I thought “The Incredibles” was simply the most perfect brilliant film Pixar has produced.
Somehow they managed to move the bar even higher. Or should we say deeper.
I thought it was exceptional. Alternating between touching and funny, exhiliterating and profound. The opening ten minutes – which lead to the “present” in which most of the film takes place – is almost unmatched for its beauty and emotional depth.
And no one says anything.
This is particularly important when you are watching the movie with two Americans on your left and two Chinese visiting scholars on your right. The ones on the right might not understand every word – in movies by and for native English speakers the dialogue is fast and full of colloquialisms. And so to convey a story visually – one notices that.
How much can a movie convey without the burden of excessive dialogue or overwhelming music. One thing I have noticed about many American films is how much they employ the soundtrack to tell you what you should be feeling. Cue those violins! Blare those trumpets! Pound those drums! Be sad! Be thrilled! Be frightened!
Which is not to deny that “Up” does incorporate music – and very well. The gentle piano tune that runs through most of the film. But I do not think it is the music itself that says “feel this way now” as much as it helps unite certain thematic elements and parts of the story.
The visuals – especially once the movie is in South America – are remarkable. And the small touches – such as when at last the house drifts off… into the clouds. Nice touch.
There is more meaning and thought in the movie than one can describe. How many issues and questions and situations in life does the film explore? Love. Friendship. Adventure. Dreams. Fame. Honor. Shame. Status. Power. Death. Age. Youth. Family. Parents. Marriage. Childlessness. Disappointment. Loss. Attachment. Freedom… one hardly knows where to stop. There is a tremendous amount of thought in the film. Like the finest of novels that grow gradually and out of years of wisdom and experience.
And yet part of the brilliance of the film – and this I want to emphasize – is that it does not club you over the head with these things. The characters do not sit around talking about aging and dying and grief and so on. The story… happens. And in the story with its characters (of course) the meaning is there for us to consider and explore.
And the small funny touches. I admire and appreciate details. Like the dogs. We have a dog. We love our dog very much. And the dogs in the movie… that is just what dogs are like. Squirrel! I hate squirrels! We can make our dog want to go outside (usually) just by saying “Skippy – get the squirrel!”
The voice of alpha dog. The chatter between the pilots when they first attack the house. (Very nice touch. Very nice indeed.) I thought the whole dining scene was hysterial. “Nice choice” and then they open and pour – and drop – the bottle. Carl’s beard.
And yes there is theology – there is the “gospel” – in this movie. But let me come back to that later. We leave for our first real family holiday (no funerals family or conferences) tomorrow. And I am not taking my computer.
You did notice that last sentence right?
A few last comments.
When I first saw the trailers for “Up” I thought “This looks stupid. Oh please I do not want Pixar to churn out a turkey. A flying house?!? You gotta be kidding me”. Nearly everyone I know who has seen the movie says the same thing. Indeed – look at the movie posters. How much do they tell you? (This issue will be raised in English Conversation next June 12 – a lesson that focuses on movie reviews.)
That is why I chose the poster above rather than the more popular one with Russell and Carl. Just a house floating through the skies.
I have seen many movies by Hiyao Miyazaki. And this one might reflect some influence(?) more than any other Pixar movie I have seen. How many Miyazaki films take place largely in the air (or sky)? And what does that mean?
