Up Up Away….

Up

At this point, there is not much else I can say that others have not yet eluded to about Disney’s best picture nominee Up. Although I do not necessarily agree with the idea of having 10 Best Picture nominees; I also do not think that Up will win.  Yes, the animation was incredible, but the story lacked the true muster that would propel it to winning Best Picture.  Not to mention the other 9 films to choose from.

However!  Up did prove effective in one way.  Its dark nature proved Disney’s ability to be cross-generational still within the limits of an animated film that is primarily intended for children.  In succeeding to evoke true emotion Up‘s story is one we relate to.  Without giving away the details of the film, we see how easy it is for life to just pass us by as we go through our daily lives or routines.  Too often we cannot do anything about it.  Then, before we know it, gentrification and sprawl take us in.  We lose hope.  We begin to accept our fates as they are.  Our dreams, lost.

Not necessarily the case.  Up encourages us to never give up that hope or dream.  Keep exploring.

Maybe I just get sentimental about these kinds of things.  But throughout the film I couldn’t help but try to pick through the existential dilemma Up gave.  Self-actualization.  Truly living.

In the end, we learn to appreciate what we’ve experienced…that is the most important.

That being said, I would like to take a minute to criticize Disney.  They tell this story that puts the baby-boomers plight in the palms of our hands.  The neighborhood we once lived becomes engulfed by urban sprawl.  Disney, is in some ways responsible as a catalyst for this.  We are talking about a multi-billion dollar corporation that is responsible for ABC, ESPN, The Disney Channel and ABC Family.  Conglomerates of media like this are what ruin culture.  Everything becomes so homogenized that we create a world much like Aldous Huxley depicts in Brave New World.

My suggestion is to fight corporate takeover and urges like this.  Instead, expand horizons.  Never stop exploring.

Listening to: Bear Country “Up Up Away”