Up: The Aftermath
Where Wall•E fans were prompted to feel defensive of their love of the personality-filled robot and his Apple-like companion, fans of Up are in good company. Since its release on May 26, Up has received almost exclusively positive reviews. RottenTomatoes (RT) lists only a few rotten reviews on their site, so Up achieves a 98% fresh rating. In fact, RT’s consensus on the movie is that it’s “Another masterful work of art from Pixar, Up is an exciting, hilarious, and heartfelt adventure impeccably crafted and told with wit and depth.”
I fully admit that I feel like a bit of a fangirl finding such a positive reception to a movie that comes from one of my favorite places. Up’s commercial appeal has been under scrutiny since before its release even at Cannes, but I think the movie, for what it is, will do just fine. There may not be as many tie-in toys as there would be for a movie like, say, Toy Story (1, 2, or 3), but it is clearly going to sell well on DVD. Pixar only has to find a way to harness the commercial appeal of its characters (and I could think of a few ways that they could if they really needed to), and it’s got a good baseline for this film.
Also telling for Up‘s success is its box office numbers so far. The movie has been out for just over one week, and it has grossed over 93 million dollars so far. Its opening weekend (68 million) ranks as the third largest for all ten Pixar films (The Incredibles had the biggest at 70.4 million on opening weekend, and Finding Nemo had 70.2 million). It’s currently over halfway to overtaking Pixar’s lowest grossing film (A Bug’s Life) in the rankings for highest grossing Pixar film. Will it get that title? I don’t know. But as far as appeal goes, Pixar’s got a smash hit on its hands with this one, and I, for one, would love to see Up ascend to new heights of box office gold for Pixar. (Hah, see what I did there?)
I’ve seen Up three times so far – once on opening day, once at a Drive-In coupled with another film, and once in 3-D. It held up to three watches outstandingly, and while I’m done seeing it in the theaters, I can’t wait to see it again. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting for DVD release. (Le’ts hope this one isn’t a fiasco like Wall•E”s release was!)
Sources:
- RottenTomatoes
- Box Office Mojo [1] [2]
2 Comments on “Up: The Aftermath”
Why would anyone fell defensive about loving WALL-E? It’s a better movie than Up. It’s a better movie than most movies. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a complete and utter loser. Also, WALL-E won many Best Film awards last year. Don’t expect the same level of respect for Up come awards season this year, because again, Up is not as good of a film as WALL-E. Sorry to break it to you, but that’s a fact.
@Matt: You’re confusing fact with opinion. While I adore Wall•E, I would not claim that it is far and away better than Up. As far as which is better, I couldn’t say – they’re very different movies.
I should also mention that calling someone whose opinion may differ from yours a “complete and utter loser” is not a way of making friends or of making your opinion look more valid.
As far as the attention that Up may or may not get awards-wise, I couldn’t speak to that. I think the awards are mostly pandering anyway, and don’t pay any particular attention to them other than to make note. If it does get awards, it will mean even more, given its release so early in the season of eligibility, so that’s something to consider as well.
I’m sure you wouldn’t deny that Up is a good film (to bring things back on topic!).