Up doesn’t just refer to the ascent of Carl’s house; it describes the trajectory of Carl himself. After Ellie’s death, Carl has nowhere to go but up. He’s stuck in a rut, hiding out in his house with the door slammed shut on society. The old guy’s lonelier than the last slice of pizza.

Carl’s tumultuous trek to Paradise Falls, then, reinvigorates his spirit. By welcoming Russell’s chatty companionship, he shakes the dust off of his personality and is resurrected. In the words of the famed Philadelphia philosopher Patti LaBelle, he’s feeling good from his head to his shoes. Knows where he’s going and knows what to do. He’s tidied up his point of view. He’s got a new attitu-u-ude.

In short, Carl’s spirits are lifted by his epic journey through the jungle. His heart is up and running again, and he’s ready for the next adventure.