Up, Up and Away

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Posted by Alia Ahmed June 8, 2009 at 8:59 p.m.

Since I'm the grandmother of 1, 5 and 12 year old grandchildren, the movies I actually see on the big screen tend to be the latest animated children's film. Yesterday my daughter and I took the grandchildren to see Pixar's latest film, Up.

Up is a tender love story between Carl and Ellie who befriend one another as children because of their common interest in exploring far away places. They grow up and marry , they hold on to their dream of going to a fictional place in South America called Paradise Falls. But life happens and they are not fulfill that dream before Carl's beloved wife, Ellie, dies. Carl turns into the stereotypical, grumpy old man and grieves the fact Ellie was not able to experience the adventure she wished for.

As Carl is being forced into a nursing home, he decides he is going to follow he and Ellie's dreams. A retired balloon salesman, Carl uses lhis leftover inventory of balloons to set his house aloft to travel to Paradise Falls. He befriends an accidental stow-away who needs Carl as much as Carl needs him.

This film is sweet, funny and full of life's lessons. No matter your age, I'd recommend you see this film. If you feel funny about going to a children's movie without a kid, take a grandchild, niece or nephew or the neighbor's kids. "Up" will definitely lift your spirits.

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femail (Linda Hanney) says…

I've seen the previews for this film at children's movies for it seems like a year. I am glad it is as good as the hype. Looking forward to seeing it, Alia. I certainly won't have any trouble finding grandchildren willing to go!
June 8, 2009 at 10 p.m.
liggyon (David Lignell) says…

Went to see it with my son this past weekend and loved it! The montage of Carl and Ellie growing up together was touching...my favorite part. I agree, Alia, I would recommend for any age.
June 9, 2009 at 5:29 a.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Dave, my daughter and I agreed the montage was great. Knowing Linda's propensity at learning new skills and technology, we can look forward to seeing a montage in Linda's next blog. :~) Enjoy!
June 9, 2009 at 7:08 a.m.
Irish (Leslie Swearingen) says…

I enjoy these movies and don't worry about my age.
I loved the Spiderwick Chronicles and The Golden Compass and I will be going to see the new Ice Age movie.
Sometimes those are the kind of movie I really need to see.
You feel good coming out of the theatre.
June 10, 2009 at 1:19 p.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Irish, I think you will enjoy this movie when you see it. Sometimes children's movies have wonderfully profound messages in them and besides that, they are just fun to watch.
June 10, 2009 at 2:13 p.m.
justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

Good post, Alia.

Question: if any of you saw this with young(er) children how did they react to the death scene....was that a big deal and heart wrenching or passed over briefly. Just curious.

thanks!
June 11, 2009 at 9:21 a.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Ronda,

My granddaughter is 5 and she didn't seem to react negatively to the death of the wife, but I may not have heard her over my own sobbing. :~) I'm only slightly kidding about that.
June 11, 2009 at 9:48 a.m.
justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

Okay then..it is obviously too heavy for me. Violence I can handle, but not a momma dying. I don't think my sister ever recovered from seeing Bambi's mother killed......for real! :)

And "Land Before Time"...I couldn't deal with that one either. :(
June 11, 2009 at 9:50 a.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Ronda,

It is really a very sweet story and I'm so glad I saw it. I encourage you to go see it, just take some kleenex with you.
June 11, 2009 at 10:41 a.m.
passionatelibra (anonymous) says…

I just came back from seeing Up and it was wonderful. Even my teenage Son and his girlfriend liked it.

Thanks for the heads up Logan72!
June 11, 2009 at 4:26 p.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

libra, glad you and your family liked it as much as I did.
June 11, 2009 at 8:06 p.m.
Irish (Leslie Swearingen) says…

I remember going to ET and I swear everyone in the audience was crying.
When I went to see the last Harry Potter movie, Order of the Phoenix, there was a family down the row from me, and the youngest who was sitting on his father's lap turned around when Sirius turned to smoke, and asked, did he just die, Dad? His father nodded and the boy looked sad. I was impressed that someone so young got that.
If you remember Sirius simply turned into a ribbon of smoke and blew away.
June 12, 2009 at 12:03 p.m.