DVD Review –“Up” Deluxe Edition

Image copyright Disney/Pixar.

Pixar’s next great achievement rises to the occasion to deliver a DVD packed with fun bonuses.



By Blake



Originally posted December 29, 2009.




Up Deluxe Edition DVD
Disc One: Feature and Bonuses
Disc Two: Digital Copy of Feature
Approx. Total Disc Running Time: About 242 minutes (about 4 hours and 2 minutes)
Highlight of Set: Up Feature Film
Highlight Runner-Up: Dug’s Special Mission animated short



It really wasn’t any surprise when Pixar yet again hit it out of the ballpark last summer as Up soared into moviegoer’s hearts worldwide. What was shocking, though, was the way the film would impact its audience. Packing quite an emotional punch with happy highs and somber lows, the film (running about 96 minutes) eloquently tells a story with enough reality to make it able to transcend the screen and relate personally with viewers, while at the same time showcasing a level of fantasy that adds whimsy of humor to its very likable characters.


We’re first introduced to Carl Fredrickson, an elderly balloon salesman who’s had enough of the construction site that has displeasingly surrounded his beloved home. Then there’s Russell, a young and dedicated Wilderness Explorer who needs one more badge—the “assisting the elderly badge— to promote him to Senior Wilderness Explorer. Curious and full of energy, he tries his best to follow instructions and do as he’s told in order to seek approval from his authority figures. There’s also Dug, the hyper dog with a special collar that amplifies his thoughts for everyone to hear, and Kevin, the downright hysterical “snipe.” When those four are stuck together traveling through a dense jungle with a floating house and thousands of balloons in tow, there’s bound to be hilarity.

Up's cast of characters are the source of many hysterical moments. Image copyright Disney/Pixar.

And hilarity there most certainly is. The creative nature of the characters’ personalities are the source of much of Up’s comedic moments. You can read more of my thoughts about the film itself in my review of it during its theatrical run.



Bonus Features


Partly Cloudy (about 6 minutes) is the Pixar short that appeared alongside Up in its theatrical run. A charming tale, it tells the story of a misfit cloud trying his hardest to create the best beings he can so that a stork can deliver them, but inadvertently ending up making treacherous monsters. The short has a lot of heart, and will surely earn a few “Awwwww”’s from you.


Dug’s Special Mission (about 5 minutes) is an all-new animated short that serves as an in-between-quel to Up, conveyed in the same style as The Lion King 1 ½ and last year’s Burn-E Pixar short that was on the Wall-E DVD. Dug’s Special Mission takes place before Dug meets Carl or Russell, and has his pack trying to keep him distracted while they try to track the elusive “snipe” (aka Kevin). Hilarity ensues with some classic instances of visual comedy, which are real treats. ("TREAT! TREAT! TREAT!") Sorry . . . I should’ve used a different word.


Alternate Scene: The Many Ending of Muntz (about 5 minutes) is really more like a hoopla of alternate scenes, as we get to see a collection of ways that the filmmakers had initially planned on concluding Muntz’s story. Rather than simply showcasing the alternate scenes by themselves, the several different sequences are pieced together in a featurette format, complete with interviews from several of the filmmakers. Overall this bonus is put together very nicely, and has me wondering how many other similar revisions were created for other scenes in the movie.


Adventure Is Out There (about 22 minutes) is a fascinating look into the filmmakers’ journey to South America to research the different environments that would be showcased in the film. These include the mysterious mountains and Angel Falls (which would inspire Paradise Falls). A rather neat fact we learn in this featurette is due to the high altitudes in which the animators were studying in, one minute they would be sketching a setting, only to look up from their drawing pads the next moment to see nothing but clouds and fog! Needless to say, their voyage certainly paid off, and the detail and authenticity in the final product is outstanding, making audiences feel like they’re right there along with Carl and Russell as they make their way to Paradise Falls.

South American settings inspired the look of Up. Image copyright Disney/Pixar.

The Audio Commentary (about 96 minutes) lets us watch the film while listening to director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson. Both previously worked together on Monsters, Inc. The commentary, both informative and lighthearted, gives us insight into many different aspects of the film and we come away with a greater sense of knowledge on how the film was made. We also get to hear details about many sequences that were cut from the film. They’re talked about during the position of the film they would have been placed in, so it’s easy to visualize how they would have been used.


Learn How to Take Your Favorite Movies On the Go (about 1 minute) uses clips from Wall-E and Bolt to explain the directions for using DisneyFile Digital Copy. The Deluxe Edition of Up does indeed come with a digital copy of the movie for those that would like to watch it on their portable devices.


Sneak Peeks (about 11 minutes) include previews for Toy Story 3 (the teaser trailer that made its debut with 3-D screening of Up in theaters, not the trailer that appeared with the Toy Story double feature), The Princess and the Frog, Santa Buddies, Disney Blu-ray, Disney Movie Rewards, Dumbo 70th Anniversary Edition, Ponyo, and the ABC Christmas special Prep & Landing.


The disc’s menus are accentuated by an enjoyable instrumental of the “Spirit of Adventure” theme. Pink brackets surrounding the remote’s selection onscreen make it easy to see what you’re choosing against the light colors of the background.




Wrapping It Up


Although there are even more bonus features available on the Blu-ray version of Up, those without a Blu-ray player are able to be more than satisfied with the film’s DVD editions. The regular, basic version of the DVD includes the short films Partly Cloudy and Dug’s Special Mission, while the Deluxe Edition (as reviewed here) features those two shorts in addition to the featurettes “The Many Endings of Muntz” and “Adventure Is Out There,” as well as the audio commentary. They provide fascinating behind-the-scenes peek into the making of the movie and compliment the excellent cinematic voyage quite nicely, making Up’s home video release quite an adventure indeed.

Image copyright Disney/Pixar.

How do I rank Up Deluxe Edition DVD? (Bolded is my choice.)
Brilliant movie + very good bonus features =

• Aaah!
• Blech
• Not good
• Good
• Very good
• Brilliant
  
  
  

Up Deluxe Edition DVD will most likely please: Disney Fans - Preschoolers (ages 3-4) - Kids (ages 5-7) - Older Kids (ages 8-10) - Tweens (ages 11-13) - Adults

Related BlakeOnline articles:

• Disney Talk - Up Is Here (posted May 29, 2009)
• Silver Screen Review - Up (posted June 3, 2009)
  
  
  

By Blake; posted December 29, 2009. All images copyright Disney/Pixar.