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On Tuesday, November 10th, Disney released “Up” on DVD, and I eagerly rushed to the store to add Pixar’s latest triumph to my collection. Each year I find myself blown away by the studio’s offerings, especially their original storytelling, sharp writing, and gorgeous graphics. “Up” holds a special place in my heart and mind, however, for its groundbreaking take on an important issue.
One of the struggles facing modern families today is how to raise tolerant, discerning children. It can be difficult teaching children to overcome stereotypes. If all the heroes and leading characters they see on screen are young, fair-skinned Barbie and Ken clones, what will they learn from that?
“Up” seamlessly addresses that problem without being preachy. The film showcases a septuagenarian forming a friendship and having adventures with a plus-sized boy scout. An Asian-American actor voices the character of Russell, and he appears to be of Asian ancestry, though his nationality is not addressed in the movie. This is exactly the message I want my children to embrace: the heroes of our stories come in all ages, shapes, and sizes. By not making a big fuss anywhere in the film over the make-up of its stars, “Up” teaches kids that equality is normalcy.
Unfortunately, Pixar is experiencing a backlash for its inventiveness. Toy makers and Wall Street tycoons criticized the film for not being an easy sell. Kids, they claim, don’t want to watch films or play with toys featuring older men and slightly overweight children. Previous Pixar fare, such as “Toy Story” space explorers and “Cars” high-speed vehicles, make for good merchandise, whereas others like “Ratatouille” and “Up” do not, according to critics.
“Cars,” one of Pixar’s less critically acclaimed movies, holds the record for the most money made on merchandising. Now a “Cars 2” is scheduled for release in the coming years, in addition to next June’s “Toy Story 3” and a rumored “Monster’s Inc.” sequel. That leads me to worry about Pixar’s future. I’ve loved every movie the studio has produced, but the ones I cherish most contain those most refreshingly original ideas: a rat chef, a monster city powered by children’s nightmares, and an old man on an Amazonian adventure. Moreover, I admire the strides made by “Up” in providing children of all backgrounds with realistic role models. What will become of Pixar’s penchant for innovation and overcoming boundaries if Disney further presses the studio to rehash old ideas?
If I trust anyone to make a creative sequel (or threequel), it’s Pixar. Many argued “Toy Story 2” surpassed its predecessor, but for me, “Up” represents an important step forward for the studio and for film as a whole. More than ever before the movie delivers a story poignant for any audience, and blends an adventurous romp, a touching love story, and quiet social advocacy into one heartwarming tale. Disney has been outspoken in its support for “Up,” with chief executive Robert A. Iger saying:
“We seek to make great films first. If a great film gives birth to a franchise, we are the first company to leverage such success. A check-the-boxes approach to creativity is more likely to result in blandness and failure.”
I agree, Mr. Iger. So don’t let the allure of lucrative merchandising deals entice you back to safer ground. Kid-friendly doesn’t have to mean generic.
Related Articles:
Disney Pixar’s Up Soars High but with a Couple of Bumps
Pixar’s Latest Film Has Wall Street on Edge
“Toy Story” and “E.T.” Ready to Return to the Big Screen
*(This image by centralasian is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
