Pop & Hiss goes to the movies: Michael Giacchino on the 'emotional time bomb' of 'Up'

In approximately four minutes, composer Michael Giacchino had to reflect a lifetime. Early in Disney-Pixar's computer-animated "Up," the film's main character, Carl, experiences marriage, loss and all the highs and lows of the decades in between.

A sort of mini-movie within a movie, the scenes get specific. Capturing in music, for instance, the emotions of a husband and wife immediately after they find out they won't have children isn't an easy task, especially when one must do so in just a few seconds of a family film.

It was a struggle, Giacchino said, but he ultimately crafted an elegant waltz, letting the violin lead a path around wistful brass notes one instant and a reflective piano the next.

"It was very hard to find a balance," Giacchino said. "When is it OK to be sad? When is it OK to be big and small? There are moments that could have been treated like a big, emotional, overbearing kind of a thing.

"But for me," Giacchino continued, "it was about going in the opposite direction. I looked at it as if, 'If I were in this room at this moment, what would I say to them?' I would probably be as quiet and gentle and as soft as possible.' So that's what I wanted to do with the music, as opposed to grabbing the person and screaming, 'I'm so sorry! This is awful!'"

"Up" has those big moments as well, as the final third of the movie turns into an action-adventure film. But it's the jazzy waltz that Giacchino returns to throughout the film. At times, he gives it a full-on symphonic treatment, and at others, he turns it into something rather sparse, with just a sprinkling of piano notes.

It gives "Up" a uniquely vintage theme, and one that Giacchino said was designed to capture the spirit of Ellie, Carl's wife, who dies at the beginning of the film.

"She was his whole life, and he has much more to look back at than he does to look forward to," Giacchino said. "So everything he did going forward was based on her. How does he change his frame of mind? Musically, there was so much of this film that I was terrified about. It's an emotional time bomb."

--Todd Martens

RELATED:

Pop & Hiss goes to the movies: Mary J. Blige digs into the blues for ‘Precious’ 

The above piece appears in the Dec. 9 issue of The Envelope. Click here for more awards coverage.

Comments

[Donald]

Best part of the movie, and an incredible score.

[andy]

you idiots, this is supposed to be a kids movie, what the hell does Life & Death have to do with a kids movie. I thought this action was disgusting and very distasteful.

You should be ashamed of yourself. If you wish to talk about life & death, then pick another arena to showcase your believes, not in a kids movie, god u suck.

[Jenna]

That whole sequence was brilliant! Just brilliant!

[Anthony]

Giacchino knows the perfect way to reflect all emotions is with a shrill trombone slide.

[Thomas]

This was a truly beautiful part of the movie, and I am glad the creators weren't afraid to put it in a family friendly film.

[Baba D]

Life and ultimately death has everything to do about and with kids. Happy and sad as it is. I want intelligent thoughtful children not simpering whiny fearful children running around through the neighborhood. Why does our culture seem to perpetuate ignorance amongst our youth? Life and death are ultimately neutral concepts, it is up to the individual to decide how they feel about the subjects. Aren't parents supposed to teach children such things? Certainly there is going to be sadness and various levels of trauma in a lifetime, however is not a thoughtful and loving hospice only the other side of the happy birthday coin? I felt the music was a beautiful and integral aspect of the movie as a whole.

[Polomoche]

Four minutes that capture the true potential and beauty of stories on film, and with a score equally as thoughtful... Were only the rest of the movie able to live up to it! The final third does not "turn into" action-adventure, it degrades into formulaic drivel!

[Bertha]

To Andy the Sullen Teen: This is what adults and kids call a good film. Instead of giant robots, it has characters and a plot. You'll change your attitude when you get older and get a girlfriend. That, or you'll grow old missing everything cool in art and die angry.

[Dirk]

Andy, you're delusional. Pixar movies are not simply 'kid's films'. They strive to be fused with a little intellect. Death doesn't have to be the big boogeyman that shouldn't be discussed.

But if that is hard for you to take, just go see the latest 'Madagasgar' or 'Ice Age' if you want brainless, emotionless entertainment.

[Max]

I was sad through the whole movie. The musical themes made it that much harder. Death is very serious to deal with and (at least for me)overshadowed the entire film. I didn't enjoy it.
This Pixar film is going to stay on the shelf.

[David Yzhaki]

What a beautiful review over the musical prespective of this film...
I agree with every word!

I was touched by the movie and as a musician I can say that I can only wish to be part of such a beautiful creation.

Thank you for your input!

[sophie]

I once heard a speaker say that Americans are a very sentimental society. I think that initial sequence in 'Up' and peoples' reactions to it are very indicative of that. Although that part had a very purposeful (I would say manipulative) aesthetic to it, I tend to agree with Max, and (in a much nicer way) Andy. I think the entire film is tinged with a bittersweet sadness. I would probably skip that initial sequence when watching the film on DVD, and especially with my 7 and 5 year old nephews, who found it rather bewildering and slow in the theatre.