By Greg Vellante
Correspondent

I recently stumbled upon an old childhood memory which immediately brought me back years and years to the age of my innocence, while at the same time, I found myself viewing it in a completely different light.
I’m referring to “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein, a beautifully touching story of a boy and his favorite tree; a tree that gave him shade, branches to climb, and apples to eat.

As a young child, I interpreted “The Giving Tree” as just a story. Of course, I sensed a mild undertone of meaning, but at that young an age, it was far too complex for my fledgling mind to comprehend. Now, as I find this story unexpectedly popping up in my life again, I realize the tragic and powerful message Silverstein’s tale possesses. It’s absolutely beautiful, and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to realize it.

I refer to my recent reunion with “The Giving Tree” only to draw comparison to Pixar’s latest masterpiece, “Up.” As with all Pixar films, I feel the creative minds behind the studio’s now 10 films enter their movies with a similar mindset to Silverstein. Creating something truly magical, truly meaningful, and truly memorable. Something that can appeal to every age, touch every person, and provoke every emotion.

Young children will view “Up” as a rigorous adventure film with a cranky old man, an annoying young wilderness explorer, talking dogs, a crazy-colored bird and of course, a house that is set afloat by a myriad of multi-colored helium balloons. But as these children grow older, they will stumble upon this movie again, and after re-watching it will begin to understand what makes “Up” so much deeper than it appears.
The film opens on an old-style film highlighting the Spirit of Adventure, led by the adventurous Charles Muntz. Carl Fredricksen, a young boy in pilot gear and oversized goggles, sits attentively in the front row, hanging on every word.

After the film, the boy’s imagination takes flight as he sails down the sidewalks of his suburbia, balloon in hand, pretending he’s on the Spirit of Adventure himself. He stops in front of an old house as he hears the distant sounds of adventurous play emerging from the squalid exterior. He enters, not knowing what to expect, and encounters a young girl named Ellie, a girl with a similar affinity for Charles Muntz and the Spirit of Adventure.

The two become fast friends, and Ellie shows Carl her Adventure Book, a scrapbook containing all of the things she plans to do in life, most notably visiting the mysterious Paradise Falls in South America. She makes Carl cross his heart and swear that he will take her there one day. He swears.
Flashbulbs burst. We cut to the wedding of a now adult Carl and Ellie. The couple works together at the local zoo — Ellie with the animals and Carl as a balloon vendor.

Years pass, they attempt to have a baby, but it appears Ellie is unable to bear children. More years pass, and they stumble upon the Adventure Book tucked away in a shelf. They begin collecting change so they can execute their dream of visiting Paradise Falls. But their car breaks down, a storm wrecks their house, and the jar keeps having to be emptied, over and over again. Then Ellie begins to grow weak and eventually dies, leaving Carl alone with the regret that he never followed through on his promise to bring Ellie to Paradise Falls.

But the rest of “Up” is where the fun and adventure begins. Refusing to lose his beloved home to construction crews and contractors, Carl sets his house afloat using millions of helium balloons.

As he finds himself up in the sky and far away from the torment of society, a knock is heard at his door. A young wilderness explorer named Russell has stowed away on Carl’s porch. The two characters embark on a journey through South America, complete with a hilarious talking dog named Dug (as well as a few not-so-nice canines) and a colorfully creative bird whom Russell names Kevin.

Adventure ensues, and to reveal anything else would ruin my conscience as well as your surprise upon witnessing the true wonder of “Up.” The film’s ultimate message is one that focuses on the true meaning of adventure.

Carl regrets not ever taking Ellie to Paradise Falls like he swore, but he realizes by the end that the relationship he had with this woman, the love of his life, was the greatest adventure of all. “Up” is a film that spirals in on this aspect, through both the opening scenes, a moment where Russell discusses his parent’s divorce, as well as cuter, lighter moments involving characters like Dug or Kevin. Our life is all about the relationships we form, keep, and remember.

MOVIE REVIEW
‘Up’
4 stars