Analysis of the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist in Pixar’s ‘Up’

Carl Fredricksen | Cartoonica - Nickelodeon cartoons, Disney Channel, Wiki | Fandom

In class, we were analysing the narrative structure of Pixar’s ‘Up’. I missed this lesson, but came to some interesting conclusions regarding the relationship between the protagonist (Carl) and the antagonist (Muntz). On closer inspection, it becomes apparent that despite their fierce conflict, both characters actually have very similar, if not identical, motives. Both Carl and Muntz are fixated with repairing and honouring their past lives; Carl is driven to fulfil him and his deceased wife’s dream, whilst Muntz longs to repair his reputation of being a global exploring icon by claiming the discovery of Kevin (a rare bird). Addiction is a common trait of an antagonist, but Pixar switch this up by also giving the Protagonist the trait of addiction, sewing the seed in our minds that Carl’s motivations may be irrational. In addition to this, Pixar also provide a refreshing choice of protagonist in this film, selecting to tell the less glamorous the story of an elderly man, and further highlighting the trend of Disney films providing domestic messages intended for parents to receive, as they accompany their young children to the cinema. Ultimately the difference between these two characters, and the decision which allows Carl to win the conflict, is his choice to leave his past behind him and focus more on building relationships in the present. This key theme is highlighted by the ending montage of film which exhibits the loving ‘father-son’ like relationship which goes on to be established between Carl and Russell in he future. This style of ending, where it is implied that the story continues beyond what has been shown on the screen, is very effective. It can be found in films such as: Bladerunner, The Dark Knight, and the final film of the first Harry Potter franchise. It works to create the impression that the story is larger than cinema, and that the characters we have bonded to are real people who will continue to live out their stories… the end credits do not mark an end, but instead inform us that we are just getting started.