In the Light of the Dawn

**disclaimer** I am a twenty year old college student.  There is nothing official or grand about this review.  I am a really big Disney/Pixar fan and I really like talking about art, especially art that I like.  So take this review with a grain of salt.  The Oscars will never listen to me anyway…

I was relieved when I left the theatre today.  Watching the first trailers for Up, I was excited but at the same time fearful.  Wall-E had just been released and, squirrel!…Wall-E had been released and, to me, that felt like the pentacle of Pixar  (my personal favorite of their library thus far).  In the trailers for Up, I couldn’t help but feel like the characters felt flat.  Especially with Russell, his lines felt cold and not very emotional.  I kept that in the back of my mind and just said “It’s Pixar! They can do no wrong!”  Thankfully as I was watching the movie I was really pleased.  Personally, I don’t think it’s their best, but it’s still a beautiful movie and I think everyone should see it.

As I mentioned, after Wall-E, I couldn’t figure out how they were going to top it.  When I first saw Up my reaction was “Okay, they aren’t gonna try and top it.  That’s good, right?”  To me, Up pays homage to the classic Pixar movies (Toy Story/Monsters, Inc.); very clean, simple, and super child friendly.  I will admit, I was taken aback at how dramatic Up really is.  Especially at the dramatic parts, some of the kids in the room were crying because something bad happened (storytellers, that is the equivalent of two thumbs up’ the kids are in the movie).  The movie had life & heart to it still and it’s those two characteristics (as well as marvelous storytelling and artistry) that make Pixar movies stand out above the rest.

At times the story seemed variant and there were parts that I really felt weren’t quite resolved (they probably did and I just haven’t come to terms with it), and yes the characters did have their moments of being flat, but overall it was a really pleasing experience and I can’t wait to see it again.  

Oh, and if you are able to, see it in 3D.  I got to watch it in 3D and, oh my gosh, it was absolutely breathtaking.  Most of the times you forget you have the glasses on and you’re just lost in the movie!  It’s amazing!