Up’s opening scene is notoriously sad.
Pixar decided to rip your heart out in the first 4 minutes of the movie.
But what makes it such an effective hook? Why is it the perfect opening?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Pixar decided to rip your heart out in the first 4 minutes of the movie.
But what makes it such an effective hook? Why is it the perfect opening?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Ellie wants to go to Paradise Falls.
She makes young Carl promise to take her.
It’s foreshadowing — will they ever get to go? Will Carl keep his promise?
She makes young Carl promise to take her.
It’s foreshadowing — will they ever get to go? Will Carl keep his promise?
Carl and Ellie get married, build their dream home by hand.
Go on picnics, fall even more in love. Decide to have a baby.
It’s the perfect marriage.
But a miscarriage.
It’s so… real.
Go on picnics, fall even more in love. Decide to have a baby.
It’s the perfect marriage.
But a miscarriage.
It’s so… real.
Carl helps Ellie through her depression.
Life goes on. Their bond only grows deeper.
They save up for the trip they wanted to take as kids.
But instead have to use their savings to make life work.
Suddenly, they’re old.
Life goes on. Their bond only grows deeper.
They save up for the trip they wanted to take as kids.
But instead have to use their savings to make life work.
Suddenly, they’re old.
In old age, they love each other like children.
Carl buys tickets to finally take her to Paradise Falls.
But then Ellie gets sick.
Carl goes to help her…
Carl buys tickets to finally take her to Paradise Falls.
But then Ellie gets sick.
Carl goes to help her…
Ellie passes.
The love of Carl’s life is gone.
He never kept his promise to her.
He returns to their house alone for the first time.
The love of Carl’s life is gone.
He never kept his promise to her.
He returns to their house alone for the first time.
Up nails emotional truth.
From the miscarriage to Ellie’s death, the lows of the short story are just as important as the highs.
Carl’s failure of the unkept promise haunts him the entire movie.
The audience has no choice but to feel that.
From the miscarriage to Ellie’s death, the lows of the short story are just as important as the highs.
Carl’s failure of the unkept promise haunts him the entire movie.
The audience has no choice but to feel that.
The scene captures the highs and lows of life.
But more importantly the bond two people build going through those times together.
It sets up the ultimate question:
How do you regain your happiness after the love of your life dies?
That’s the question the rest of Up explores.
But more importantly the bond two people build going through those times together.
It sets up the ultimate question:
How do you regain your happiness after the love of your life dies?
That’s the question the rest of Up explores.
Don’t feel bad if that scene makes you tear up, it does me too!
Follow @nathanbaugh27 for weekly writing on storytelling.
I’ve been on a movie kick recently — especially studying opening scenes.
Here are 7 other fantastic ones:
Follow @nathanbaugh27 for weekly writing on storytelling.
I’ve been on a movie kick recently — especially studying opening scenes.
Here are 7 other fantastic ones:
Storytelling is one of the most underrated yet important skills you can learn.
If you wanna become a better storyteller, try my free newsletter with 42,887 others: worldbuilders.ai
If you wanna become a better storyteller, try my free newsletter with 42,887 others: worldbuilders.ai
Loading suggestions...