Up (2009 Pixar film) discussion

PixarFan2006 · Post by **PixarFan2006** » Thu May 14, 2009 8:33 am

I found the clip of Dug the Dog on Youtube a few days ago and I thought it was hilarious. Only a few more weeks.

2099net · Post by **2099net** » Thu May 14, 2009 8:47 am

If I hear the words "Cannes" and "Up" one more time, I swear on all that is holy, I will scream and scream and scream until I'm sick!

The last thing we need right now is ANOTHER mismatched buddy film being over-hyped.

magicalwands · Post by **magicalwands** » Thu May 14, 2009 10:41 am

A few reviews have been posted for Up already. This bit by Roger Ebert giving his opinion on 3D itself interested me:

No, this will not be an entry about 3D. It's about "Up." But let me gently mention one of the film's qualities that is likely to be diminished by 3D: Its subtle and beautiful color palette. "Up," like "Finding Nemo," "Toy Story," "Shrek" and "The Lion King," uses colors in a way particularly suited to its content. It may be that the wonderful new glasses are unlike all other 3D glasses and are perfectly transparent, but given their purpose, how can they be? Unlike the tinted glasses used for most 3D glasses, which cost a dollar or less, these babies use lenses that flicker open and closed at the shutter rate of the projector. They cost around $25, and have to be recycled. Don't look for them in your local theater anytime real soon.

I'll have to see "Up"in 3D to experience their effectiveness. I'm afraid the brightness and delicate shadings of the color palate will become slightly dingy, slightly flattened out, like looking through a window that needs Windex. With standard 3D movies, take off the glasses and see how much brighter the "real" screen is. I predict the Cannes screening will look better than almost every U.S. screening.

There is also the annoyance of 3D itself. It is a marketing gimmick designed (1) to justify higher ticket prices, and (2) make piracy harder. Yet as most of the world will continue to use 2D, pirated prints will remain a reality. The effect of 3D adds nothing to the viewing experience, and I have never once heard an audience member complain that a movie is not in 3D. Kids say they "like" it, but kids are inclined to say they "like" anything that is animated and that they get to see in a movie theater. It is the responsibility of parents to explain this useful truth: If it ain't broke. don't fix it. Every single frame of a 3D movie gives you something to look at that is not necessary.

I'm debating whether I should watch the Up the first time around in 2D or 3D because that will leave an imprint on the movie forever for me.

ajmrowland · Post by **ajmrowland** » Thu May 14, 2009 1:59 pm

Those are different glasses than what I've experienced with RealD. Last I checked, shutter glasses were much bigger than sunglasses.

blackcauldron85 · Post by **blackcauldron85** » Fri May 15, 2009 1:35 pm

Here's Jim Hill's review of the movie (BEWARE THE MAJORISH SPOILERS!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!):

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/ ... arity.aspx

I have already been super-excited for this movie, but the spoilers in Jim's article make me even more excited!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah, I can't wait, but I have to...unless I see it twice, I have to wait a week to see it (because Bobby will be away that weekend). Ahhhh!!!

Brer Brandon · Post by **Brer Brandon** » Mon May 18, 2009 8:50 am

I'm excited for this movie because it's Pixar. These trailers aren't giving me chills like Ratatouille and Wall-e and I don't expect the movie to be as grand as those two which are probably my two favorite Pixar movies, but Pixar so far has failed to disappoint me. Even their lesser films like A Bug's Life and Cars are still masterpieces in my book and they are the most consistent and awesome studio currently making movies and might well have one of the best track records ever. So far they have not made a bad movie.

Anyway, did anyone else watch last night's season finale of The Simpsons? It featured a cameo from the Up house. This might be the first time I've seen them parody something BEFORE its release. There is a scene where Lenny and Carl ride in a lawn chair attached to a group of balloons and in the background of the scene you can see the Up house float by.

magicalwands · Post by **magicalwands** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:48 am

Brer Brandon wrote:Anyway, did anyone else watch last night's season finale of The Simpsons? It featured a cameo from the Up house. This might be the first time I've seen them parody something BEFORE its release. There is a scene where Lenny and Carl ride in a lawn chair attached to a group of balloons and in the background of the scene you can see the Up house float by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDJgVkTxI3c

Thanks for telling us about it! It was a good laugh.

katemonster · Post by **katemonster** » Fri May 22, 2009 10:39 am

magicalwands wrote:A few reviews have been posted for Up already. This bit by Roger Ebert giving his opinion on 3D itself interested me:

I'm debating whether I should watch the Up the first time around in 2D or 3D because that will leave an imprint on the movie forever for me.

I am checking out an advanced screening next week! Going with 3D on this one. I think the technology is really taking off and I for one loved Bolt and Coraline in 3D so hoping 3 for 3 with UP. That and I read another great review - specifically concerning the 3D version.

Bit from review -

Given the inherent three-dimensional quality evident in Pixar's cutting-edge output, the fact that the studio's 10th animated film is the first to be presented in digital 3-D wouldn't seem to be particularly groundbreaking in and of itself.

But what gives "Up" such a joyously buoyant lift is the refreshingly nongimmicky way in which the process has been incorporated into the big picture -- and what a wonderful big picture it is.

Full article!

ColorsOfTheWind · Post by **ColorsOfTheWind** » Fri May 22, 2009 10:32 pm

katemonster wrote:
I am checking out an advanced screening next week! Going with 3D on this one. I think the technology is really taking off and I for one loved Bolt and Coraline in 3D so hoping 3 for 3 with UP. That and I read another great review - specifically concerning the 3D version.

Okay, now I'm officially angry. Everyone seems to be going to some sort of advanced screening for Up and I really want to know how you people get in to these things.

From all the reviews I've been reading (which have all been spoiler free, I'm so proud of myself), it seems to live up to the Pixar standard. I can't wait to watch this movie, but I'm still up in the air [no pun intended, swear] on whether I should watch it in 2D or 3D. Any thoughts?

On a side note that's off topic and totally random - the Disneyland fireworks just started! I can hear them from my house.

ajmrowland · Post by **ajmrowland** » Fri May 22, 2009 10:37 pm

You can see it in 3D, and be reminded of that every time you watch the film in 2D afterwards, or watch it in 2D, never see the 3D version, and wonder what it would've been like.

Also, you can watch it in 2D, go back and see it in 3D, then feel disappointed because of how much better the 3D is.

I'm not exactly a stickler for 3D, but these are your options.

ajmrowland · Post by **ajmrowland** » Sat May 23, 2009 6:41 pm

BTW, the game demo's on Playstation 3 Store now. So far, not that good.

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Sun May 24, 2009 1:19 am

ColorsOfTheWind wrote:I'm still up in the air on whether I should watch it in 2D or 3D. Any thoughts?

as mentioned, you'll probably only be able to see it in 3d during its theatrical run. if/when it does eventually reach a point where they can do it in home versions, it wont be for quite a while. so Id say see it in 3d now while you still can. and Pixar's approach is different from other movies. they don't have things popping out at you, but rather having the background pushed away from you. they treated it like a window, so it shouldn't feel gimmicky.

that said, I think I might see it both ways. probably see it in 2d near the end of its theatrical run. then I'll have a better idea what to do and expect from Toy Story 3. I'm kinda afraid I wont be able to do what I want though. my original plan was to see it in 2d first, then 3d, but it seems to go against what Disney lets you do. for the most part it doesn't look like you can choose. if you want to see it in 2d you have to either wait till the limited time period for 3d viewing is over (like they did with Coraline) or watch it on a non digital projection theater, which to me is not worth it, its digital or nothing for me.

magicalwands · Post by **magicalwands** » Mon May 25, 2009 11:25 pm

I can't believe Disney is not going to release a physical CD of the soundtrack for Up. I mean, what if they only made just enough that would all be sold?

PatrickvD · Post by **PatrickvD** » Tue May 26, 2009 9:21 am

2099net wrote:If I hear the words "Cannes" and "Up" one more time, I swear on all that is holy, I will scream and scream and scream until I'm sick!

The last thing we need right now is ANOTHER mismatched buddy film being over-hyped.

I love your anti Pixar rants. I'm reminded of a gag on American Dad. In the scene Stan and Francine are discussing the attack on a woman on the parking lot of a movie theater. She asks Stan what movie the woman went to see. To wich Stan replies: "It was the new Pixar movie: "Clothes"... it's about the secret lives of clothes.... John ratzenburger does the voice of a tie..."

Cracked me up.

But in all seriousness. It doesn't matter if each new Pixar film has a similair formula. Their attention to detail and stories are simply superior to other filmstudios. Also, Up doesn't seem like a mismatched buddy movie. At least not in the same style as Finding Nemo and Ratatouille. And WALL-E was a love story. Up is about an old man having lived a life filled with regrets. Marketing obviously focuses heavily on the gags that run between Carl and Russel. Eventhough I doubt it's the main theme of the film. None of the reviews I've read go deep into that aspect of the film.

But we'll see. It's getting great reviews. Business as usual for Pixar.

2099net · Post by **2099net** » Tue May 26, 2009 9:41 am

Always happy to cheer you up Patrick!

I'm not disputing that Pixar have generally good story-telling. But I do think that they are telling similar stories for the most part with each movie. You would expect people to get better if they're following similar plot/action points.

Ironically, I don't really count Ratatouille at a Buddy movie - but then, it's not by one of the "core" Pixar team.

But I do think - very strongly (as you have picked up on) that Pixar are dreadfully over-hyped.

If I look at it rationally, it was my muted reaction to the over the top hyping of Finding Nemo which turned me against Pixar. It's not really their fault - considering I saw Finding Nemo on the UK DVD, it means the film had to live up to the various hype of the US theatrical release, the UK theatrical release and the US DVD release. Frankly it was an impossible task, and I'm sure at least half of the hype wasn't created directly by Pixar or Disney. Perhaps it's because of my disappointment with the film that I spotted its similarities to other Pixar films - maybe if I was carried away by the film none of it would have mattered.

But once you see it with one of their films, you can't help but notice it with other films - for example Wall-E has a structure similar to Monsters, Inc. From Wall-E's Work-a-day normalness, to contamination, to the function of the plant being more or less the same as the function of Boo in Monsters, Inc. Story wise, Wall-E has a beginning and end, as well as moral message to Monsters, Inc.

Again, Wall-E was hyped as being original, but at the end of the day, wasn't. Not enough to justify the hype and "best picture" nominations in my book, anyway. I accept your view may differ.

PatrickvD · Post by **PatrickvD** » Tue May 26, 2009 9:53 am

I totally get what you mean. It's mostly the same thing over and over again And I don't see Pixar stepping out of the genre they're making films in anytime soon. Though The Bear and the Bow sounds like it could be different from their other films. Maybe because it's directed by a woman and it has a female lead? (that's new) Oh and I read Cars 2 was refered to by a Pixar emplyee as "very different" from the original. My guess is that Owen Wilson's sidekick Mater is replaced by a European car or something

One of my favorite Pixar films is actually a Bug's Life. The story structure is most different from their other films. And it has a truly great villain. Something Pixar usually avoids because, God forbid, they should make a movie that is similair to something Disney usually does. (as in their phobia of musicals).

So eventhough I'm aware of their formulaic ways, I guess I'm not that bothered by it.

Flanger-Hanger · Post by **Flanger-Hanger** » Tue May 26, 2009 4:54 pm

Just listening to the score for this film which was released as a download today (but not on the US itunes store as odd as that sounds) and it's very enjoyable. I'm also very much reminded at times of Victor Young's score for Around the World in 80 Days especially when Carl's house takes off which makes sense to me, anyone else agree?

PixarFan2006 · Post by **PixarFan2006** » Tue May 26, 2009 7:12 pm

magicalwands wrote:
Brer Brandon wrote:Anyway, did anyone else watch last night's season finale of The Simpsons? It featured a cameo from the Up house. This might be the first time I've seen them parody something BEFORE its release. There is a scene where Lenny and Carl ride in a lawn chair attached to a group of balloons and in the background of the scene you can see the Up house float by.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDJgVkTxI3c

Thanks for telling us about it! It was a good laugh.

I did not watch the whole episode, but I did see that part and I thought it was kind of amusing.

Only three more days!

BTW, did anyone check Rotten Tomatoes yet? UP currently has a score of 100% (Though it may drop a bit by Friday).

SimbaLovesNala · Post by **SimbaLovesNala** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:29 am

I have seen UP's trailer, but I still can't understand what is going on that film. What's the story?

DisneyJedi · Post by **DisneyJedi** » Wed May 27, 2009 12:44 pm

SimbaLovesNala wrote:I have seen UP's trailer, but I still can't understand what is going on that film. What's the story?

Simple. Carl Frederickson is going on a journey to South America, and meets many people along the way.

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Up (2009 Pixar film) discussion