Up (2009) Review


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Let’s start by showing y’all the trailers, shall we?

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🌐 Non-Spoiler Plot Overview

Up follows Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman who’s lived a quiet, bittersweet life after losing the love of his life, Ellie. When developers try to force him into a retirement home, Carl decides he’s done with the world. He ties thousands of balloons to his house and sets off on an adventure to South America—a trip he and Ellie had always dreamed of but never took. What he doesn’t expect is the accidental stowaway: an eager, awkward, badge-obsessed boy scout named Russell.

Carl’s motivation is deeply emotional. He’s not just trying to fulfill a promise—he’s trying to feel close to Ellie again. The film becomes a wild adventure about grief, healing, and the unexpected people who help us move forward.


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🤵 Character Rundown

Carl Fredricksen: A grumpy old man with a heart full of grief and guilt. He’s dealing with massive loss and finds purpose again through Russell.

Russell: A hyper, lonely kid desperate for parental attention who just wants to earn his final scout badge.

Dug: A golden retriever with a talking collar. Endlessly loyal, sweet, and stupid in the best way.

Kevin: A rare tropical bird that Russell names and protects.

Charles Muntz: The once-revered explorer who inspired Carl as a child. Disgraced after being accused of faking a discovery, Muntz became obsessed with capturing the elusive bird to reclaim his honor. He’s spent decades in isolation chasing Kevin, slowly losing it.
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⏱️ Pacing / Episode Flow

Up has a very balanced flow. The first ten minutes are some of the most masterful storytelling in animation history—silent, heartbreaking, and real. From there, the movie maintains a good mix of adventure, humor, and introspection. The middle does slow slightly when introducing Kevin and Muntz’s backstory, but it picks up fast with airship chases, talking dogs, and chaotic rescues.


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✅ Pros

The opening montage. Still emotionally devastating to this day.

Strong emotional storytelling—without ever feeling manipulative.

Brilliantly animated and imaginative concept.

Carl’s growth is one of the most satisfying arcs in Pixar’s library.

Dug. Just… Dug.



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❌ Cons

The plot twist involving Muntz is a little predictable.

The third act feels slightly rushed compared to the emotional depth of the first two.

The realism of Carl’s house floating via balloons is obviously nonsense—but hey, it’s Pixar logic.



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📝 Final Thoughts

Up isn’t just about going on a physical adventure—it’s about letting go of the weight we carry when someone we love is gone. Carl begins the story dragging his house (his memories, his grief, his guilt) and ends by realizing that love isn’t tied to objects, it’s tied to moments and the people still with us.

Russell becomes more than a tagalong. He becomes the person who shows Carl that family can be found in the most unexpected places. And Dug? Dug is a golden gift wrapped in tail wags and broken English.

A few standout funny moments? Absolutely:

Dug, on repeat: “I was hiding under your porch because I love you.”

Carl asking Russell if he talks too much, and Russell innocently replies, “I like to talk.”



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⭐ Rating: 10/10

This is Pixar at its finest.


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⚠️ Spoiler Warning – Spoilers Below! ⚠️

So here’s where everything takes off—literally and emotionally.

Carl and Russell eventually track down the mythical bird, Kevin, only to discover that Charles Muntz, Carl’s childhood hero, is very much alive. But plot twist: he’s now the villain. Why? Because he became so obsessed with proving Kevin’s existence that he’s willing to kidnap, cage, and even kill anyone who gets in his way.

Yes, on one hand, I get it—when obsession and the desire to prove yourself take over your life, it can twist you into something dark. But dude, you invented talking dog collars! You could’ve patented that, gone back home, and been a billionaire with a Nobel Peace Prize. But noooo—you just had to go full “National Geographic: Villain Edition.”

Eventually, after a chaotic mid-air dogfight (yes, there’s a literal flying house battle involving dogs in tiny planes), Muntz is defeated when he becomes tangled in his own gear while chasing Kevin and falls off the dirigible to his death. It’s a grim yet fitting end for a man who let pride consume him more than the skies ever could.

Meanwhile, Carl and Russell rescue Kevin, make it back safely, and Carl finally lets go of his grief—literally and symbolically—as he watches his house float away, finally at peace.