Student Film Reviews

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1. William Conlin 06.03.09 / 4pm

   Byron, you beat me to this review by a few hours, but I’m fine with that because you said everything I was planning to say. I don’t think I’ve agreed with you more on a review to this date. I felt this was Pixar’s best yet and after a quick review of upcoming releases I think it’ll be hard for anything to top this as the year’s best animated film.
2. Nico Maestu 06.03.09 / 7pm

   Willliam — write the review anyway! I’m sure you will have something to say that differs from Byron.
3. Julian Wan 06.18.09 / 10am

   I’ve always been a big fan of Pixar. From childhood into adulthood (maybe post adolescent, I’m only legally an adult) I’ve seen every movie with the same goofy smile plastered to my face. The films this studio make are endearing and full of heart.

   Your review is dead on. Pixar takes a leap into adult themes without compromising it’s family appeal. The shock of the construction worker’s bloody forehead to the plainly depicted death of Ellie… it’s all part of Pixar’s appeal.

   The studio is able to captivate children and adults alike with heartwarming stories created to entertain, not profit. The subtle and witty jokes like the ‘dogfight’ serve the adult audience. And while other animation steer clear of even admitting things like alcohol exists, Pixar lets Muntz order a fine port wine, from his dog.

   The imagination of the studio is unlimited. I agree with your review that this is Pixar’s best to date.

   I think you’ll appreciate this:
   
4. Alexis Gold 06.21.09 / 11pm

   This movie is a pixtar classic. It is made for children and depending on the parents attitude can hit or miss in the older generation. Little kids love it because of the classic humor and bright colors shown in the film, also adding 3d which leads to small children enjoying it even more. Up, so far has been loved by most, but like the author if this review stated, enjoying this film is based on the viewers preferences. An audience member of this film must go into the theater with a specific outlook on the film. Being to serious will not make this film enjoyable and being to critical will not help either. A grown up must put there mind set into one a small child’s to truly enjoy this film. The love story is cute and the plot of the movie is not stupid, it is just catered to the younger audience leaving it to be more fruity and less intelligent.
5. Tim Ritter 06.23.09 / 10am

   I couldn’t agree more that this is Pixar’s best yet and likely to be the best animated film of the year. It is one of my top 3 movies of the year overall. One thing I think you forgot- the 3D version is a must see! Visually, it is absolutely stunning and utterly impressive. Any time an adult can watch an animated, family appropriate film, while wearing giant, dorky 3D glasses, and still call it a great date movie, you’ve done something right. I agree completely that the beginning with young Ellie and the montage of their lives was one of the best segments of the film. I was captivated by the imagery and the storyline from the first minute and the rest of it held to expectation. Great film. Good review.
6. Ashley Adams 06.24.09 / 6pm

   I couldn’t agree more with Julian’s comment. My love affair with Pixar began when they teamed up with Disney to create Toy Story. While the movie was obviously a hit with the classic Disney audience (what kid doesn’t believe their toys can secretly talk?) it was also appealing to adults with its sly, witty, and sometimes provocative banter. Every character feels real, like someone you could know in real life. Pixar has not only maintained but surpassed their own standards since Toy Story, with hits like Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, Finding Nemo and Ratatouille.

   Up was heartwarming and funny. Carl is the typical old man, part crumudgen and part loveable grandpa; Roger is the typical little boy, part adventurer and part clutz. The dymanic of the two characters is not only realistic but entertaining, and the 3D glasses make the movie experience all the more silly and exciting for kids and adults alike.
7. Matthew Smith 06.28.09 / 3pm

   Once again another film that I have not had the opportunity to see, but I have definite plans to see it after reading all of these great reviews. I too have always been a fan of Pixar and their ability to make films that appeal to all ages. I also have not seen a 3d film since Captain Eo at Disneyland. Could this film possibly be compared to Harold and Maude with the youth and the elderly learning from one another. I don’t know I guess I will find out soon enough. The comment about the human bleeding is very interesting because even though Pixar has always been able to appeal to all ages that is something that I imagine they left out for the children’s sake in the past. Maybe they are trying to show real consequences to violence. I will have to do another post after viewing the film.
8. Brian Powers 06.29.09 / 12pm

   I thought that Up was an amzing movie that appealed to both young and old audiences alike. The visual affects of it lets a young child’s imagination run wild, but also the heart warming story line of Carl and Ellie’s lives hits home of any old adult or parent. I enjoyed the spirit of adventure that was seen through out the film and let one see that you are never to old to lose that youthful feeling that we all share growing up. The way we see Carl transition from the angry old man as a result of Russel’s goofy attitude is one of my favorite parts of the film. We see Russel bring out the young in Carl again and remind him of the life he had spent with Ellie.
9. Matthew Miller 06.30.09 / 6pm

   Great review, it touches on many of the positive aspects of Up but there are a few setbacks in my mind. Up starts off with an incredibly enjoyable tale of two people growing old together. This was definitely my favorite part of the movie and one of the only Pixar scenes that had the potential to tear me up a bit. After this enjoyable fifteen minutes the movie tapers off quite a bit until it finally begins to pick up as the old man begins to fight for his wife’s long lost dream. Up leaves me hoping for more films this emotionally strung by Pixar in the future; Up was a huge step in a new direction.
10. Claudia Barreda 07.01.09 / 12pm

    I watched “Up” at the Arlington 3D movie theater. I thought the story was very sentimental, it seem like a drama at the beginning. How the lady dies and the old man is all alone and they try to take him to a retirement home so that a contractor can built on his property, it made my cry. Then the adventure begins. The idea of putting hundreds of helium balloons and fly his house to South America was an idea that every child have dream about when having a helium balloon. The talking dog was hilarious, as a dog owner I always dream of knowing what my dog is trying to say. Overall is a funny Disney movie that every family should watch.
11. Elaine Galang 07.01.09 / 9pm

    Agreeing with those who have posted before me, this review really captures the experience of the film. Without even knowing what the film was about, I jumped at seeing the new animated Pixar flick. Pixar has yet to disappoint (even their shorts preceding the actual film are greatly entertaining). The fast paced beginning was certainly a highlight but also greatly served the audience’s ability to follow the rest of the story. Without showing the depth of love and devotion Carl and Ellie have for one another, the audience could not create an emotional attachment to these characters and possibly would lose interest in the farfetched adventures that Carl and Russell take. However, this is not the case and Pixar certainly triumphs in capturing the attention of the young and young-at-heart.
12. Starr Edwards 07.01.09 / 10pm

    I agree that “Up” is a heartwarming film with remarkable animation. The montage at the beginning was one of the most touching products that I have ever seen from our generation of filmmakers. It was genuine and sweet and upheld a certain regard for contentment in life that is all but lost nowadays. Leave it to a PG film to invoke the most emotion. I felt you had a very good thought on the bloodied head scene. This caught me off guard too, but I thought it is validly placed and remarkable that they could produce such an effect. I also agree with the few cinematic plateaus that were mentioned, specifically with the plot development in the latter half. The storyline with Carl and Ellie was rock solid, but I found Russell’s story (father issues, need to free Kevin, need to be rescued) a little less watertight.
13. Ali Boulger 07.01.09 / 11pm

    I completely agree with this review about the film, Up. I took my five year old niece to see it, with the expectations of any other cartoon movie. I was shocked when I left the theatre. It suddenly became my favorite Pixar movie. It was warm, funny, touching, and lovable. Although I did not find it necessary we did see it in 3D, and I didn’t think was necessary. I loved that it not only was appealing to myself, but my niece as well. It is not often that a nineteen year old and a five year old really enjoy the same thing. The times that Ellie and Carl were together with the music playing in the background was beautiful and the times spent between Russel and Carl were mostly funny. Everything from the colors, the special effects, the adventures, the instrumental music played throughout the film, and the characters different personalities all made it for an enjoyable movie.
14. Courtney Duran 07.02.09 / 3pm

    Pixar has yet again created another great film that involves a unique story line hilarious and enjoyable to all audiences. Up’s was a classic take on everyone’s dreams of being able to fly, travel to an exotic land and see talking animals. I too agree with Bryon that the story of Carl and Ellie was fast in the beginning that it only left you wanting more. The relationship of the two was so touching it made the film deeper than just a regular comedy animation. I’d have to say Russel was my favorite part of Up though. The one liners of Russel and Carl’s reaction to them were very clever and made classic lines. I liked the imagination Up brought and the idea that we can all think like little kids again.
15. Xian Yngojo-Wang 07.02.09 / 9pm

    Up was a very sweet and touching movie. My friends informed me that Up was going to be very sad and told me that many people in the theaters cried. Even mentioned the people said the 3D glasses where there to hide the tears. I had a preconceived judgment that this film was going to be the saddest film ever. When I watched it, I thought it was going to be sadder than it actually was. I thought this film was kind of corny and cliché. A lot of the things that happened were not plausible. I did however, like the graphics and the character Russell. He was a likable character because he was adorable and funny.
16. Ashley Duckgeischel 07.03.09 / 7pm

    This review does an excellent job of relaying the storyline and general qualities of the Blockbuster Pixar film Up! The writer does a wonderful job of sharing his warm response to the film, while engaging the potential viewer to appreciate these wonderful aspects of the film as well. I feel that the reviewer may have lacked in his perspective, as he does not seem to equate the content of the film with the potential audience. Because Up! and other Pixar films are created for children, it begs the question of whether the story of a widower should be the primary focus for families to enjoy as entertainment. Overall, the reviewer does a fabulous job or relaying the charming and heartwarming aspects of this film.
17. Alex Prince 07.03.09 / 7pm

    This review does a great job in giving an informative and rich look into the film without giving anything too crucial away. Up was a very warm and heartfelt film as most Pixar films usually are. The review made a very good point in mentioning the interesting start to the film. As a viewer you came expecting one thing and ended up seeing the evolution of an incredible relationship that ended as soon as it had started. The quick blurp into the life of the old man really got you gripped into the story line and made you wanting more. The aspect of looking beyond the possible and plausible, to me, is really not a problem for the film and does not necessarily hurt the film because I think that the audience of Pixar films know exactly what they are coming to see. They come wanting to be engaged beyond their own imagination. Overall the review did a good job in giving the wonderfully charming film justice and gave justice to the good points throughout the film itself.
18. Karina Villicana 07.04.09 / 10pm

    This was by far one of the best films Pixar has made up to date. Not only was this a great movie to take the kids to, but it had so many “adult” themes that I appreciated very much. Never before have I seen a child’s movie that includes such difficulties as a couple’s inability to have children, death of a spouse, and a child with an absent father from his life.
    This movie was perfect for me to enjoy with my mother and younger sisters. Throughout the entire time we were either laughing, crying, or simply waiting with excitement to see what would happen next. I believe that Pixar is moving in the right direction if it continues to make films like this, and will absolutely have a broader range of individuals who will pay to see their movies.
19. Brendan Keane 07.17.09 / 7pm

    I really enjoyed this movies interesting use of dogs for henchmen. By giving animals the ability to talk through technology it created an interesting anthropomorphic atmosphere. There was a broad range of personalities within the dog pack, and also intellegences, which created an amicably subliminal message that animals are sentient beings as well. Along with the montage of a lifetime of strife and dreams unfulfilled, this movie also pointed at the human ego with a harsh finger of judgement. This movie is a proverbial rollercoaster of fun hewn from a block of drama and comedy. Go see it if you haven’t.
20. Abigail Currie 07.17.09 / 10pm

    I really enjoyed watching this movie along with what seems like the majority of those who have posted before me. I thought the animation was amazing and I loved how there was real-life issues that the characters had to deal with. Usually Disney films really only scrape the surface of these issues and I like how this one did not. All the different characters personalities were very interesting. I do agree with this review on the issue that the fast-forward of the couple’s life went by too quickly. I wish there had been a longer development of their lives together. Even though the development was so quick, I still found myself becoming very attached to these characters and really feeling Carl’s pain in losing the love of his life. All in all this was a great movie and even though I did not see it in 3-D, I still felt like I was flying through the air with the Carl and Russell.
21. Cynthia Pinedo 08.26.09 / 1pm

    I had great hopes for Up, and they were definitely surpassed when I saw the film. I loved it so much that I even saw it two days in a row..in 3-D, even! What I loved about the 3-D aspect in this film was that it isn’t cheesy; it’s more about dimensions in terms of how proportional buildings are versus a street, or dimensions in terms of distance. I loved the story of Ellie and Carl from the time they met, to them living in the house that they grew up playing in. The quick death was blunt and made me sad, but I liked that it wasn’t just a movie full of one emotion, and that I felt many along the way. There was suspense, a lot of comedy, drama, and adventure. So many themes in a children’s movie, but I loved it. What I liked most is that it spoke to several different age groups, and that anyone could enjoy it. Up was a very heartfelt movie that left you satisfied.
22. Amy Allen 09.17.09 / 7pm

    This was one of Pixar’s best movies they’ve made by far. They were not only able to make this a children movie, but also an adult story. The children see it as a funny, bright adventure for this man and a boy scout, while the parents can see that, but also that it was a love story and was sad at times. One thing that Pixar switched it up was making this person who the main characters admired and thought to be their hero, turned out to be this bad man and wasn’t who they expected to be at all. Having the dogs talk and act just like humans was fresh and different. This was such a fun and light-hearted movie that anyone can fall in love with.
23. Linda Thompson 10.11.09 / 4pm

    I took my seven year old son to see Pixar’s Up in the theater; I enjoyed it much more than my seven year old son. Pixar has a bunch of wonderfully animated movies that are not only apealing to me but more so to my son such as Finding Nemo, and Monsters Inc. Up, I feel touched on more adult subjects and actually had me in tears at one point. The film was cute, which my son took in, but a majority of the subjects and humor were adult based. My son really didn’t get any of the main points or comedy in the film. I think that Up, is a wonderful movie, but it is meant for a more mature audience than first and second graders.
24. Aubrey Catanese 10.12.09 / 7pm

    First off, I completely agree that the 3D aspect of this movie was unnecessary and actually a little disappointing. Aside from that, however, I adored this movie! I entered the theater expecting a film I may be embarrassed afterwards for seeing, but instead was happily surprised by an amazingly animated film suited for viewers of all ages. The beginning montage of Carl and Ellie’s life together was cute, however I was amazed by how sad I was when Ellie passed away! The animation was perfect, and although the 3D effects were not very prominent, they did not take away from the movie at all. In my opinion, Up is one of Pixar’s best movies of all time!
25. Eliot Shepard 11.07.09 / 3pm

    I saw Up in 3D, which I thought made it a great viewing experience. I felt this was one of Pixar’s best since Finding Nemo and Toy Story. I totally agree with your review, it was a great movie for children as well as adults. It involved the cute and colorful characters that kids love but also had a great moral at the end of the film. It also had a great combination of comedy. It was not my choice of a movie that I preferably would have gone to see, but after walking out of the movie I thought it was much more than I had imagined. If you have not seen this film, I highly suggest it.
26. Chi Truong 11.23.09 / 2pm

    I have seen this movie 3 times in total, and I think its a terrific movie. It has a wonderful and heart touching story line, that is filled with both laughter and sadness. It’s a really well rounded movie, that also has great animation. I believe that Pixar did a great job at making this movie into one of the classics that will be talked about through the years.
27. Danielle Daymude 11.27.09 / 11pm

    Although some parts of this movie were a bit distracting because of unrealistic uses of physics, I can honestly say that this was one of my favorite movies of the year. I thought it was ingenious to pair a grumpy, old curmudgeon with a happy-go lucky little kid. They make such a hilarious team. A big, feathery blue bird and talking dogs were another great addition to the endearing story about the journey of Ellie and Carl’s love. My favorite character is Kevin, the big, blue bird. Even though she doesn’t talk and we can’t hear what she’s thinking, she has a personality and demeanor that tells us exactly how she feels about her surroundings.
28. Shelby Schmitt 03.01.10 / 9pm

    Up was by far the best animated film I have seen yet, besides Finding Nemo. The beginning was very sad, but creative how there were no words spoken through the emotion Carl is going through. Meeting Russel was the Up part of Carl’s life. I love all the different adventures they go through especially when they meet Kevin and help him get back to his babies. Russel’s character was pure humor and kept me smiling through the whole film. I love that the animated film is for all ages to enjoy, and that it was such a big hit. A lot of the film was very unrealistic, for example the balloons helping Carl’s house float away. Regardless of that, all of those unrealistic events created the movie. Up is a fantastic film that everyone should get a smile out of.
29. Lu Lu 03.01.10 / 10pm

    1. My first immediate feeling towards the movie Up is sweet. The movie itself is amazing and it appealed to both young and old audiences. The visual effects make young children’s imagination go wild, while the heart warming story hits lots of old adults or parents as well. The writer does a wonderful job of sharing his warm response to the film, while engaging the potential viewer to appreciate these wonderful aspects of the film as well. All the different characters personalities were very interesting. I do agree with this review on the issue that the fast-forward of the couple’s life went by too quickly. Just like the reality, life is short and we should cherish what we’ve already had.
30. Pilar Ruiz 10.12.10 / 1pm

    This epic family film is the essence of a classic Pixar creation. The stunning animation to the humorous dialogue to the heartwarming meaning of the movie wrapped up in one created film compelled brilliance. The contrasts between the main character Carl Frederickson and the hilarious tubby, Asian Boy Scout, Russel make quite the entertaining pair. The loss of Carl’s wife, Ellie, whirled with an abundance of emotional scenes that will stay with people and give off a sense of appreciation in everyday life. The beginning of the film starts out with the young lover’s friendship and passion for adventure. Gradually, they grow older together and live a beautiful life, and Ellie passes away. The producers created a genuinely sorrowful effect with the correlation of touching music. Once the uncontrollable friendship conjures up between Carl and Russel, they go on a wild adventure to Carl’s piece of happiness and prove just how important a pinky promise can truly be.
31. Kaushik Sanyal 03.16.11 / 1pm

    This movie was so wonderful to watch, I had to watch it again immediately after the first viewing. I love animation movies and I felt that this film truly demonstrates a modern animation film today. I think this is a Disney Pixar classic that many other films will take examples from in the near future. Not only was the animation side of the film outstanding- the 3D version is even better, the story carries good morals that the audience can take and learn from. This heartwarming film is not only for little children, but can be applied to any age of any generation and that is a large part of what I feel makes a great film.
32. Lindsey Ferraris 10.18.12 / 2pm

    UP! Was a fantastic movie. I loved how this movie was animated but it was not just for children, it was for all ages. I felt Up told a better love story in 2 minutes than most “romantic” movies do in 2 hours. It was so easy to watch and had a very upbeat mood to it. It had all the different kinds of character, the grumpy old man, the wild little kid, a hyper dog, a mean evil character and his evil dogs, and it had Kevin (my favorite) bird. This movie had lessons in it the entire time and it was very inspirational. I loved how in the beginning it was very happy and then sad, but while they told the love story there was no words being spoken, just the characters faces and body language is what we got to feed off of. They did an incredible job with that part of the movie. The house with the balloons was very clever too!
33. Manpreet Toor 07.06.13 / 6pm

    Up has been one of the most heartwarming and interesting animated films I have seen. It acquires many aspects that the audience loves, such as: love, happiness, determination, and friendship. Even though it was a short part of the film, my favorite part was the meeting and departure of Carl’s loving wife Ellie. I agree with the author, they were truly a match made in heaven. After Ellie’s death, Carl sets out to make her dream come true and along the way meets a young boy scout named Russell. As the film progresses Russel teaches the old and bitter Carl how to love once again. Pete Doctor and Bob Peterson succeeded in directing an animated film that captures the attention of both the adults and children of this generation.
34. Brandyn Gabel 07.16.16 / 11am

    Pixar’s Up is by far one the my favorite animated movies of all time. It is not easy to build a solid connection between viewer and character within fifteen minutes, not to mention without words, but Up does it fantastically. So fantastically in fact, that you may shed a tear or two, or many. I love the message of this movie, and would recommend anyone who is interested in watching to to give it a go.

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