Up

UP (Nominations: 5)

Up becomes the first animated film since Beauty and the Beast to be nominated for the top prize on Oscar night, which makes it only the second in Oscar history, though the extra five slots this year certainly helped its chances. It is a sure thing for the Animated Feature statue, but its chances for Best Picture are slim. It is a wonderful film, well written, with the emotion and sensitivity we have all come to expect from Pixar.

Pixar seems to be the “Oprah” of animation. Every story it touches turns to gold. Let’s look at the recent history: Wall-E (6 nominations), Ratatouille (5 nominations), Cars (2 nominations), The Incredibles (4 nominations. All but Cars won the Best Animated Feature category. It seems inevitable that whatever Pixar puts out each year will make the final cut, and likely be the front runner. However, Pixar’s elite status in the animation world should not detract from each films actual quality. Up deserves all the attention it has received, and out of a list of 10 Best Picture candidates, its presence absolutely warranted.

Up does what most of Pixar’s films have done, it transcends the gap between what children will like and what adults can also enjoy, but it does so in a way far more tasteful than Shrek or the fighting Panda have. I was far more impressed with Up than I was last year with Wall-E. From the opening montage of a full married life to the ending credits, the movie satisfies. You laugh with the characters’ joy, cry (if you are my wife) with their sorrow, and generally feel uplifted when it is all said and done. In the end, Up will take home the Animated Feature statue but not the Best Film. It would be a shock to see it win Best Sound Editing over Avatar or The Hurt Locker. However, it does have a long shot at Best Original Screenplay over The Hurt Locker or Inglorious Basterds and Best Original Score against both titans, Avatar and The Hurt Locker. Up has one statue locked up, and I think it may steal a second.

PREDICTED WINS: 2