[Art by Ashley Davis.]
So, I was watching Up the other day – and by “the other day,” I mean roughly three months ago – and I was thinking about how the majority of the plot progresses entirely independent of Carl’s actions.
I mean, yeah, he injures the construction worker which leads him to flee to South America, but if you think about it, what was his ultimate end game? If Russell hadn’t gotten stuck on his porch, and if he hadn’t gotten Kevin to follow them, and if Dug hadn’t led the rest of the dogs to them – if Carl, without distraction or interruption, had just made it to Paradise Falls – what would have happened?
He would have fucking died.
Carl knew that he wouldn’t have enough food to sustain a life in Paradise Falls. And even though he’s old, he can’t be THAT old – we see that Muntz is still active and he was in his 20’s, presumably, when Carl was a child. Carl has a good 10+ years in him. But he definitely wouldn’t have the means to survive on his own at Paradise Falls.
Carl was going on a suicide mission.
Depressing much?
wait…are we suppose to answer that?
yes. it is depressing. but still, a cute film!
The entire movie was depressing!
“You call your mother Phyllis?”
“Phyllis isn’t my mom…”
No of course not! Carl wasn’t the hero, Russel was. He saved Carl from dying alone and bitter after the love of his life passed away. It’s a story of rediscovery through the adventurous spirit of children; rediscovery of happiness, adventure, and life.
What’s really depressing is that whether or not Carl went to South America doesn’t matter. He’s gonna die either way.
Old people make me sad.
GODDAMIT WAY TO RUIN THE COOLEST CHARACTER EVER
You dare call Carl more “cool” than the following
*Captain Malcom Reynolds
*Captain Jack Sparrow
*Captain James T. Kirk
*Captain Jean-Luc Picard
*Captain Jack Harkness
*Captain Han-Solo
*Captain [First Name] Shepard
*Captain Crunch
*Captain Doctor McNinja
*Captain Indiana Jones
*Captain Ashley Burch
*First Mate Anthony Burch
*General Papa Burch
*The Doctor
That is all I can say.
Admit that “The Doctor” outranks everyone else on that list.
How did he ruin Harry Lime?
I had thought of this as well. He’s really lucky that Russel came along at all, otherwise he wouldn’t even have made it to Paradise Falls–he probably would have crashed in that storm. I doubt he cared much about his life after his wife died, though. The only thing he lived for was already gone.
I always thought that Carl would have gone through that forest to pick fruit and other food. It looked lush and fruitful even though we never really see fruit.
Carl’s intent was to head to South America to have an adventure, like his girl always wanted. Travelling there is an adventure, but exploring it is even better.
I only really noticed this upon my second or third viewing, but yes, he is an hero. Depressing, but true.
I just noticed. An hero…
Damn, that be that gallows humor.
And while I agree with your assessment, I must say that its not really anymore depressing than that montage. Damn that montage…
This makes me giggle!
Well Muntz was so ridiculously old because there was originally going to be some Fountain of Youth type thing in the plot. Meaning Muntz’s age doesn’t indicate Carl will live much longer. I just made this more depressing for some reason.
You make a valid point on an awesome animated movie of 2009. Whether or not Carl was a “hero” in this movie is debatable, but he definitely was an enigmatic and determined retirement home candidate. Which is especially rare amongst the “old people, who smell like moth balls and death” variety. Few animated movies actually invoke emotion, but the beginning certainly does pull a couple heart strings. Overall, the experience looked very similar to other recent pixar movies, but definitively stood apart in the style of story that it told./ Anthony, you rock and should continue to write kick-ass articles and make very poignant video game observations. Ashely FREAKIN Burch, you and your brother work goddamn well together and make me and all my friends laugh. Your natural chemistry is most impressive, considering most siblings try to kill each other. Not to say there haven’t been any attempts, it’s just that you both are still standing and funnier than ever. INDUBITABLY!
this isn’t depressing, its just real shit. what exactly did he have left to live for? scale mount everest? write a fuckin book? his best years were behind him and in the realist’s sense, the only thing he had left to look forward to was a long boring death at that retirement home after he fucked up that dude with his walker.
Obviously, most people haven’t lurk enough to know what “An Hero” means…
I don’t know if that’s a bad thing though.
Anyways, yes I think Carl kind of knew he probably wasn’t going to come back from his “Adventure” but, he had to do it, inspite the risks. I think the film is grim, but at the same time inspiring in that, it teaches kids that no matter what, there’s always hope.
I guess,
I’ve been saying that all along.
Plus Muntz brutally murdered several people, and that kid was kind of neglected.
That whole movie was a downer.
I think the film itself makes that point pretty clearly though. He went because he couldn’t let go of his wife (represented, ultimately, by the house). He needed the characters that came into his life to remind him that he could move on and be ok. And yeah, it’s definitely a depressing movie at times because it tackles what is, perhaps, the most depressing concept: death and the acceptance of it. However, I don’t think you can debate whether or not he’s a hero considering how heroically he acted during the film’s climax and finale. Especially considering how he chooses to spend his time at the end of the movie. Quite heroic.
P.S. – If you really want to be depressed, go look up the article about the terminally ill girl whose dying wish was to see this movie. The movie itself won’t seem as depressing afterwards.
Shouldn’t it be “a hero”???
Fail aihuaiuahiuaa
Anyways, you guys have a funny way of seeing things. Keep it up.
Cheers
i have to say that YOU sir have failed, for “an hero” is an meme that means “i’m going to kill myself in style so i can become an hero”
i still think Kevin is the real hero, he saved their asses for about 8 times, it’s awesome lol
I LOVED ‘up’ it was amazing. Of course he was going on suicide mission. He got nothing to lose, he didn’t have anything to keep him going except that Far Far Far away dream of reaching the Paradise Falls. He Loved his Lost wife and for her he wanted to honor her by accomplishing this mission impossible. and Fuck Tom Cruise
Is he a hero? Yes. I don’t think it really matters that he only ends up being a hero because of the actions of others. I mean, you could tear down any hero with this logic. Is Link a hero? Well what if Zelda was fat? He would have just stayed at home and become a farmer. The Legend of Zelda would be less “Lord of the Rings” and more “The Good Earth.” Now that’s depressing.
nahw dug was the hero. although it seems like he was stolen from an episode of dextor’s lab