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Why You and Your Kids Should See Pixar's 'UP'
Categories: Divorce & Custody, Media
What I got was a more than a pleasant surprise. "Up" is a rare find. A diamond in a pile of cultural rubbish served up to kids these days. Stripped of much of the cynicism and reliance on bodily functions of so many modern animated films, "Up" is written to respect kids' intelligence and sense of humor. Just as important, it is a first-rate commercial movie that isn't afraid to be wholesome - evidence that films for kids can be highly entertaining and simultaneously reinforce virtues such as love, kindness, empathy, and courage.
Kids Movies 2009
Earth
Disney's first nature film follows three animal families -- polar bears, elephants, and humpback whales -- on their journey across the planet. And for every ticket sold during the film's opening week, Disney will plant a tree in your family's honor. Have fun and do good.
Disney
Hannah Montana: The Movie
If you have a tween girl in your house, you've probably known about this movie for months. It's essentially a longer version of the Disney Channel TV show, but with new songs and a slightly more complex plot. Your daughter will love it, and you'll be happy you took her. We promise.
Disney
Up
The latest in this year's crop of 3D movies is the improbable story of a crotchety old man and an excitable little boy who fall into the adventure of a lifetime. Kids will love the 3D technology, and parents will appreciate the humor and fast-moving plot.
Disney/Pixar
Coraline
Newbery Award winner Neil Gaiman's magic realist novella comes to the big screen in a mesmerizing, scary adaptation. Coraline's new flat has a secret door in it; on the other side is a world just like hers but seemingly so much better -- until she discovers it's frightening secrets. This is definitely a big kids movie.
Focus Features
Hotel for Dogs
What happens when you combine kindhearted siblings, and empty house, and a pack of stray dogs? Why, the Hotel for Dogs, of course! The perfect film for kids who love dogs (but be prepared for post-movies pleas for a puppy).
Nickelodeon
Inkheart
Meggie's father has a magical power: when he reads aloud, stories come to life. Now Meggie must rescue him from a fictional villain come to life. Brendan Fraser stars as the supercool bibliophile dad in a film guaranteed to get kids interested in reading.
New Line Cinema
Pink Panther Deux
While most parents will roll their eyes at the thought of another Pink Panther Movie, kids will love Steve Martin's slapstick humor and funny mispronunciations. Take the kids and try to remember what it was like to watch the original Pink Panther movies -- you might find yourself laughing at the pratfalls, too.
Sony Pictures
Under the Sea
The first in the year's crop of 3D movies for kids, Under the Sea is a documentary about the costal regions of Southern Australia, New Guinea and the Indo-Pacific. Narrated by Jim Carrey, this is a movie that will thrill and educate the kids.
IMAX
Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience
Not willing to take your tween to a Jonas Brothers concert? How about the next best thing -- the 3D concert movie! Earplugs recommended if you're over 16.
Walt Disney Pictures
Race to Witch Mountain
Remember back when kids movies were smart and funny and exciting, like Escape to Witch Mountain? Here's hoping that the sequel will be all of that. But really, any story about a UFO expert and two kids with paranormal powers is the perfect Saturday afternoon matinee, for kids and parents.
Walt Disney Pictures
The main character is an elderly and curmudgeonly widower named Carl. The film begins with a charming depiction of Carl's pre-digital age childhood – a much-needed reminder to today's parents of the unchanging importance of play and imagination in a child's life - and introduces us to Carl's playmate, Ellie. Ellie eventually becomes Carl's soul mate and wife and the subsequent love story that unfolds without words and set to music (clearly an homage to Charlie Chaplin) is an unforgettable movie moment as powerful as anything seen on screen before. The sweet and indelible impression left by this sequence does more than color the rest of the film, it has the potential to color the adult viewer's life: Reinforcing one's commitment to love and family and encouraging a reexamination of life's priorities.
For all its retro charm, "Up" does not shy away from themes of alienation and the problems of modern life. Most poignantly, it tackles the thorny and sadly too common issue of divorce, from the perspective of the child, Russell, an earnest and thoroughly lovable Junior Wilderness Explorer (think Cub Scout) determined to earn his "elderly badge" in hopes that his absent dad might show up to the ceremony and pin the award on him with all the other dads. I couldn't help but wonder how many fathers – divorced or not – might see the film and be touched by Russell's innocence and how he experiences and deals with the pain of his father's lack of involvement in his life.
This film will do more than entertain kids and adults. It's likely to encourage parents to play catch with their child, build a tree house out back, or, as Russell reminisced that he once did with his dad, share an ice-cream cream cone while counting cars. I say go see "Up" because any movie that encourages us to slow down, enjoy life's simple pleasures and savor fleeting childhoods is well worth the price of admission.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bobbi croft 6-16-2009 @ 10:11PM
You are so on target with your discription of this movie, we saw it last weekend at the drive in and my youngest son still asks everyday if we can go see it again. GREAT MOVIE
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Derrick 6-17-2009 @ 3:50AM
Great movie description! I watched this about 2 weeks ago, and realized this one was probably going to have to be added to my DVD collection when it comes out. I knew it would probably be good (most movies from Pixar are) but this was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time!
Chere 6-17-2009 @ 12:05PM
It sounds like a great movie. It is good to hear that there is a kid's movie that is actually an appropriate kid'd movie! What ages would you reccomend see the film?
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Sifrina 6-17-2009 @ 7:28PM
My boss really wants me to see this movie - she described it alot like you did (welling up with tears even at one point!). Only thing that gave me pause was the issue with the cub scout - it made me sad to hear of his situation and I wasn't sure I could handle something like that...But I'll definitely consider it!
One thing I really want to see is "Night at the Smithsonian," since we live near DC and often go to these museums. I'll need to see it first to make sure it's ok for my 7 year old.
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maritza 6-18-2009 @ 2:13PM
omgosh! i love this movie! i went to watch it with my litle sistrs. it was humorous and very sad for me. i cried in like three parts. my litle sistrs loved it too. i was very touched by it that i took my boyfrind to see it too lol
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Amy 6-18-2009 @ 9:10PM
I can't imagine you going to a movie without checking out the reviews/content first. I'm glad you enjoyed it though. Great movie!
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Eric 6-26-2009 @ 11:14PM
Pixar makes good movies consistently, before and after the Disney takeover. I saw it last Sunday with a friend of mine - two late-teens sitting alone in the theater. We were probably the youngest people there.
Wall-E remains one of my favourite movies... just because they're animated doesn't mean they're for little kids.
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