1. Up – Carl and Ellie’s life together
When first introduced to Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) in Up‘s trailer, we see a cranky old man who prefers to be alone. But how did he get that way? Don’t worry, the first 20 minutes of the movie are here to explain that, turning you into a wibbly ball of your own tears in the process. A shy, young Carl meets the feisty and adventurous Ellie, who dreams of someday living in Paradise Falls, when they’re just kids, and you could say it was love at first sight. Unsurprisingly, they get married, prepared to have all the adventures they always dreamed of. Do you have your tissues out? You’re going to need them.
The first blow comes when Ellie learns she can’t have children, and the pair grow older and older, never quite saving enough to make it to Paradise Falls until it’s too late. Ellie falls ill, and dies, leaving Carl bitter and alone. Yeah, remember the part where this is a kids’ movie and I didn’t come here to be reminded that we’re all going to die someday? Thanks, Pixar. Don’t turn off the movie in despair, it gets a whole lot better, and Carl gets a whole lot happier, but those opening scenes are harsher than harsh.
What do you think of our top saddest Pixar moments? Think we left anything out? Let us know in the comments, where you can talk about the times Pixar ripped your heart out.
