If you think old people only like to eat hard candy, watch Turner Classic Movies, and talk at length about their acid reflux, think again.
Sure, the film shows us that it’s easy to become isolated and sad when you’ve lost the things and people you love. But in Up, Carl isn’t just a hero; he’s an action star. Sure, he’s more than a little bit surly, but he uses that old man license to his advantage. Carl does what he wants, he says what he wants, and when his friends are threatened, he’s not afraid to get all medieval and wield his cane like a sword to save the day. Up destroys the tired trope that old people are just supposed to stay out of the way and shows that you’re never too old to seize the day and kick some butt.
Questions about Old Age
- How are young Carl and old Carl different? How are they similar?
- Why does Carl react the way he does after he hits the construction worker with his cane?
- How do Carl and Muntz present contrasting views on getting older?
- Why is Muntz still alive and kicking? Seriously; he must be 100 years old when Carl meets him, right?
Chew on This
When it comes to being a hero, Carl’s greatest asset is his old age.
The message of Up is that you’re never too old to stop deferring your dreams and start making them come true.