Friday, January 14, 2011

"Despicable Me" vs. Pixar's "Up"

Let's compare and contrast:
UP (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition + Digital Copy)
Despicable Me (Minion Madness DVD Double Pack + Digital Copy)

Both have cranky old men and small neglected soliciting child(ren).
Both have cranky old men that transform into nurturers who love said child(ren) by the end.
Both have "mad scientists".


"Up" has a very depressing premise and the first part may or may not make children question their mortality and future child baring ability.
"D. Me" has "the box of shame".  (Which is hilarious.)

"D. Me" has Steve Carrell
"Up" has Ed Asner (?)

"Up" has overly scary robotically controlled dogs.
"D. Me" has Boogie Robots.  And then Cookie Robots.  (Totally awesome.)

"Up" has a scary bad guy.
"D.Me" has a nerdy bad guy with a shark tank and a shrink ray.

"Up" has balloons.
"D. Me" has super cool futuristic vehicles.

"D.Me" has killer music.
"Up" has forgettable music.  (I'm basing this on the fact that I can't remember the music at all.)

"Up"  has a few funny parts and a handful of redeeming moments. (You can see all the funny moments in the trailer.)
"D. Me" is laugh-out-loud funny all the way through.

Now, I generally love Pixar movies.  And Up does have it's moments, but mostly, it just let me down.  (Pun intended.)
Despicable Me, however, we purchased.  And it continues to make me laugh as my kids watch it ad nauseum.  (I'd have to put the kids on Suicide Watch if they were constantly viewing "Up".)

Therefore, my uneducated and unendorsed opinion is that...

Despicable Me wins hands down!

And now it's time to boogie.
The End

Gru: Uh, question. What are these? 
Dr. Nefario: A dozen boogie robots. Boogie! Look at this! Watch me. 
Gru: Cookie robots! I said cookie robots! Ah, why... why are you so... old?


Edith: When we got adopted by a bald guy, I thought this'd be more like Annie.