Oben

Es gibt Madagascar-Abenteuer (oder Ice-Age-Abenteuer) und es gibt südamerikanische Abenteuer. Die erste Gruppe baut auf vielen lustigen Figuren, die durch eine schlanke Linie über Familienwerte verbunden sind. In diesem südamerikanischen Abenteuer gibt es nur eine lustige Figur und der Film baut auf Themen wie vergeudete Chancen oder das Erfüllen von Träumen aus der Kindheit (die auch dunkle Seiten haben können – ein schlau dargestellter Unterschied zwischen der Wahrnehmung der Welt mit Kinderaugen und mit den Augen von Erwachsenen). Oben ist ein Animationsfilm, den nur erwachsene Zuschauer*innen in vollem Umfang zu schätzen wissen (die Kinder werden sich eher bei den Madagascar-Filmen amüsieren). Der Höhepunkt ist eine kurze Zusammenfassung des Lebens der Hauptfigur von ihrer Kindheit bis zum Alter am Anfang des Films. Wunderschön. Wenn der Film die Kinder nicht beachtet hätte (was er nicht tun konnte) und wenn der Erzählstil auch weiterhin so gewesen wäre, hätte er mein Lieblingsanimationsfilm werden können. (12.08.2009)

An animated flick that milks the emotions of the viewer with the same ease as the best live action dramas. In the moments when this happens, the simplicity and lack of originality of the story is a shame, it pops the balloons and brings down this bitter-funny gem, not in any drastic way, but enough to make it lose one star. Otherwise, I agree that the first 10 minutes are probably the best sequence I’ve ever seen in an animated film. (05.09.2009)

The puppet masters (3D) prove why it is such a success for all audience ranges. For the first time, however, I feel like they’re being overly confident. There’s no willingness to take risks or deviate in any way from the popular trend. Life’s truths caress, while the overly mentoring tone grates on the nerves. I wasn't bored, but I didn't enjoy it, and that's worse. (02.11.2009)

Es hat keinen Sinn, da um den heißen Brei heumzureden: die großen Wahrheiten des Lebens werden Sie hier abermals in keiner anderen Form als einer sehr durchschaubaren, doch darum geht´s bei Pixar ja nicht. Dieses Studio reift mit jedem Film heran und bezaubert die Kleinen dank der reichhaltigen Auffassung sowie der tollen Fähigkeit, zeitlose Kinderträume auf die Leinwand zu bringen. Die Geschichte von Carl und seinem seltsamen Gefolge wird uns an einigen Stellen mit ihren Emotionen packen (insbesondere der Rückblick am Anfang) und manchmal amüsiert ja auch die Signalgebung (für einige mag dies zwar zu infantil sein, aber sei´s drum). Es kann nicht geleugnet werden, dass dies wieder eine Zusammenstellung mehrerer Kurzfilme ist, deren Niveau zwar nicht exakt stabil ist, jedoch vom her geht der Gesamteindruck eindeutig in Richtung Himmel. (12.08.2009)

Gran Torino meets Indy in escapades à la Pixar. Some parts are great, but altogether it seems so inconsistent that it’s bothering. However, Carl is a really nice guy and his only blemish is that he’s not dubbed by Clint. The real “hero" and the dog do their CGI best to make this movie work. And they had to try hard, because this movie was moving alarmingly near to the shameful average (quite normal for Pixar). (22.08.2009)

Not only proof that it is never too late for an adventure, but also confirmation that in the right hands of a director and animator, a pearl can be made even from an unusual combination of several favorite clichés. Until now, I am amazed that a drama about unfulfilled dreams does not contradict the adventurous spectacle, but perfectly adds a deeper dimension to it. (20.08.2009)

When you get the meanness of the old grandpa, the cuteness of the little boy, and the charming Kevin into the movie, it's something to watch! Plus, the atmosphere was soooo awesome in the theater, where I was probably the oldest one there. It was only at the beginning of the second half of the movie that the kids started suspiciously excusing themselves to the toilet... there were a few minutes of boredom. (23.04.2011)

In the case of the latest animated feature film from Pixar, I fell victim to my own expectations and, above all, the enthusiasm of the newspaper critics, who gushed like a fountain and it was clear that this film was the number one film event of the year for some of them. Such a high percentage rating is truly exceptional. The same was true in four other cases, so I went to the movie theater to sit carefully so as not to collapse from the flood of impressions. During and immediately after watching, I would give it perhaps two stars, but the objective value of Up is of course significantly higher. Pixar excels in both animation and the script for a classic family spectacle for all generations, but for me, there are a few "buts." Firstly, to my taste, the story relies too much on sentimentality and nostalgia, secondly, it moves too much in the spirit of political correctness and expectations limited by a family film, whereas I would like the grandpa to be really tough on the annoying brat who intrudes into his contemplation about fulfilling his dreams from his youth, and in the spirit of classic performances by Walter Matthau, really "give it to him." I also wanted more gags and the plot didn't grab me after they arrived in Venezuela. It's strange because the creators strive for a spectacle inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World" or classic Verne-style adventures like "Five Weeks in a Balloon," which I grew up with as a boy. The idea of the flying house carried by balloons scored the most points, but it was obviously not a surprise to anyone. Overall impression: 60%. Up did not only lose to Ratatouille in my eyes but also to the robot Wall-E. (30.08.2009)

To begin with a brief thought: When did the movie theater turn into a canteen? Munch, gobble, slurp… Up is a multigenerational picture that will be enjoyed by everyone. Super action scenes, a romance of the highest caliber, and a breathtaking adventure that, in the style of old exploration films, throws one into an unknown, dangerous yet beautiful world. The storyline forms an incredible link between several lives. A pensioner who wants to complete his plan (to move) at any cost, a hunter (another pensioner) who is pursuing a trophy that constantly eludes him, a lonely boy who wants to help (pensioners) and mothers caring for their children. Add a flying house, talking dogs, a mischievous bird, and this merry-go-round of a movie becomes a whole lot of fun. (25.09.2009)

Wenn ich irgendwann die Filme von Pixar langweilig finden sollte, erschießen Sie mich lieber – ich werde wahrscheinlich nicht in Ordnung sein. Und wer weiß, vielleicht wird es auch ansteckend sein! Oben ist fast perfekt. Fast sage ich deshalb, weil ich in dem Film zwei Kleinigkeiten vermisst habe: Erstens eine Szene (sie könnte ruhig ganz kurz sein), in der man sehen würde, wie Carl alle Ballons vorbereitet, aufbläst und so weiter, und zweitens den Aufbau des Zeltes. Ansonsten bin ich sehr zufrieden. Bei dem Seniorenkampf Gehhilfe versus Schwert kamen mir die Tränen :-) (26.08.2009)

An animated flick where everyone will find something. Adults will moisten their eyes during the opening minutes that map the whole life of the main character in a unique fashion, while children will be blown away by the simple humour and action of the second half, which is surprisingly dominated by an amazing "side show": a funny dog. All of that doesn’t fit together very well at times, and we remember from Pixar definitely more plot creativity (The Incredibles) or a stronger dose of real emotions (Inside Out), but we will still fall in love with the characters and want to relive the whole adventure with them – Pixar is really unmatched in this magic... (07.05.2011)

Pixar once again surprised us with their creativity and sentiment that they can combine in such an incredibly explosive cocktail of story and humor that you won't even believe it's possible to push it any further. However, they succeeded, and "Up" is a fantastic example of how you can create an absolutely amazing film from a simple idea. It's not genius, but definitely great. (23.12.2013)