9 Disney Movies With Upsetting And Dark Moments
3. Carl's Traumatic Life Montage - Up
When Up was being marketed, it came across largely as this bizarre adventure story of an old man sticking it to the man and escaping urban life to reclaim his youth on some madcap adventure. None of the posters or trailers prepared us for THAT opening montage.
Pixar's most affecting sequence to date, we get a glimpse into Carl's blossoming romance with his wife. They start out as fresh-faced young lovers, move into their quaint house and work together to decorate it.
However, it progresses to reveal the trouble that befell the two: we see a pale doctor's office, his crying wife, their emotions spiralling downwards until we see the aged Carl at a funeral service. His journey is actually spurred on by his late wife's wish to move their "clubhouse" to Paradise Falls, or at the very least to visit it.
The contrast between this harsh opening and the misadventures of Carl and his unlikeliest of companions Doug the talking dog and boy scout Russell serves to bring back joy to the reclusive, grumpy old man across the movie's run-time.
Nevertheless, this shocking opening knocked us all for six, immediately creating a whole heap of sympathy for Carl and his seemingly ridiculous quest.