred dogs from breeders, because he'd have been left with muts by the time of UP.

[@benwagner5089]

Maybe not mutts, but in-breeding would become an issue all too quickly.

[@Trainwheel_Time]

Um.... The dirigible still works. He still needs supplies. You think he stocked up on decades worth of hotdogs before he left? Or would it be more likely that he leaves to get supplies from time to time. Could he also pick up dogs on these trips? Sure.

[@lthecatt9667]

One thing that ought to be noted about the Roosevelt situation. Old people, even those who are still sound of mind, especially the very old ones, tend to mix up memories. It could be he met Roosevelt, and went on safari with someone that cheated at card games. However, it is most likely Carl made it up to process his grief.

[@LukeMaps]

Perhaps the 98-year-old Muntz confused and/or exaggerated his story. He'd be even more likely to confuse his memories at such an advanced age. Plus, being a previously idolized figure, Muntz likely was fond of exaggerating. The snipe "Kevin" skeleton was likely faked and made larger than reality.

[@sootekken]

Or he could possibly be making that story up to seem more impressive to Carl. That’s what I’ve always thought 🤔

[@StarryEyed0590]

He never says PRESIDENT Roosevelt. Sure, that may be what the audience assumes, because we're familiar with Teddy Roosevelt, but for all we know, he's just talking about another, less famous member of the family, or even a completely unrelated Roosevelt.

[@Dadofer1970]

Most likely it would have been a reference to Eleanor Roosevelt, who was famously into adventure.

[@nicholasjohnston1970]

Or even better. It’s just a different Roosevelt

[@claireannette322]

"Of course this is happening in your head, [Carl], but why on Earth should that mean that it is not real?" -Dumbledore

[@emmagillian2682]

Okay I’ve had this theory for years and I’m so excited to see someone actually look into it

[@SuperCarlinBrothers]

Enjoy!

[@fire9895]

Lookup the theorizer he has done a vid on this

[@dottthemovie]

@@ozziefinale5184 That's what I said.

[@dottthemovie]

I agree with you.

[@camwyn256]

@@ozziefinale5184 are those shorts canonical?

[@ZUnknownFox]

I think this one might be a little too big of a stretch. 1. That's a classroom skeleton so it'll be smaller and made of plastic. 2. In the scene where the scientists are analyzing the skeleton Munts brought back they were comparing it to an image of that bird this to me implies either they were seeing if it was possible for such a bird to exist or comparing it to a species of that bird that has been discovered and found it didn't match. 3. We see it only takes a small amount of balloons to lift even Carl's balloon stand who's to say they're not filled with a super helium that can lift the house. 4. Even if Carl went into his house fell asleep the night of his hearing and passed out this would mean everything is a dream but what happens if Carl wakes up? and if he's not asleep but rather passed away that's something tradgic but believeable. 5. Russel had a GPS to navigate to paradise falls and by then Carl already told him about where he's going. 6. I don't think Carl would've been asleep nearly as long as it would take to get there after that storm but idk. 7. Russel found the bird. 8. Charles Munts is 90+ year old explorer who has stuff like canine walkers and machines in his blimp to take care of his dogs but the fact he made collars that help them communicate is odd. 9. Carl and Russel return home by the end of the movie however where does Carl live now? (I haven't seen that series about Doug on Disney+ (the one that takes place after up))

[@ProfessorPrel]

I agree. While I usally like SCB theories, this feels like the Worst of Matpat theories

[@tgbluewolf]

Some of these seem to validate the theory though...? Anyway, I think whether real or imagined, Muntz would've made the communication collars because of loneliness.

[@ProfessorPrel]

@@tgbluewolf Which points validates the theory?

[@Bacony_Cakes]

Charles might have also discovered more things to put in his airship while trying to find Kevin.

[@dguy0386]

Russel steering the house with his GPS is a big one that he completely overlooked

[@danielholman7866]

Honestly, this is based on the premise that it’s a Kevin skeleton. Look up any flightless bird, they look like that. Kiwi, penguin, dodo. It happened

[@codymills2393]

Facts

[@jamieadams2589]

And that a middle school has a real skeleton just chilling in a classroom

[@wtr3059]

@@jamieadams2589 Your biology classrooms didn't? Mine had skeletons of quite a few animals

[@jamieadams2589]

@@wtr3059 nope. We had animal hearts to dissect and animal skulls to draw in art but dead stuff wasn't regular decor in any of the rooms

[@PsychoEmerald]

The smaller skeleton I would think is most likely meant to be a replica. Edit: To be clear I still like the theory, this was just my thought process and I thought I'd comment it since J didn't bring it up in the video.

[@cultofnatethemagnificent5879]

Yeah a school teacher wouldn't keep a super rare bird skeleton in a room with school kids

[@GubbiGap]

Agreed

[@homslic]

"actually no one cares about 2002" Spiderman: Am I a joke to you?

[@insertclevernamehere1186]

This is a wild theory to craft with it almost completely being centered around the idea of a middle school having an actual bird skeleton in their classroom and not, say, a scale replica based on either a possible later discovery by explorers who weren't murdered by Muntz or maybe Carl and Russell documented the discovery and Kevin's family was put on the Endangered Species list...

[@jacobbailey9773]

Well even if it is a replica that means that the bird that he’s looking for in the movie that supposedly hasn’t been proven to exist has been proven to exist years earlier which begs to differ why Charles munts would even still be there also it couldn’t have been Carl and Russell because up is set 7 years after turning red

[@chelseyaustin6015]

"pay the math budget" is my favorite inside joke on this channel

[@charleslee8313]

Maybe Muntz got to keep that creature, because Roosevelt lost it to him in a bet. Maybe Muntz is the son of an adventure, and the father and son played cards with Teddy Roosevelt. Dug Days is canon with the movie, right? (the short films on Disney+) If it is, that means that Dug was found among the other dogs that Muntz had at Paradise Falls.

[@wolfzend5964]

Or it could be that by this point Muntz is fabricating stories to wow Carl for information since it would make sense to put on a show to pry information, especially if it was a huge fan of yours. Heck he probably never even met a Roosevelt and just said it because he was inspired by Teddy. We can't believe everything Muntz says, just wonder how far a rabbit hole goes.

[@9nikola]

Alternatively, that school skeleton is just a model of the fake skeleton Muntz showed decades earlier. Maybe they were learning about the history of discoverers or whatever.

[@LF-X]

Franklin Roosevelt was a treasure hunter, he was into the Oak Island hunt before he was confined to a wheelchair

[@dguy0386]

really? he could be the Roosevelt mentioned then!

[@mmoney416]

He was confined to a wheelchair only 2 years after Teddy died. That means the oldest Muntz could be is 10.

[@Dadofer1970]

The "Roosevelt" could very easily have been Eleanor, who did all kinds of active publicity stunts, like flying with Amelia Earhart and the Tuskegee Airmen.

[@dguy0386]

@@Dadofer1970 nah, he wouldn't have used just the last name to refer to her

[@Dadofer1970]

@@dguy0386 The same argument would apply to either of the Presidents, except more so.

[@mojo_pohl]

As rare as the Kevin bird seems to be there’s no way they found enough of them to be selling real skeletons to middle schools, even if their population was on the rise. Since it’s almost certainly a reproduction, it isn’t necessarily actual size and could easily have been scaled down for classroom use.

[@davidwilkinson2234]

A couple rebuttals. As for Muntz being too young to have done all of that exploring/discovering - even before hearing this theory I always thought it was odd for a 23 year old Muntz to have the resources to do all of this stuff (safaris, exploring, building a blimp, etc...) not to mention having the connections to be able to go on a trip with a former president. Solution: his family is LOADED because his father was the also a famous adventurer. So the majority of Muntz's collection actually came from his father's expeditions that he brought young Charles along for. That could also explain why people thought he would fake the Kevin skeleton and why he would take it so personally and run away for 75 years, he had been struggling to get out of his more famous father's shadow and prove that he was an even better adventurer than his dad, so proving that the skeleton was real became equivalent to showing that he wasn't just his daddy's little helper, abs essentially became his all encompassing white whale. As for a smaller Kevin skeleton being so common that it is in a junior high classroom I have a couple plausible (or at the very least possible) answers. A. That specific class could have coincidentally been learning about adventurers from the early 20th century and that was a reproduction of the infamous "fake" skeleton that brought down the famous muntz family. Or a student could've chosen Muntz as the subject of a report/presentation and made that statue as a visual aid to show how easily Muntz could have made a fake. Or B. A similar but much smaller cousin to Kevin's species was discovered somewhere else in south America in the 75 years since Muntz left, and for whatever reason is notable enough to be put into classrooms, but it was never connected to Muntz for a few reasons - 1. Muntz had been forgotten to time by 99% of the world as a charlatan who faked his discoveries, 2. Even among Muntz's no connection was made between the birds because Muntz claimed to have discovered a giant species of bird whereas the ones that got discovered were much smaller, AND young Carl and Ellie only ever saw the giant statue in that news real footage, so they would have no idea what the bird would look like alive, so when the miniature cousins of Kevin were discovered they never connected them to Muntz because it was a much smaller bird from a different area of South America. If you saw a black and white video of the skeleton of a 9 foot tall bird from Western South America but then 30 seconds later you were told that it was fake, all when you were 6 years old, and then 50+ years later you see a new bird species was discovered in Eastern South America and the new bird was bright and colorful and very much alive and about 1 foot tall, you're be fed even going to consider that they could be the same species. Just a couple

[@angelic_ky]

I don't think you can say that the skeleton in the classroom is suppose to be the same species as Kevin. A lot of skeletons can look similar another. For example an Ostrich and an Emu

[@angelic_ky]

Actually a better example might be a Moa compare to an Ostrich or an Emu. I always think of a Moa when I see Kevin

[@marshawargo7238]

I've been watching & enjoying your channel for a long time. This hypothesis of yours is the first time I wanted to cry! It makes more sense that Carl had a breakdown & you Made me see it, instead of blindly believing!

[@AaronTadman]

I genuinely just think that Muntz is simply just lying. Getting a kick out of someone idolising him and making himself seem more impressive than he really is, hence the faking of the the discovery as well. Kevin being a mother and clearly a more intelligent species of bird than one would grant her on first sight, i’d say the reason she has been so elusive for Muntz yet appears for Carl is that it can sense intentions and who is good and bad, like dogs can do. Just my two cents.

[@ryankennard6626]

I don’t think you noted the physicality of the film. Carl, an elderly man who needs a lift to traverse the stairs in his own house, can hold his house in extreme wind, pick up and throw his own furniture, and fight off a man who has murdered several professional explorers. On the contrary, it is highly unlikely that Carl’s imagination would create a situation where he and Ellie’s greatest hero is a fraud, a horrible madman, and a murderer. It would be more likely that he would imagine a new villain that he and Muntz would need to team up to overcome, and Carl would be responsible for the vindication of a grateful Muntz. That would realize Ellie’s greatest childhood dream.

[@blueythelizard4857]

I know I sound like a broken record, but the skeleton in the classroom is almost most definitely a scaled down model bruh.

[@benjiminaaron4586]

He does not say "president Roosevelt", just "Roosevelt". From Google: "During an expedition to China funded by the Field Museum of Natural History in the 1920s, Kermit and Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (sons of President Theodore Roosevelt) became the first foreigners to shoot a Giant Panda. In 1924, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. led an expedition to China with his brother Kermit."

[@mmoney416]

But when someone says Roosevelt, it refers to the presidents. Roosevelt Jr., Quentin, Alice, and the others are all referred to by their first names (with the except of Jr.)

[@lasercraft32]

Its funny how Pixar throws in a fun non-canon easter egg into their movie and it becomes an entire theory.

[@hettyscetty9785]

A few years ago we went to a Halloween party and my big sister and I gave my grandpa a bow tie and tied balloons onto his stick and dressed him up as Carl. It was kinda freaky how similar they looked. If I could post a pic here I would.

[@chrisbicepnredfield7307]

So fun story. My grandmother lived into her late 90s, was a hardcore card player (gim rummy and bridge), and was an all around hardcore hunter into her old age. People from ww1 / depression era stock were just more hardcore. She was also a pilot for the USA during ww2, and almost all her contemporaries that went through pilot school were the same.

[@Wrendys]

If I may quote Dumbledore: “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”. Just change Harry to Carl.

[@erikagholston6610]

I think it is all in Carl's mind that is why the story lines up so perfectly.

[@SSKwala]

I mean most of the fantasy world stories can be said to be going on in someone's head and not actually happening to them. Especially in animated stuff

[@legokingtm9462]

Bold to assume that's a real skeleton and real to scale at that...

[@daphneopyc7055]

I mean, the timeline and continuity errors are much better evidence then the skeleton. I doubt a classroom in a Canadian public school would afford a real skeleton of a rare exotic bird. Probably just a scaled down replica.

[@S.h-comma.to.the.top-Dynasty]

I think one of his dogs names was Roosevelt. The card game thing is a reference to that painting of dogs playing poker.

[@Valandar2]

More likely: The Kevin in Turning Red is a different species of a different size. Remember, "Science tested the skeleton and proved it to be a fake" is words that also applies to the Platypus. And there are multiple species that are skeletally similar to other species of different size, on first glance.

[@brickbot2.038]

The skeleton could be a plastic replica, which would account for the size and school availability. This doesn't counter the other good points you brought up, but it's halfway there.

[@MiloMurphysLaw]

I think this theory does make sense. Between all the logical inconsistencies in Up like Muntz supposedly finding all that stuff before he was 23, and going on expedition with Roosevelt, etc. and the fact that there’s a Kevin skeleton in a classroom in 2002. But I personally don’t want the theory to be true, because I feel like it kinda ruins a movie when it turns out to all be a dream or just in the character’s imagination or whatever.

[@Spider-man612]

Pixar people: adds a comedic line or a fun Easter egg to the script Theorists: oh my god guys this changes everything

[@bigmarv333]

Dumbledore, “of course it’s happening inside his head. But why should that make any difference?”

[@SonOfDathomire]

I honestly don’t want this theory to be true 😂

[@SuperCarlinBrothers]

Even if it is, it just means its a man dealing with his grief which is still great

[@julyakacarrie6260]

@@SuperCarlinBrothers And what about Finding Nemo? There's a theory that says, Nemo never existed, everything was Marlin's imagination.

[@StarryEyed0590]

I really hate this kind of theory. It's so reductive and basically amounts to nitpicking at presumed plot holes. Unlike other kinds of theories, it really adds nothing to the film, but merely tries to take away from it.

[@sadhbhcorr942]

@@julyakacarrie6260 Oh no, I really do not like these kinds of theories because they add nothing to the film itself. Literally nothing. If anything they just make they them sadder and take away from the overall story. For example, I do not like the idea that Carl doesn't get to go to Paradise Falls in the film because it means he never learns to love anyone but his wife. I also don't like the idea of Nemo not existing in the Pixar universe.

[@sadhbhcorr942]

@@SuperCarlinBrothers Seamus Gorman has a great video on this topic and why "inside their head" theories are so dumb. They just have no legs to stand and they don't add anything either.

[@danieloconnell695]

The one I will argue on, Carl clearly just lives in a world or universe where the physics is different. Unless the part with Elle is also a dream, he is able to lift a balloon cart with only a few dozen balloons. Everything else, pretty convincing though.

[@zDarkWind5]

For the how he mentioned Roosevelt point, I always assumed Muntz lied to make himself look cooler (See how he looked away as if trying to think of the name) and Carl either didn’t do the math or didn’t care since he’s meeting his childhood hero, so why would be care about a little lie like that? Russell wouldn’t be focused on that as he didn’t even know who Muntz was.

[@doomforzombies]

I mean even if he did hunt with Roosevelt he probably exaggerated it. I mean if you’re hunting with Roosevelt you’re probably rich and if you’re that rich you might just bring your whole family to hunt including your 8 year old who Roosevelt would teach cards to and when you’re older and trying to look good in-fronted what is possibly your last fan then you can say you hunted with Roosevelt and instead of he taught you how to play cards he was just cheating as for why he kept the pray well it was probably his first hunt so they felt he should keep it

[@SamButler22]

The thing in the classroom would be a replica, schools don't have budget for pencils; they're not getting exotic skeletons. And a 13 foot skeleton wouldn't fit in a classroom, it would OBVIOUSLY be a replica.

[@justicedunham4088]

It’s not a blimp! Blimps have soft sides!! It’s a zeppelin!

[@TheNinthGeneration1]

Regarding the balloons (and assuming that there are enough to lift the house), they should be lifting up the house even before they’re released since their buoyancy force would be pulling up the tarp holding them down

[@MisaelMatute76]

Sorry but I have to disagree on this one: 1) The movie establishes that in that world, ballons can lift heavier stuff with more ease than our world. Hense why his ballon cart is being lifted. 2) It was Russel that steered the house, not an accident 3) Russel is not the "perfect" child they imagine, just a child. Which helps Carl remember how he was before he grew old and bitter. 4) The classroom skeleton is just a replica and nothing indicates that its actually used for studying. It could just be decoration or/and a symbol that there are many things undiscovered in the world. Basically a motivational poster of sorts. 5) The last scene in Up proves it was all real. With Russel getting his badge and Carl being there to cheer him on. Theres a lot of proof that it all happened and I wouldn't trust anything Charles says... The guy just likes to fill his ego.

[@ArtistTics]

Most skeletons like that in class rooms are fake and for display purposes. And with Muntz unveiling that skeleton, they probably just saw that skeleton made fake models of it for display. Do you think they would put a real skeleton in a classroom lol. (And also it’s just an easter egg it doesn’t mean anything.)

[@theseller98]

It's possible that the skeleton seen in Turning Red is a replica skeleton of a different species of bird that is closely related to the Kevin bird that's already known to the public. This would make it so the skeleton Muntz brought back was unbelievable not because of the shape of the skeleton but the size, the thinking going the skeleton and the way it fits together wouldn't be able to support a bird that size.

[@InfernalFelidae]

If Kevin was based on the skeleton Muntz found... wouldn't she have had raptor arms like the skeleton instead of wings like she's shown to have?? Wanted to compare it to the classroom skeleton but honestly I can't make out what's there...

[@emafolo]

In the beginning of Up, we see Carl resist any and all changes, even inevitable ones. By the end of the movie, he has let go of the illusion of control and lives life more in the moment. Because Pixar movies are thematically centered around memories; I think it's about a person learning how to carry on someone's memory in a meaningful way. Hunkering down in the house wasn't a fitting way to honor the memory of Elly; joyfully participating in life is and that's what we see by the end of the movie.

[@snowyzombie5691]

The only thing I'd wonder is *why* Carl would imagine Muntz as a villain after so clearly idolizing him.

[@jacksonlynch1731]

I dunno, J. My great uncle passed away at 102, and at 98 he was still doing 100 push-ups, 250 sit-ups, and walking five miles every day, all before lunch. It's definitely extremely rare, but also not out of the realm of possibility at all. I'm not sure Muntz is the evidence you think he is. That being said, very compelling video!

[@thesillyone3837]

Kevin model in turning red is definitely a model since rare large bird wouldn't be in a classroom

[@itsallme1234]

Of course it’s all in his head. But why should that mean it isn’t real? Sidebar - here’s a harry potter question that’s been bugging me: why does Ron have Charlie’s old wand? Most wizards seem to keep their original wands (unless they break or the Elder wand is involved) but Charlie apparently got a new one even though his old wand is perfectly functional. Why?

[@Eldrgard]

Had this Friday booked off from work and spent all day watching your channel and I loved every minute of it 😊 (I’m UK based so it’s 20 minutes till 11pm at the time posting this comment)

[@capitalwenisberry2052]

I don't think Carl would imagine his childhood hero as irredeemably evil just because he faked one skeleton.

[@micaandrews5568]

Okay J, I don't know if you've been in a classroom recently, but they don't tend to put real human or animal bones on display. It's most likely fake. And possibly scaled down because Kevin is taller than most classrooms. Not that that discredits the other stuff you said. Very fun video.

[@dicyanoacetylene6220]

This theory. I do not like this theory. It comes from multiple places. The big one is the "It was dream" trope, usually, or at least most notably, used by those who see happiness as a disease and go "life is misery, this character is happy, so how tragic must their actual life be for their head to be this far into the clouds? Perhaps they're in a coma or something." The other thing is that it’s relying on outside information: Turning Red in specific, and the Pixar Theory in general, something that in itself is all just in the heads of those who spout it. Taking threads that are little more than cheky references and not just spinning whole cloth from them, but an entire elaborate tapestry. And I am just burnt out on it. No, just because the makers of Turning Red used that skeleton, it doesn't mean that Carl is going through a mental breakdown or depression escapism. A wooden carving doesn't mean the witch from brave is Boo. And toys aren't alive in Wall-E just because BnL batteries just happen to show up in Toy Story. The Gordian knot was less twisted then the amount the backs of those trying to fit everything Pixar puts out together.

[@ProfessorPrel]

In the flashback you showed, about 20 balloons was enought to lift up a metal cart, so helium might be a lot stronger in the UP universe Also, seeing as the end of the movie Carl showes up at Russels scout meeting, and the crowd react to him, both Russel and Carls history has to be real.

[@freddiefranchi330]

Not if russel was imagined by Carl

[@ProfessorPrel]

@@freddiefranchi330 You can litteraly throw away any evidence and just say that «Carl imagined it» if it doesnt fit the theory

[@pepsimax6671]

The end of the movie proves it happened , the pictures of carl and russel back in the states.

[@maxsalmon4980]

I had no idea this was even a question. It always seemed pretty clear to me that the movie from the balloons forward was a fantasy. He left reality behind literally and figuratively, and confronted manifestations of his own insecurities and grief before finally allowing the things that had been holding him back to fall away, leaving him free. And I don't think it's a death story. He DID meet Russell before he flew away after all. Maybe the end of the movie, when he's friends with Russell, is real too.

[@betolov]

Question why couldn't a skeleton be a replica? Not like grade schools have actual skeletons of endangered birds.

[@carlrood4457]

The problem with this theory is it could apply to ANY story with fantastic elements. Monster's Inc. being Boo's dream rather than real is more believable as well. Toy Story? All in Andy's imagination.

[@milanger17]

Us: WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS? DOES THAT MEAN UP NEVER HAPPENED? Animators: We just thought it would be a cool easter egg to put

[@Jan_Koopman]

"Of course this is happening inside your head, but why on Earth would that mean it's not real?"

[@CBCook]

Honestly, the Teddy Roosevelt stuff just seems like proof that Muntz is a liar. He's trying to impress Carl by associating himself with another famous adventurer.

[@coffeecrashed]

_bangs head against desk several times_ WHHHHYYY????

[@icecold273k5]

I think you're Begging the question It's a replica made of his original "discovery". They still make brontosaurus toys for schools. Chances are it was famous enough to be a controversial hoax big enough to warrant doubt.

[@ILoveAnimation2]

YES! Great theory as always👏

[@KamisamanoOtaku]

Doesn't Pixar like to hide Easter Eggs like the mini-Kevin skeleton in their films as a general rule?

[@ArmstrongEA]

Helium in the Pixar universe is more powerful than in ours. Munce is exaggerating/lying to Carl, because he's a big ol fibber! How does a reproduction of a skeleton (no real skeletons in middle school) prove that Kevin birds can't be tall?

[@rensocruz1866]

The follow up show on Disney + completely deflates this theory. The "Red" skeleton cameo of the bird is just that, a simple cameo/Easter egg put in there by the animators for our delight.

[@dolcethesmorse1890]

I didn't want to believe it but I think Ellie at the bird exhibit and the colours matching up is what seals the deal.

[@LunatikVision]

Wow, you guys went a bit extreme on this one! I've always thought it was kind of obvious that yes, Carl is imagining everything, BUT he's doing it because of an energetic kid who came to earn a badge for supporting elderly and ended up becoming his friend. It's their shared fantasy.

[@ScorpionTamer]

I haven't finished the video and this may not disprove anything, but most schools don't use real animal skeletons for display. So most likely, that Kevin skeleton is most likely a scaled down model either for decoration or for teaching purposes. I mean, the whole thing very well could be in Carls mind, but the skeleton model we see is 100% not scaled to size. Since no one actually knows what this bird looks like, much less what it's average size is.

[@PoppingThePopcorn]

This really interesting theory on up. I agree with you about this. It all makes sense now.

[@B-MC]

THEMES. STYLE. EMOTIONAL EFFECT OVER REALISM. but seriously, fun video. A good example of why coincidence and luck is actually perfectly fine when it comes to creating wonder in stories ... just as long as that coincidence and luck doesnt resolve major problems for them.

[@zachw28]

Fun theory but one of those times when I think you guys think about it too much

[@HunterDickelman]

I can't believe I just now got the "slotherin" pun on that pillow

[@thedragonwarrior5861]

One problem in this theory(there might be more but this is the one I'm mentioning), if it was just Carl's imagination, why make his childhood hero, whom he still is shown to respect, a bad guy and try to kill him. If anything, Carl would have made him an even better person rather than vilifing him. Also, Muntz never actually said which Roosevelt. Could have been some random relative

[@HOLDENPOPE]

When a writer has a character mention Roosevelt, chances are they're talking about Roosevelt the President.

[@thedragonwarrior5861]

@@HOLDENPOPE fair point

[@Movie_Blizzard]

Who else thinks Up is the best Pixar film? So underrated

[@LincolnT20]

Fr up and WALL·E are in my top 10 movies

[@coolnerdlll6053]

It's third behind Inside Out and Coco, but they're all close.

[@Movie_Blizzard]

@@LincolnT20 I love Wall-E

[@SuperCarlinBrothers]

If by underrated you also mean 10/10 then i totally agree

[@Movie_Blizzard]

@@SuperCarlinBrothers definitely 10/10!

[@Storm-bv7pc]

"South America. It's like america... but *SOUTH* "

[@Neakco]

I always figured that Muntz found all those things while looking for Kevin

[@dguy0386]

there's a handful of holes and possible other explanations in this theory, ultimately i still believe it actually happened canonically

[@dillonsomerville4729]

You also need to keep in consideration that Turning Red takes place in Canada, and that it could be possible that the skeleton in the classroom could be a different species however, sharing common traits with "Kevin" through multiregional evolution. If the skeleton is real, the size difference could be a side effect of living so close to the north pole, or in a colder climate compared to the warmer and more central South America.

[@rubygracemoseley8144]

I’ve never seen an Up video made by them! I’m excited to see it! And I’m also just happy that today was a day they posted!! I love them!

[@cshakuore]

*Up* ; your usual adorable (yet traumatic) old people shxt

[@Spider-man612]

Thanks. You guys just made my day dark

[@codymills2393]

“Would they really have stripped him of his place in the explores guild so easily?“ This coming from someone who’s channel is heavily built off of an author whose name they refuse to even speak… I would say yes he could easily be stripped with standards like that.

[@StarryEyed0590]

Yeah, and explorer internal politics were CUTTHROAT. They absolutely would have torn him down in a flash if they thought he was faking his discoveries.

[@Mar-ic2og]

This theory really made me very sad. It makes sense and makes Up even more heart breaking.

[@AngelJuliet]

Couldn’t it just be a smaller model of the bird we see in turning red. Kind of like how we see smaller versions of the human body on display.

[@Katie-ws7xp]

why are we trusting charles muntz? If he was willing to fake the Kevin skeleton once why would he not be willing to fake more skeletons or lie about going on safari with another famous adventurer to a person who very clearly idolizes him?

[@jaredongsing]

Fun fact: unlike most card games, the history of gin rummy is relatively well known. It was created in New York by Elliott T Baker and his son in 1909 (debated). I'm not great at fan theories, but I hope this detail can contribute.