Pixar’s most recent short film, Up’s “Married Life”, has bid a fond farewell to the character Carl Fredricksen, played to perfection by acting legend Ed Asner.
The six-minute animation, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, revisits the elderly couple Carl and Ellie, who featured prominently in the 2009 feature length film Up. The scene is set as Carl and Ellie share an idyllic moment, enjoying a picnic and the beautiful scenery before them.
The film acts as a tribute to the iconic couple, whose lives were turned upside down with the arrival of Russell, an 8 year-old Wilderness Explorer. Through the course of their adventure, we saw the two forge an unbreakable bond, despite Carl’s grumpy nature.
What makes this new Pixar tribute so special, however, is that it serves as a farewell to Ed Asner’s Carl Fredricksen, as the actor passed away in July of 2020.
The short film’s director, Mike Juneau, writes in the notes: “This would be a fitting farewell to both Carl and Ed, honoring the same spirit and sense of adventure that have captivated audiences since the original film.”
The movie also serves as a reminder of why Up is such a beloved movie in the Pixar canon. It’s a story of friendship and love, of a future and a past, one which will always remain in our hearts, and in Pixar’s short films.
As for the short film itself, the animation is stunning, packed with an emotionally charged storyline, aided by the beautiful music from composer Michael Giacchino. There are also plenty of emotion-filled moments, including a goodbye scene at the end with Ellie and Carl saying their farewells.
It is wonderful to see Pixar paying tribute to its characters, and in this case, Ed Asner, through this short film. For fans of the original movie, it is certainly an emotional and nostalgic way to bid farewell to this amazing character. To Carl and Ed, thank you for the years of entertainment and unforgettable memories.
