Blogger Larry Fire and his wife were lucky enough to attend a test screening of Pixar’s 2009 feature flick, Up, last night. As usual with test screenings, the feature was cut together with storyboards, rough and finished animation.
"The movie plot was completely original but somewhat dark with many adult themes (aging, loss, separation and unfinished promises). Both my wife and I welled up at a few scenes and there is a memorable montage that depicts a couple’s life together that is so poignant, even the toughest critic will be moved. There are still some very funny moments but this picture really stands on its own and is difficult to compare to its Pixar predecessors."
says Larry. although he doesn’t give a final overall word on how good (or bad) the film is, albeit it does sound promising. He has now added his final thoughts on the film recommending the film to others noting that what he saw was "top notch".
Sorry, my final thought were cut off and now added to the blog entry with a summary of the move. Thanks for letting me know.
Larry Fire
The Fire Wire
When a Pixar film can’t be compared to a past Pixar film it’s a but frustrating, not for any good reason but because, selfishly, I want to know what the film is like. But it’s a good sign because you know that Pixar are doing something different and the message of feel of the film will be like nothing before, so it’s ok.
‘An unexpected villain’ and ‘unusual jungle creatures’ intrigued me, and it’s great to know that there will be more adult themes in this, too. Can’t wait for this adventure film (especially paired with Giacchino’s score!)
I wonder if Pete Docter or John Lasseter were in attendance for this screening…?
Thanks for the write-up, Larry! 🙂
*and feel of the film
I was hoping that the feel of the film would be little sad. It’s great to hear that it will have more adult themes, and should finally be an animated movie that older generations may actually watch, and not just regard it as a cartoon. I have not seen any actual footage from the movie, but from what I know I would not change a thing.
It is a little frustrating that they have already had a test screening, and the public hasn’t even seen an official trailer. Hopefully they will attach one to Bolt.
Sad and wistful, melancholy and lovely … that makes it sound terrific, frankly, and unlike anything else from Pixar. It also make it sound like a movie Disney will have NO IDEA how to market. I don’t think Disney has any ability to create subtle, effective marketing — “Ratatouille” succeeded despite being saddled with a campaign that made it look like a zany, talking-animal movie. Maybe I’m just cynical these days, but … given that “Wall-E” was a relative disappointment (particularly compared with cost!), and that at least had the space setting … how are they going to market the wistful desires of an old man to the 9-year-old set? Much less “soccer moms”?
Anonymous: WALL-E was a disappointment? Do you mean he film or the marketing? Either way, I’d have to disagree. It was a fantastic film with a great trailer, IMO.
Anyways, I’m excited for this. But my big wonder is if it can be better than WALL-E. Pixar always tops it’s self but this time… I just don’t know man. We’ll see.
I don’t know NetBug…Up looks like it has potential but Walle was absolutely what families wanted this year. It will be really hard to beat…
He meant the Box Office was a disappointment.
I recently listened to a presentation on marketing from Disney. They said that, like it or not, the primary reasons that American audiences go to see animated films is because they are funny. That is why the marketing for Ratatouille made it look zany, and that is why international marketing is different. That is going to make marketing for Up extremely difficult.
Everything I have read just sounds so beautiful. I hope they don’t change it to make it appeal more to little kids, it should stay the same and just be marketed to adults. There are many sad movies, that if you took away the sadness it wouldn’t work. The movie Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium wouldn’t have worked if it wasn’t as sad as it was, but there were still some scenes that didn’t work and just looked like they were there to appeal to a younger audience. Pete Docter, if you are reading this, please do not change the movie to make it less sad, and more silly just so that it will appeal to pre-schoolers. They really aren’t the market for this. I know many people, myself included, that will love the movie as it is. It will finally be something animated that seniors will watch, and will probably resonate with them deeply. I cannot wait for May 29.