The hit film UP chronicles the poignant story of Carl Fredricksen, an aging widower who attempts to fulfill his late wife Ellie’s dream to travel to the beautiful South American destination of Paradise Falls. The movie, which features the vocal talents of Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer and newcomer Jordan Nagai as Pixar’s first lead Asian character, was honored with an AFI AWARD in 2009, recognizing it as one of the 10 most outstanding films of the year.
January 15, 2021
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AFI Movie Club: UP
MOVIE TRIVIA
DID YOU KNOW? UP was Pixar’s first film produced and released in 3D.
DID YOU KNOW? UP was the first animated film – and 3D film – to open the Cannes Film Festival.
DID YOU KNOW? UP is one of only nine films to win a Grammy®, Golden Globe and an Academy Award® for Best Musical Score. Other titles include STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE and E.T.: EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL – both of which appear on AFI’s list of the best film scores.
DID YOU KNOW? Carl is voiced by screen legend Ed Asner. Now 91 years old, Asner boasts countless roles on the big and small screens – perhaps most notably as Mary Richards’ cantankerous boss, Lou Grant, on THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW!
DID YOU KNOW? John Ratzenberger has voiced a character in every Pixar feature film since TOY STORY. He shows up as “Tom the construction worker” in UP, but audiences may also recognize his voice as postal worker Cliff Clavin from TV’s CHEERS.
DID YOU KNOW? References to other Pixar titles are interspersed throughout each of its films. You can see the Pizza Planet truck from the TOY STORY films throughout UP and the tree from A BUG’S LIFE is in the opening montage.
Learn more at the AFI Catalog.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
The movie doesn’t end at the credits: Discussion Questions
Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram now using #AFIMovieClub. Or post your responses in the comment section below.
- What is your favorite animated movie?
- What is your favorite Pixar film?
- What is it that makes Pixar films so special?
- How did the film’s opening make you feel?
- What role does Carl’s tragedy play in his story? Why is it important to see how his life unfolded before the events of UP?
- At what point does Carl change from an isolated old man to a compassionate and engaged hero?
- Carl does not cut the figure of a typical “matinee idol” adventure hero. What other unconventional heroes come to mind in Hollywood?
- How would you rate UP?
LEARN MORE ABOUT AFI MOVIE CLUB
AFI has created a global, virtual gathering of those who love the movies. See all of the titles programmed for AFI Movie Club here. Each day’s film is accompanied by fun facts, family-friendly discussion points and material from the AFI Archive to enrich your viewing experience. Learn more in our FAQ section.
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