MovieChat Forums > Up (2009) Discussion > Why is this ranked so high?

Why is this ranked so high?

posted 13 years ago by EuroTrash613
70 replies | jump to latest

OK, not trolling, but just watched this film and then check here to see it has an 8.3 rating. I thought is was boring and the story was not very interesting. My 5 year old lasted for about 40 minutes, and she usually watches movies all the way through. Had heard good things, but not really sure what they are. Was average at best. Started slowly with the whole becoming elderly and alone and then the kid showed up and then it really dragged. I thought the only interesting thing was the talking dogs, where most posters seem to find that ridiculous. Of all the things in here, that was the only part I'd say I liked.

Would have been better if Carl helped clear Muntz's name and they go back together, triumphantally, with the kid, the house, the bird, and Muntz. Forget Muntz is about 125 years old. Would have left a nice plot story for a sequal, where the kid grows up and continues the explorer ways established inspired by Muntz.

I enjoy most Pixar films, but this won't be watched again by me anyway.

[–] druss44121-1 13 years ago

I disagree with the sentiment that the first 15 minutes were great and then it failed to live up to that standard. What amazed me is how perfect the pacing was... never a dull moment, or a slow moment. I also think a lot of people miss the point. Up is an honest-to-God adventure movie, not a spoof of adventure movies. It sets this up right away. The reason Up works so well is it immediately emotionally invests us with the main character, so the adventure he goes on has meaning and it has weight.

But the first time I saw this film, about at the half-way point when they're getting ready to sleep and it's raining, I just had to marvel at how amazingly creative the film was, bringing together all these different and unusual elements in such a brilliant way. The first 15 minutes for me are great in that they give weight to all the big moments that are to come.

[–] mcgandhi 13 years ago

Wow. I don't even know where to start.

Returning home with the house? That wouldn't be triumphant - that would be failure. Carl wanted to take Ellie (ie the house that they built and lived in together) to Paradise Falls to live forever.

Returning home with the bird? That would go against (what I believe is) the movie's subtle message about conservation. Muntz was Carl's hero but he soon realised upon meeting him that he wasn't as much as an adventurer as an egotistical maniac, set upon self-promotion. He cared nothing for nature/adventure but just wanted the glory.

Returning home with the kid? He did. Triumphantly.

The plot hole you complain about is Muntz being "about 125 years old". Seriously? From the whole film, *that* is the plot hole that stuck with you? Forget flying a house with balloons. Forget said flying house not getting shot down by the Air Force. Forget talking dogs. Focus on the inferred ages of the characters. Nice one.

Unhappy they didn't set it up for a sequel? Most sequels are awful, regurgitated crap that are only made (mostly without the original emsemble) to generate income for movie studios.

This movie is absolutely fantastic. The only reason it falls short is that it's not strictly a kids movie. There are too many adult themes for it to sit well with kids.

When I watched this first time I was unprepared for the first 15 minutes. What's that? We're gonna watch a light-hearted Pixar film? Ok, I'm up for that. And now I'm crying and there's barely been any dialogue.

Great film that is hugely under-appreciated.

[–] nanasfit 12 years ago

I read all the messages n i couldnt find a single suitable concise answer to the question than yours. You perfectly said all the things i wanted to say like reason for not returning with the home n bird.

People who r really movie buffs, who enjoy watching movies (read enjoy as knowledgeable about why a movie is made, whats the implicit meaning of the movies) would never ask the stupid question that the original post has.

Yes this movie is not for kids. For heaven's sake not all ANIMATED movies are made for kids. Animation is a genre n not an AGE BAR.

[–] drcooper92 12 years ago

I agree with everything you said and I would just like to add that another reason why they can't return home with the bird is because then her babies would be left alone and possibly die. Viewers don't want that.

This is one of the best animated movies I've ever seen!

[–] Mick1994 11 years ago

The thing about the talking dogs and flying house is that they are explained (As far-fetched as they are)! That the dogs have special collars, and there are balloons tied to his house. What's NOT explained is how Carl was between 8-12 when he watched Muntz in the cinema, who was probably in his late 20s-early 30s when he set off to find "Kevin", I read somewhere that Carl is supposed to be 78, which would mean that Muntz has to be at least 100. The guy should be in his death bed by now, but no, they both appear to be around the same age!

[–] tranlenguyetanh20101995 12 years ago

The only inadequate movie ranked so high is HOW TO TRAIN DRAGON. I cried twice when i watched this movie. It tells us to move on, not sink too deep in the past. That why it ranked 108.

[–] rex-reyesiii 12 years ago

Was average at best. Started slowly with the whole becoming elderly and alone and then the kid showed up and then it really dragged.

LOL that was the Best part for me. Also while that was happening, the MUSIC, OST for it was great.

The talking dogs was the part that woke me up that it was a Cartoon but it was great still.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] lee_mark_baker_1989 12 years ago

I understand that, but speaking from personal experience when I watched this movie I was overwhelmed by the story. I thought it was genuinely wonderful and the music - from the guy who composed for 'Lost' and 'Alias' - hit his stride here. Having been blown away by this movie and, in my opinion, it being the most thrilling adventure in a very long time - I spoke to friends of mine about it and sure, there were some who didn't get/like it, but the people who did like it loved it and that scene with Carl & Ellie when it shows the montage throughout their life and it ends on Carl's loneliness I felt to be one of the most affecting and triumphant scenes in animation - no - MOVIE history.

Obviously I'm talking from a biased point of view, but I think you have a very good point there regarding the conclusion. In answer to your original question 'Why is this ranked so high?', I would personally say it's ranked about where it should be. It breaks my top 20 all-time favourites. On IMDb though, I don't let the ratings affect me, because I've noticed a correlation recently with 'The Avengers', 'The Dark Knight Rises', 'Skyfall', et cetera. This being that people come home from the cinema having seen this 'spectacle' they immediately rate it a '10' and say that it is the best movie ever made and then, when they've slept on it and realised it wasn't quite a '10' they give it maybe an '8' or a '9' and thus the average rating falls. This happens all the time. It's ranked so high because people loved it.

Sorry I rambled.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] PhillyJim 12 years ago

Just saw Up all the way through for the first time, and I have to say I completely disagree with the OP. I never thought a single moment was boring. This is a story about love and triumph. These two were meant for each other, and had amazing goals. But normal everyday life kept getting in the way (money issues, medical problems, etc). Even though they were not able to have children or complete their grand adventure, Carl and Ellie had a long, amazing, fulfilling life.

Carl made a promise, and he did whatever it took to fulfill that promise. He couldn't take Ellie with him, so he took the house that they built together. You want to know why it's ranked so high? Because it is a beautiful story that appeals to all ages and genders.

Sorry to sound insulting, but if you thought Up was boring, maybe you should just stick to watching Michael Bay movies on your shiny new iPad 2.

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Revenge is...overrated, because that felt awesome.

[–] averagejoeman2013 12 years ago

Got me. I really like most everything from Pixar, but this picture was cold and dreary. The characters weren't friendly or more appealing like most Pixar films and the disposition of the characters was depressing. To each their own but I marked this movie low as there is no way I could realistically justify a higher grade. Glad we heeded the advice of most of the other parents in our community and watched it first. Tossed it that night so we'd never have to let our daughter watch it.

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