Adventure is Out There! The Importance of Maturity and Persistence According to Disney’s Up
In Disney’s Up, the main character, Carl Fredricksen, has been dreaming of embarking on an adventure to South America since he was a child. But as he grew older, that initial adventurous spirit began to fade, and he settled into a quiet and comfortable life with his beloved wife Ellie. When she passes away, Carl finds himself alone and without a real sense of purpose. But, after an unexpected turn of events, he decides to pursue his childhood dream and sets off, with his flying house and an unlikely companion, on a true adventure.
In Up, we see lessons about the importance of maturity and persistence in pursuing our goals and following our dreams, no matter how unlikely or challenging they may seem. Carl is not the only character who learns these important lessons in Up. Other Disney characters like Simba, Ariel, and Belle also provide insights into the importance of perseverance and courage in achieving our goals.
Simba, the young lion from The Lion King, starts off as a carefree and mischievous cub but after his father’s tragic death, he is forced to leave his home and start a new life in the wilderness. He faces many challenges, but he never gives up. Simba is able to mature and overcome his fears, ultimately fulfilling his destiny as the king of the Pride Lands. As the wise Rafiki once said, “The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.”
Similarly, Ariel from The Little Mermaid also sets off on an adventure that is both daunting and full of risks. Against her father’s wishes, she seeks a life beyond the ocean, where she falls in love with a human prince. In her journey to become human, Ariel must confront difficult challenges and overcome personal obstacles. But her persistence and courage allow her dream to become a reality.
Belle from Beauty and the Beast sets off on a brave adventure of her own when she takes her father’s place as the prisoner of the beast. Belle’s ability to look beyond the surface and see the beauty within the Beast helps her to find her own strength and courage to face the challenges of her situation. She ultimately learns to love him, and in doing so, transforms him into a loving and kind prince.
As Carl sets out on his own adventure, he is accompanied by the young, energetic Russell. Russell’s persistence and determination are a perfect complement to Carl’s own stubbornness. Through their journey together, Carl is forced to confront his own limitations and fears. The unlikely duo discovers that while pursuing your dreams can be difficult and scary, it is ultimately worth it. They prove that age and experience do not dictate how unpredictable the journey of life can be.
In one of the most memorable scenes of the movie, the characters are traveling above the clouds in their flying house. As they exclaimed with excitement at the breathtaking view, they were reminded that there is so much adventure and beauty to be found in the world when we simply lift our heads up and allow ourselves to see it.
Through the eyes of Disney characters like Carl, Simba, Ariel, Belle, and Russell, we see the importance of maintaining a sense of adventure and curiosity in life. When we face obstacles, we too must show maturity and perseverance to see our dreams become reality. Just like Carl’s house, our lives can be lifted up in an instant if we only keep on moving forward and believing that adventure is out there.
As Carl said, “Adventure is out there!” and it is up to us to seize it, no matter how unconventional or risky it may seem. So let’s take a cue from these Disney characters and not let fear or age keep us from the many adventures that await us. Life is too precious and too short to let it pass us by.
Disney’s Up teaches the importance of maturity and persistence in pursuing our dreams, along with characters from The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. Adventure is out there – we must embrace it with courage and determination.
“Adventure is out there!” – Carl Fredricksen, Disney’s Up
