SHMR #10: UP

Up -2009

Pixar Animation Studios 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news,  but this movie was not one of Pixar's finest.  After seeing it with RT and CR, RT and I listed the 10 Pixar Movies in order, and Up was not in the top half of either of our lists (actually, the top five on both lists were exactly the same: Wall-E, Toy Story, Incredibles, Toy Story II, and Nemo).

Anyways, to Up:  The movie had a lot of cute humor throughout, but a lot of times the jokes kinda fell flat or came off as a cheap laugh (especially the character Alpha).  While the movie is barely an hour and half, it seems like a lot longer, but not in a good way.  Also, there is a slow decline in entertainment as the movie progresses.  The beginning is absolutely wonderful, but after the aging adventurer Carl and his unwanted sidekick Russell meet their archnemisis for the film, it feels like the plot has fallen over Paradise Falls.  The main conflict takes too long to be introduced (It might be 45-50 minutes before you meet the archnemesis at all) and the conflict itself is a bit dumb, even by kids movie standards.  

However, the movie did have its moments- they all seem to revolve around Dug, the talking dog.  Dug is arguably the best part of the movie ("My master made me this collar so I could talk- SQUIRREL!- My master is very smart.") and is very sweet and entertaining.  I like how they didn't do the talking dog in the typical talking dog style- his lips don't move because he's not actually talking- the collar is translating his thoughts.  It is very much like when people narrate for their pets, which is really adorable.  

Overall, the movie was alright.  I would recommend seeing it, but maybe wait until you can rent it for $2 at Blockbuster.  

Grade:  B-