Summary
The heartbreaking montage at the beginning of the animated filmUpfinally got a live-action remake in John Krasinski’s $185 million movie.Pixar’sUpis notorious for Carl and Ellie’s montagein the movie’s opening sequence. In just a few minutes, viewers watch the trajectory of their happy lives up until the twist of Ellie’s death. Viewers will never forget the sheer joy and satisfaction of watching Carl and Ellie living their best lives together, only to end in such a heartbreaking twist within the film’s first five minutes.
Fans still discuss this opening sequence even over a decade later.Uptook Pixar to the next level, largely because of this montage. Although Disney is notorious for remaking live-action films, Pixar is not rushing to join them soon, asthe studio won’t develop any live-action remakes. Therefore,a live-actionUpis highly unlikely. However,Ryan Reynolds and John Krasinski’s movie streaming nowon Paramount+ mirrorsUp’s opening segment, providing a live-action version of what this sequence would look like in real life.

1 Subtle Detail In IF Helps Explain The Most Confusing Aspect Of Bea’s Imaginary Friend
The heartwarming twist of Bea’s Imaginary Friend in IF was briefly hinted at in the film and aligns with her strong desire to be seen as an adult.
IF’s Opening Sequence Is Just Like Up’s Heartbreaking Montage
IF And Up Both Feature Families That End In Tragedy
Krasinski’s filmIF, which stands for Imaginary Friends, opens with a sequence similar toUp. Yet, it is not quite the same.IF’s first scene is a montage of two young parents and their child, Bea, living their lives to the fullest. However,the opening inIFends with Bea’s mom becoming sick. Although the circumstances are different, this beginning sequence evokes emotions similar toUp. Bea’s family enjoys life, from playing games to celebrating Halloween. These events lead to Bea’s mother spending time in the hospital, and when the montage ends, the audience learns that Bea’s mom has died.
Up’s Montage Is Superior To IF’s Opening
Up Is Far More Devastating Than IF
AlthoughIF’s opening sequence is gut-wrenching, it still does not compare to Disney Pixar’sUp, which is far more devastating. It may be a short sequence, but viewers got to knowCarl and Ellie inUp’s heartbreaking opening. They watch the pair meet and fall in love, with their lives playing out in just enough detail thataudiences feel Carl’s devastation by the time Ellie dies.IFdoes not connect with the audience in the same way. The opening sequence is much shorter, which is not necessarily a problem if it can evoke similar feelings, but it does not.
The montage could have reached Up’s level if viewers saw how Bea’s parents fell in love and established their lives before her mom became sick and died.

IF’s montage is too brief and not in chronological order. Viewers do not know how this family came to be; they are justa typical happy family when tragedy strikes. AlthoughIFis a sweet film, the opening sequence does not hit quite the same way asUpdoes. The montage could have reachedUp’s level if viewers saw how Bea’s parents fell in love and established their lives before her mom became sick and died. If the beginning sequence had occurred that way, viewers would have been much more likely to viewIFon a level similar toUp.
Despite the speedy opening sequence,IFdoes not disappoint. The film is reminiscent of precious childhood memories. AlthoughIFis a bit slow initially, it picks up speed and satisfies the audience with a thrilling conclusion to Bea’s story that includes an unexpected but well-written plot twist. Even though the movieis not on the same level asUp,IFis a heartwarming filmthat evokes the inner child of viewers. The montage at the beginning of the movie might not be perfect, but the rest of the film certainly makes it worthwhile.

IF
Cast
IF, originally titled Imaginary Friends, is a comedic fantasy film written and directed by John Krasinski. A young girl who experiences a tragic moment early in her life discovers she can see the imaginary friends of others who leave them behind as they grow older.
Up
Pixar’s Up follows widower Carl (Ed Asner) who travels to South America with young wilderness explorer Russell (Jordan Nagai) by attaching thousands of balloons to his home after the bank threatens to foreclose on it. Discovering the legendary Paradise Falls, Carl meets his childhood hero, explorer Charles Muntz. However, Muntz isn’t the kind-hearted man Carl hoped he would be, and the grieving widower finds himself pitted against his former idol.