On December 22, the crew got together for the biggest movie going event since...well I really don't remember. I mean I have never spent 14 dollars on a movie ticket before but I guess that's what I should expect heading into the next decade. I didn't mind at all spending 14 dollars to see Avatar in IMAX 3D. I had never seen a movie in 3D so I was pretty excited and Avatar did not disappoint. By no means a great movie, but very impressive and just really really cool. I have never seen a movie like that before and the more you think about it, it grows on you. Well done James Cameron, that was a visual treat!
The following day saw the movie crew cut in half, only Jeff Feldman made the trip and we only had to pay a measly 10 dollars (did I just say that) to see Up in the Air. Going into it, I didn't really know what it was about. All I really knew was that it was getting serious praise and hype. Up in the Air held up and some. It was easily the best movie I saw in 2009, slightly edging Up. A little under 2 hours, the movie does everything it wants to and really touches the viewer.
Starting with the director Jason Reitman, one of the best young directors today. His two movies before this were Juno and Thank You For Smoking, two great movies in my opinion. Up in the Air tops both of them as Reitman does a phenomenal job and has written a wonderful screenplay.
The plot is fairly simple, George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham who works in a company that has him flying around the country, going to random offices to fire employees. Ryan loves what he does and loves living out of his suitcase. He does not let anything tie him down. When a new girl Natalie is hired to the company, she develops a method that will have the company fire workers over the internet, hence grounding Ryan and destroying the life he loves.
He takes Natalie around the country teaching her the intricacy's of the job. While Natalie learns the disheartening realities of the job, Ryan starts to change his perspective on the life he lives as he begins to fall for Vera Farmiga's character Alex, who like she said, is Ryan with a vagina.
Jeff and I agreed, the cast does an amazing job in this film and that starts with Clooney. An incredible performance from quite possibly the best actor out there today. You will notice a change in him halfway through the movie and that is when Up in the Air really takes off. While Clooney carries the movie, every supporting cast member does a great job.
The first half of the movie is great but it is the second half that really starts to captivate the audience. The slow transformations in the movie and the characters, especially Clooney really deliver. The message that Ryan delivers in his motivational speeches is finally challenged by the growing relationship between him and Alex.
I don't want to give away anything but I absolutely loved the ending of the movie. It really leaves you with something that is touching, realistic and poignant.
I wouldn't classify Up in the Air as a romantic comedy but there are definitely elements of both. Whatever you want to classify it as, it is still a fantastic movie. The movie also features an incredible soundtrack that really works in every scene.
Unlike Juno, Up in the Air doesn't suffer from being too indie cute. I though Ellen Paige was great but I thought her character was annoying and I wasn't a big fan of the soundtrack. Up in the Air avoids all that and really puts it all together and reminds me of why I love going to the movies. The message that life is up in the air for everyone, especially for those that lost their jobs is fascinating and moving. Up in the Air is a must see this holiday break and you would be doing yourself a great injustice by not going to the theater and seeing it. You will not be disappointed
Final Rating: 4/4
Best movie of 2009 (And I just hyped this up way too much...Sorry!)
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