Review of Docter's Up

This movie speaks to me in a profound way. Its wonderfully imaginative animation and incredible story is a sincere look into human love and life.The direction of this film coupled with the editing of sequences gives this movie such a fluid feel and there is never a boring moment. The "married life" sequence of Carl and Ellie is one of the most beautifully done time lapse sequences I've seen in a movie. It gives me chills every time I see the progression of the couple from newly weds to finally Ellie's death, the mood is set so skillfully. The symmetry of each shot, from the wedding alter, to the house, to the chairs, to the zoo, to the family room and the funeral alter, ties the movement of time together very well. The colors and lighting in every shot parallels the couple's experiences in life. Everything in the beginning is bright and warm and colorful because Carl and Ellie are overjoyed to be together. The slow pans show a pace of life that the couple is comfortable with. A very symbolic shot is the pan from the painting of the wide-open newborn's room, to the claustrophobic obstetrician's room. The colors go from vibrant and diverse to cold and grey, and without any dialogue, the bad news is easily understood and conveyed to the audience. Music is super important when trying to communicate mood in film, and this whole sequence has no dialogue, only music. The score imparts tone so impeccably; when life is good and things are upbeat, a full ensemble and upbeat tempo accompany the couple. When things are sombre or humbling, a stringed instrument or piano plays the haunting melody at a much slower tempo, and the transitions change from jump cuts to fades. Not only is time changed through appearance of the characters its also told through lighting, like in the jar/coin collecting sequence, or with style like in the creative and genius tie sequence. I know I have focused on this beginning sequence, but the whole movie is filled with incredible color and mood and music, and the dialogue between Russell and Carl is heartwarming to say the least. This is a feel-good movie and is one of the better animated movies I have ever seen.