I think it's Russell, who primarily opposes Carl's reluctance to reconnect with the world. I think it's NOT Muntz, whose story role is initially as Carl's hero, but then as a threat to the others, whom, by this point Carl has opened up a relationship with.
But I am open to hearing other reasoned opinions...
It is a cartoon with a message. A young Carl meets a young adventure-spirited girl named Ellie. They both dream of going to a lost land in South America. 70 years later, Ellie has died. Carl remembers the promise he made to her. Then, when he inadvertently hits a construction worker, he is forced to go to a retirement home. But before they can take him, he and his house fly away. However, he has a stowaway aboard: an 8-year-old boy named Russell, who's trying to get an Assisting the Elderly badge. Together, they embark on an adventure, where they encounter talking dogs, an evil villain and a rare bird named Kevin. Why would you need to identify an opponent? It is fiction, enjoy it for the fun of Carl seeing his and Ellie's dream finally achieved, and in memory of Ellie.
..*.. TxMike ..*..
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.
Count 15.
As you seem to deny my entire premise, I was about to ask if the idea of opposition was alien to you, but you included 'evil villain' in your summary. I can only conclude that you do have a grasp of the idea of opposition, but only a superficial one.
And happy belated Xmas! (But don't let that interrupt the debate/squabble/play)
shareI don't understand why you would view Russell as any sort of opposition to Carl. The biggest opposition in this movie is Carl himself. Carl is a man who feels he's truly lost everything and all that's left to live for is him and his wife's life long dream. But that dream itself could be viewed very metaphorically. The place itself is even called Paradise Falls. Many of us want that place in our hearts where everything is better than what we have and is devoid of negativity. Although they never got to paradise, Ellie learned in life to be happy with what she had and died fully satisfied. Carl still hadn't learned that so he was still chasing "paradise". Russell's eventual purpose in the movie it to help show Carl that he still has plenty to live for. And the fact that Muntz turns out to be villainous shows that sometimes our heroes and dreams are never as wonderful as we'd like them to be. There is certainly a lot more that I can cover but I'm not out to write an essay here.
"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"
Of course Carl is lacking something internally, but if he is his own opponent (which, by the same logic, you could argue about any main character in a story), what role do the other characters play?
And...
I think it's Russell, who primarily opposes Carl's reluctance to reconnect with the world.share
That's not much of a response given all I posted. I gave some explanation on the roles of Russell and Muntz. Perhaps you should elaborate more on your theory because I've already answered your original question. Right now, your view of Russell is nothing more than a hypothetical with absolutely no reasoning behind it. Give me that reasoning and I'll respond accordingly.
"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"
Ok. I should’ve said that describing the other characters without naming their roles didn’t further discussion. Either way, I think we mean pretty much the same thing. I said...
Russell, who primarily opposes Carl's reluctance to reconnect with the world
Russell's eventual purpose in the movie it to help show Carl that he still has plenty to live for.
Some stories does don't have a clear cut antagonist. For a similar example, lets take a look at A Christmas Carol. Now sure enough, Scrooge would be considered the protagonist. But who's the antagonist? The ghosts? You could perhaps view things that way but it creates a lot of issues to do so. Scrooge's biggest problem, like Carl, is himself so who do we call the antagonist? To call Russell or the ghosts that seems like it's stretching the definition of the word. It could technically be true, but doesn't work well all the same. Not all stories and movies need physical antagonists. And there are movies that are far grayer than Up, something like Princess Mononoke really complicates things when the protagonist is essentially not allowed an antagonist by the story.
"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"
"To call Russell or the ghosts that seems like it's stretching the definition of the word. It could technically be true, but doesn't work well all the same."
Reasons for these 2 claims (since this is pretty much my argument)?
I'm not sure what more I can add to what I've already said. I guess it just comes down to how each individual defines what can or can't be an antagonist. I don't view Russell as one and I'm still not sure how you came to the conclusion he is one, but I'm not going to tell you how you should view a film either.
"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"
Agreed, we differ in our definitions. I've mentioned my reasoning for Russell's antagonism, which I can quote you on too.
Carl's problem is he is refusing to reconnect to the world:
Russell, who primarily opposes Carl's reluctance to reconnect with the world
Russell's eventual purpose in the movie it to help show Carl that he still has plenty to live for.
Instead, I think an external character who galvanizes the protagonist into changing should be considered the antagonist.
An antagonist job isn't to change the protagonist, it's to oppose them. Russell doesn't really oppose Carl. And Carl is changed by several outside influences, not just Russell. To say Russell is the biggest challenge and what changes everything is simplifies the movie too much and doesn't work. I still don't think there's a clear cut antagonist in this movie and there doesn't have to be. I'm not sure why you are so dead set in proving this theory of yours, but most people won't agree with it because it realistically makes no sense.
"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"
Whoa, dead set? Why are you taking this personally? We're whittling down the elements to find the truth, but if you don't value discussion, then bye! And don't read the following!
Of course Russell isn't the only influence. Main opponent, not sole opponent. There are different levels of opponent. Antagonist is merely a reference to the main one.
Unless you're unaware that you're veering toward semantics, I don't know how you're not seeing that the force Russell presents is the direct opposite to what keeps Carl from growing as a person - that, of all the characters, Russell leads in galvanising Carl to reconnect with the world. He is the antagonising force that results in the protagonist's internal change. This does not presume that he is intentionally trying to change Carl, only that Russell's quest for his final badge happens to provide the force necessary to oppose Carl's reluctance to reconnect with the world. I feel like we're going round in circles.
But he already said it quite clearly, " I'm not sure why you are so dead set in proving this theory of yours, but most people won't agree with it because it realistically makes no sense. "
None of your positions in this thread are "fabulous", they actually make no sense! Maybe you need a different hobby!
..*.. TxMike ..*..
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.
[deleted]
Yay, wave to Mike, everyone! I see you Mike! That's a follow count of 16. Now, what were you saying?
share[deleted]
Hi, Mike! Just a little correction, I'm a she! Thank you!
"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"
I wasn't taking this personally, sorry if it came off that way. You said you seek a truth. The wonderful thing about our feelings and perceptions of art is that the truth can often be whatever we want it to be. Believe what you want about the movies you love and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It seems we have reached an impasse, neither of us being able to see things the way the other does. This was an interesting conversation to say the least.
"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"
Ditto, thanks for the chat :)
shareIt was Colonel Mustard, in the dining room, with the candlestick.
shareIt really depends what you mean by opponent I think.
Sorry I haven't read the whole discussion but I think I got the jist of it!
I've never actually heard the term 'opponent' used In The way that you describe, so I found it very interesting.
I wouldn't call Russell the antagonist or the opponent though. I don't know exactly what I'd call him... The innocent figure that you see in many films who helps the protagonist to grow and learn, simply by being himself?
He also helps fredriksen to reconnect with life and to a certain extent to realise his dream of having a child figure in his life.
I'm not quite sure what you would call that!
Russell is actually Ellie reincarnated in terms of story.
share