I've only managed to see UP yesterday -and I forget most of the points made in the podcast since I heard it weeks ago, but to my mind the movie suffers from the same plot-disintegration that killed Wall-E and all Pixar movies since (and including) The Incredibiles.

As with Wall-E especially, UP begins extremely well (if a little downbeat for youngsters), but once it goes up, it's quickly down down down all the way.

It's like the committee writing the script gave up after lunch. I can imagine the chairman straightening his notes at the head of the table saying "OK, so we got to the point where they land on Paradise Falls... what now?"

"Oh! oh! I know!" pipes up an enterprising Pixar member, "I heard of this great auto-scipt device as revealed by Jett Loe in his review of The Wrestler! ..We've already awed and wowed the audience enough -let's switch that on and get to work on the visuals!"

"Great idea number 27! Next time around you get to direct!"

What's that you say? Only a kids' movie? Why is that an excuse?
Any movie or story needs to be true to itself if it's to hold water, if it's to be taken as 'as-great-as-these-movies-purport-to-be-trying-to-be'.

This one gave up. Maybe that's the reason for the title.

Would you like to know The SECRET OF PIXAR!? Really? Well, OK, here it is:

Come up with an interesting, kinda mad notion in one or two sentences. Now spend the rest of the plot working it back to a predictable formula, ending in a half hour chase, preferably with 5 minute Jesus-Resurrection sequence.

Exercise: "A slipper is stolen from a shoe shop by a one-legged thief."
Now that you know the plot, add the Disintegration Formula and you have a GUARANTEED HIT! Expectations have been lowered so much it's like taking candy from a baby. They'll lap it up like a sequel to a loud robot movie.


Up isn't as bad as Wall-E of course. I liked a lot of it. But nowhere near what kids deserve. Or me for that matter.

Great podcast, very good analysis and discussion, I'll have to check out the Hangover next weekend.

On a very minor note, I have to disagree with Jett's adoration of Michael Giacchino's Star Trek score. While I also really enjoyed the new Star Trek movie, I thought that his score, and the main theme in particular, were rather underwhelming. This stands out to me in particular having just rewatched the Wrath of Khan and hearing Horner's fantastic score on that movie. In general, I've been rather dissapointed with the movie scores in recent years, it seems like I haven't heard anything nearly as iconic as the indiana jones or star wars themes in a long time (Jurassic Park? Maybe there's something more recent). Anyway, just thought I'd speak my mind.

I'm sure I've sung the praises of Horner's Khan score before, which lends the film an epic quality when the scale of the film seems quite modest by today's standards.

Agree with the comment about a lack of really great scores from recent years. Was listening to Williams' Potter score the other day and came to the conclusion that it's a big disappointment from the man who gave us Raiders et al.

Did enjoy the Lord of the Rings scores, but realise I might be being controversial there.

Horner Giacchino Williams

Ah yes! Your point about the Die Hard score makes perfect sense, think I always picked up essence of Aliens at that moment.

Actually Kamen's DH score is great, I love his use of Beethoven's 9th in the film. Did you notice how his use of sleigh bells is also employed in his other Christmas movie - Brazil? It's such a shame he's gone, I really liked his stuff.

(I realize, that every comment I think that I've posted on here has been under a different name - but now, I'll work from the Twitter account...Anyway, I digress.)

First of all, Jett, I liked your opening joke. I also agree with seeing UP in non-3D.

And I saw The Hangover, a couple weeks ago, and quite enjoyed it too. I kind of feel like your analogy to Eyes Wide Shut, makes sense; but the movie also feels very much in the same vein (although, not quite as dark) as Very Bad Things - the Peter Berg-directed movie.

(And, take what you will from it, but I enjoy listening to you guys bicker.) :)