How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Up.
Quote #1
CARL: Ellie, it’s so beautiful. We made it. We made it!
A promise is a promise. Even though she’s not physically around, Carl holds up his end of the deal with Ellie to go to South America. You know, it’s like America, but south.
Quote #2
CARL: We have three days, at best, before the helium leaks out of those balloons. And if we're not at the falls when that happens...
RUSSELL: Sand.
CARL: ...we're not getting to the falls.
RUSSELL: I found sand!
CARL: Don't you worry, Ellie. We'll get our house over there.
From start to finish, Carl’s main motivation is to do right by Ellie. His leading lady is always on his mind, as evidenced by the frequency with which he talks to her. Carl doesn’t want her to miss a thing. He’s kind of like Aerosmith that way.
Quote #3
DUG: My name is Dug. I have just met you, and I love you.
Dug is the walking, talking embodiment of Up’s message that love is everywhere. You don’t have to throw it a bone; you just have to say “yes.”
Quote #4
DUG: Oh, please, oh, please, oh, please be my prisoner!
RUSSELL: Dug, stop bothering Kevin!
DUG: That man there says I should take the bird, and I love that man there like he is my master.
CARL: I am not your master!
Now Carl has a kid and a dog? The Troggs were right.
Quote #5
RUSSELL: Mr. Fredricksen, Dug says he wants to take Kevin prisoner. We have to protect him. Can Kevin go with us?
CARL: All right, he can come.
RUSSELL: Promise you won’t leave him?
CARL: Yeah.
RUSSELL: Cross your heart?
CARL: Cross my heart.
Carl’s promise to Russell echoes his childhood promise to Ellie. And all of that heart crossing business? Totally comes from a place of love.
Quote #6
ALPHA: Well, at least you have now led us to the small mailman and the one who smells of prunes. Master will be most pleased that we have found them.
Muntz’s dog pack has their own twisted love story. They may be villains, but they’re still dogs. They’re unflinchingly loyal and, above all else, they want their master to love them.
Quote #7
DUG: I was hiding under your porch because I love you. Can I stay?
CARL: Can you stay? Why, you're my dog, aren’t you? And I'm your master!
After Carl finds Ellie’s note encouraging him to have a new adventure, Carl sees the world anew. His eyes are wide open behind those chunky black glasses, and he finally welcomes Dug’s slobbery adoration.
Quote #8
CARL: Russell, for assisting the elderly, and for performing above and beyond the call of duty, I would like to award you the highest honor I can bestow: The Ellie Badge.
The fact that Carl stands up for Russell at his badge ceremony should be all you need to know that Carl’s grown to love Russell by the end of the movie. And it’s not just any badge; it’s everything that means “love” to Carl. Under that crusty exterior lies a—OK, we won’t get all cliché on you. Carl pins his affection for the kid right on his Wilderness Explorer sash.