"The greatest adventure is just getting back home."
Up - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Adventure is out there!
— Charles Muntz / Ellie Fredricksen
Context:
This is Muntz's catchphrase in the old newsreels that a young Carl watches. Ellie adopts it as her own, shouting it from her clubhouse window to Carl. It becomes a recurring phrase for them throughout their lives, representing their shared dream of going to Paradise Falls.
Meaning:
This is the film's central motto, first introduced by Charles Muntz. For Ellie, it becomes a lifelong call to action and a promise of a future with Carl. The quote embodies the spirit of exploration and the pursuit of dreams. However, the film redefines its meaning, suggesting that adventure is not just in exotic locales but in the life one lives and the relationships one builds.
Thanks for the adventure – now go have a new one!
— Ellie Fredricksen (in writing)
Context:
After his house lands in Paradise Falls, Carl sits down and looks through Ellie's childhood 'Adventure Book.' He discovers she has filled the pages meant for their South American adventure with photos from their long, happy marriage. This quote is written on the final page, discovered by Carl just before the film's climax.
Meaning:
This quote is the emotional turning point for Carl. He believed he had failed Ellie by not taking her to Paradise Falls, but her note reveals that she considered their life together the greatest adventure. It gives him the emotional freedom to let go of his grief and guilt, and to embrace the new adventure he has found himself in with Russell, Dug, and Kevin.
My name is Dug. I have just met you, and I love you.
— Dug
Context:
This is the first thing Dug says to Carl and Russell after they meet him in the jungle. His special collar translates his thoughts into speech, and this is his immediate, unfiltered reaction to meeting them.
Meaning:
This line perfectly encapsulates Dug's innocent, loving, and loyal personality. It’s a humorous and heartwarming expression of a dog's unconditional affection. It represents the film's theme of finding love and connection in unexpected places and serves as a sharp contrast to the initially grumpy and closed-off Carl.
That might sound boring, but I think the boring stuff is the stuff I remember the most.
— Russell
Context:
As Carl and Russell are walking through the jungle, they share a quiet moment and talk about their fathers. Russell wistfully recalls a memory of sitting on the curb with his dad, eating ice cream and counting cars, highlighting his longing for a stronger connection with him.
Meaning:
This poignant line from Russell reinforces the film's core message about the nature of adventure. While speaking about the simple act of counting cars with his absent father, Russell reveals a deep truth: the small, seemingly mundane moments shared with loved ones are often the most precious and memorable. It resonates with the depiction of Carl and Ellie's life in the opening montage.
It's just a house.
— Carl Fredricksen
Context:
At the climax of the film, during the fight with Muntz, the house breaks free from the airship and floats away into the clouds, lost forever. Russell apologizes for the loss, and Carl responds with this line, showing he has let go.
Meaning:
This is a pivotal line that signifies the completion of Carl's character arc. For the entire film, the house has been a sacred symbol of Ellie and their life. By dismissing it so simply, Carl shows that he has finally understood that his memories and love for Ellie are within him, not contained within a physical structure. He has prioritized his new living relationships over his attachment to the past.