The old axiom of "best-laid plans" infuses the story of crusty, elderly widower Carl Fredicksen (Ed Asner), in Pixar's Up. From the wrenching montage of Carl's life with his beloved wife Ellie---where they missed out on becoming dashing explorers like their hero Carl Muntz (Christopher Plummer)---to Carl's escape from his old neighbourhood with zealous Wilderness Scout Russell (Jordan Nagai) tagging along to Carl's chagrin, Up's underlying theme could be interpreted as enjoying the pleasure of other people's company along life's journeys.
With so much care going into establishing the importance of Ellie to Carl, as well as making Russell into a lonely boy desperate for a friend, director Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.) is trying to tell us that adventures with loved ones---either mundane or extraordinary---are more important than adventure for adventure's sake.
