99 Helium Baloons
UP
(12, general release)
*****
By now, the name Pixar has become synonymous with original, sophisticated, visually rich, fun CGI animation with a beating heart and a child-like innocence. Don’t believe me? Then sit down some weekend and treat yourself to a veritable feast of Toy Story 1 & 2; Monsters Inc; The Incredibles; Cars; Ratatouille and last year’s cinematic odyssey: WALL-E and you’ll soon begin to understand why it’s become the standard setter in this field, surpassing Disney in the process. Now having been taken over by the former kings of animation, it seems that the sky is the limit for the film loving; scientific geeks of Pixar. The sky is exactly where they take to in UP, their latest; most daring big-screen adventure yet that tells the story of an old widower that embarks on the most unusual of journeys with a plethora of helium balloons and an old rickety house.
That old man is 78-year-old Carl Fredrickson (voiced by Ed Asner) but the film begins with his childhood. What then takes place is a truly remarkable and profoundly touching piece of filmmaking as we are treated to a wordless 5-minute sequence that chronicles Carl’s life from childhood to old age; how he met Ellie (who shared his spirit of adventure); their life together and how the house came into existence. The emotional impact of this scene can only be compared to that WALL-E the robot sat there holding his hands while watching Hello-Dolly and left me shedding a few tears. The rest of the film deals with life after Ellie and Carl’s lonely struggle to adapt to the changing world. Then one day he decides to up and leave, quite literally, when he attaches 100’s of helium balloons to his house and lifts off into the clear blue sky. The joy on his face is palpable but he doesn’t reckon on the company of a young Wilderness Explorer Scout called Russell who knocks on his door 2,000 feet up, begging to let him in. After some initial hesitance, Carl let’s the boy in and he joins Carl on his quest for Paradise Falls.
When they eventually arrive at their destination, they encounter a variety of weird and wonderful creatures in the form of a robotic talking dog called Doug, a tall; colourful and striking looking female bird that Russell decides to name Kevin and Carl & Ellie’s childhood hero, the renowned adventurer: Charles Muntz (voiced by Christopher Plummer) and his loyal gathering of fellow talking dogs. Mr. Muntz lives in a big airship or a blimp and while initially Carl is fascinated by his surroundings, soon begins to suspect that something’s up when Charles starts talking about a big bird he wants to bring home as a souvenir. So the two ageing men fight it out for meaning, but motivated by 2 different things.
What’s amazing about this film and indeed, most other Pixar film’s is the director’s (in this case Pete Docter); writers (Bob Peterson) and co’s ability not only to paint such vivid pictures & images with such rich textures and colour’s but also to create real characters with a beating heart; a soul; emotion’s; desires etc, characters that you care about and want to root for. It sort of makes you want to go buy a packet of balloons; fill them with helium; tie them to your house and see where the wind takes you. Because just maybe, you, like Carl have a long held dream you want to fulfil!
Written by Ken Hume
