Welcome to MOVIE MATH! Where we review our movie-going experience and see if it ADDS UP to FAMILY FUN!

 

UP (in 3D) – Well, “UP” wasn’t as much of an upper as I hoped it would be. Nor as much of a downer as I heard it was from my friend JENNIE and bro JOHN – both of whom shed tears during the first 30 minutes. Without giving away too much, there is a set-up story in the first act that pulls at the heartstrings and is the springboard for the rest of the tale.  And while I myself shed a little teardrop or two, it didn’t move me NEARLY as much as that sequence in “TOY STORY 2″ where JESSIE the cowgirl gets left behind by the LITTLE GIRL who once loved her (all to the heartbreaking vocal stylings of SARAH MCLACHLAN). 

I DO like the fact that those folks at PIXAR try to add some real life to their stories. In the case of “UP”  – subjects like unfulfilled life dreams, regret and children who are neglected by their parents. But frankly, it all felt a little contrived and like maybe someone was dropping acid when they did the storyboards. I mean, you’ve got houses that fly on balloon power, boy scouts that are mistaken for mailmen, talking dogs, a psychotic adventurer/killer and a girl bird named Kevin. It’s a little “everything plus the kitchen sink” without a true organic feel to it. And the 3D was nothing to write home about. Or to pay EXTRA to see in a theater for that matter. Not like say in “MONSTERS vs. ALIENS”. Now that was awesome 3D!  I mean, in “UP” hardly anything came OUT at you. Well, except for that Disney logo. That was cool.

So why’d I plunk down all the money for this flick? I’ll tell you why! Cuz the next day, after seeing the movie, I listened as JULIA and her friend JAKE recounted scene after scene that they found HILARIOUSLY FUNNY and then proceeded to DISSOLVE into uncontrollable giggles. Then when they caught their breath, Jake said,”Let’s talk more about the movie!” “OKAY!” Julia replied with delight. And they did. And so, even if the movie fell short of MY expectations. It sure didn’t for two 7 years olds. And hey, what more can you ask from a kid flick?

SOME TEARS + LOTS OF CONTRIVED WACKINESS THAT INDUCES GIGGLES IN 7 YEAR OLDS = A WORTHWHILE WAY TO SPEND AN AFTERNOON      (Just don’t bother to pay extra to see it in 3-D)