Up - Lesson Plan 

Before the film

This is yet one more cartoon film by Pixar Films, the innovative cartoon company now working in collaboration with Disney Studios.  This time they put together a film about a rather serious subject, growing older and having life not turn out as planned.  But the film is done with humour, original ideas, and a great deal of love for the subject matter.   

What do you think about making a cartoon with this kind of theme?  Do you think much about your life’s goals.  Do you know older people who wish life would have turned out differently? 

The film is a fantasy and yet it is realistic.  See if you can decipher and explain the difference.  Find examples of both 

Russell is the protagonist of the film.  He meets his “soul mate” Ellie and together they live life sharing their dreams as they go.  Ellie passes away in the film and Russell is inspired to do what he promised Ellie even though she is gone.  Her dream is to live in Paradise Falls, the area where their role model explorer in life, Charles Muntz, studies and does his research.

Russell calls his house Ellie.   Be prepared to talk about why.  Why does Carl not want to sell or leave the house? 

Carl enters Russell’s life after Ellie is gone.  He is an explorer scout who wants to earn his “Helping the Elderly” badge to become a Senior Explorer.  Badges are earned by accomplishing specific tasks and can then be applied to the uniform.  Russell learns about Carl’s life.  He lives in a foster care arrangement and talks with his father occasionally.  Russell is easily irritated by Carl but he knows he has had a blessed life in comparison.  Be ready to learn about Carl, his disposition, and interests. 

Charles Muntz is “accused” of falsifying his research data regarding the Beast of Paradise Falls.  In shame and anger, Muntz swears to vindicate himself by finding the bird and bringing it back alive for all to see.  Miraculously Russell and Carl happen on Paradise Falls in an incredible journey flying in Russell’s home.  They meet Muntz after meeting the exotic Beast of Paradise Falls.

A race ensues for “ownership” of the Beast and the film ends on an inspiring note.  

After the film 

This film is about a rather serious topic.  How would you describe it?   Do you think an animated film is a good medium for these subject matters?

 
What were some of the disappointments presented in the film? 

Also included in the story line is finding a partner for life who dies.  But promises were made between Russell and Ellie that Russell wants to keep even though Ellie is gone.  What do you think about realizing late you haven’t done what you want, and deciding to keep promises even after a person is gone.  What does “cross your heart,” “no backing out” mean?

Describe the protagonist Russell.  How is he similar or dissimilar to his wife Ellie?  Did you “catch” what Russell and Ellie do for work? Why was Russell’s work important to the way the story evolved? 

The house flew; it came right off its base.  Why is this a total fantasy and yet somehow realistic?  Russell even steered the house using sails and a form of a “pulley” system.   

What, in your opinion, did the “adventure” book represent?  How is it used in the film?   

What did Russell and Ellie’s house represent?  Why was it symbolic as well as fantastic to fly in the house to Paradise Falls? 

When the house finally “lands” near Paradise Falls, Russell looks through it one more time and sees again the “stuff I’m going to do” section where Ellie wrote “thanks for the adventure, go have a new one” in her adventure book.  At that point, Russell throws everything out of the house, all the furnishings, and flies off again to get Russell.  Discuss what this represents. 

What is the dream Russell wants to fulfill?   

Did you notice the “expression-less” people around Russell’s house responsible for the development  

Who is Carl?   Explain his life circumstances.  Do you remember how he “re-enters” Russell’s life?  He knocked on the door.  He says “please let me in.” This too is a detail that is symbolic and yet fantastic.  How so? 

Carl’s father is somewhat a figment of his fantasies.  How is this an interesting twist on a film that in itself is part realistic, part fantasy? 

What is a GPS?  What happens to it in the film? 

What is a snipe?  Why does Russell use the excuse of a snipe to get Carl to fulfill his “Assisting the Elderly” badge?   

Who is Charles Muntz?  What does he do?  What happens to bring doubt into Muntz’ professional ability?

Do you have role models in the professional world?  Is there someone you can point to who is doing exactly what you’d love to do yourself? 

What did you think about the “motto” of the film:  Adventure is out there.  What implications does this phrase have? 

What did you think of the “mysterious” bird (which Carl mistakenly thinks is a snipe)?  It’s more exotic looking than the rest of the film, more unreal.  What role does the bird play in the film?  Why is it a figure that is so large and colourful?  This too has symbolic as well a fantastic elements.

Everyone wants the bird, especially Muntz.  Is the bird dangerous? 

What did you think of the talking mechanisms of the dogs.  Did you happen to notice that the protagonist dog was named Dug, spelled as the past tense of dig instead of the regular spelling of the name, Doug. 

Among the collars is one called “the collar of shame.”  What is that? 

In the end of the house Carl says “there goes Ellie” when the house falls down to the ground from the blimp.  Russell responds, ”it’s just a house.”

Russell comes to Carl’s Explorer Scout Badge ceremony and pins the most important thing Ellie ever gave to Russell onto Carl’s scout sash.  What did this represent?