An UPlifting tale

Writer: Lai Swee Wei

Russell (L) and Carl Fredricksen embark on an amazing journey to South America.

19 Aug – "Up" is the 10th animation from Disney/Pixar, which has gone nine for nine with an unprecedented streak of hugely successful films, including "WALL•E," "Ratatouille," "Cars," "The Incredibles," "Finding Nemo," "Monsters, Inc.," "Toy Story 2," "A Bug's Life" and "Toy Story." Directed by Academy Award®-nominated director Pete Docter with co-director/writer Bob Peterson, "Up" is the story of 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America.

Delving into the story behind "Up," Docter said that time after the end of a tough day at work, he would fantasize being shipwrecked on a desert island in the Pacific. "Bob and I began playing with that idea and started having some fun thinking about an 'old man' character like the ones we love from the George Booth cartoons in 'The New Yorker,' and all those great Spencer Tracy and Walter Matthau type of guys who are grouchy but you still like them. We came up with this image of a floating house held aloft by balloons, and it just seemed to capture what we were after in terms of escaping the world. We quickly realised that the world is really about relationships, and that's what Carl comes to discover."

Redeem two passes by being the first 20 to wear or purchase a Cinnamon t-shirt at Cinema Online booth during our special screenings.

Peterson explains, "We started brainstorming because we both liked the idea of having an older character. It's something you don't see very often, and we think that old people have great stories to tell."

"Along with the humour, you have to have heart," says John Lasseter, executive producer and chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. "Walt Disney always said, 'For every laugh, there should be a tear.' I believe in that." Filmmakers found a lot of heart in their latest adventure, exploring the love that Carl and his late wife shared and the friendship that develops between Carl and an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer, Russell.

A special preview screening of "Up" was held on 17 Aug 2009 at GSC Pavilion KL, where Cinema Online "Up" contest winners got to enjoy the film in 2-D digital format. Two passes were also given away to the first 20 people who appear in a Cinnamon t-shirt or purchase one on the spot at the Cinema Online booth for RM20. This opportunity to score free passes will run for all Cinema Online screenings till the end of September.

After the movie, we asked some of our viewers "What they thought of the movie and how many stars would they rate it out of five".

Tan Yaw Han (R): "Up" was better than expected! It was quite good and the story was very touching. I enjoyed their adventure around South America, the setting was perfect. I'd give 4. 5 stars!

Koh Hong Ying (L): It was great! "Up" was meaningful and fun to watch. Definitely one of the most heartfelt animation flicks I've seen. I enjoyed the way the story was narrated, very creative. 5 stars!

Hilary: It was very good, funny and one of the better animations I've seen so far. I enjoyed the creativity and the message of fulfilling your dreams no matter at what age you are. Carl's story was truly touching. It would've been better in 3-D though. 4.5 stars!