L'appuntamento di Carl

There's only so much you can achieve in under ten minutes and Pixar would normally nail it but this little piece of cinema didn't hit the right notes ~ apart from when the sad music begins.

The premise is really, really simple: Carl is asked out on a date and is then bombarded by an incessant stream of the dog prattling on. I'd completely forgotten about the collar from the 2009 original.

Anyway, I wish the writers had given us more time with Carl contemplating the emotional pathway to letting go yet keeping Mrs Carl in his heart. For me, the dog spoiled that tenderness, because it wasn't funny.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, Pixar shorts were simple, understated, and, well...short. Sometimes they even had no dialogue, a charming throwback to the days where the theater's organ player had to do all the story's heavy-lifting.

"Carl's Date" is none of these things. It's overwritten, it tries too hard, and it's definitely too long. Credit where credit is due, Ed Asner does a fine job (Rest in Peace) and if you liked his performance in Up, you'll at least find this watchable. But it's far from one of the best Pixar has to offer. Give me "One Man Band" or "Geri's Game" any time. This? Not so much.

Initially slated to be released on Disney+ as the first episode of 'Dug Days (2021-)' season 2, 'Carl's Date (2023)' was inexplicably promoted to full-blown short film, presumably because the studio realised that they didn't actually have a short to play before 'Elemental (2023)'. The result is, perhaps expectedly, underwhelming. In fact, I'd even say this is less compelling than most (if not all) actual episodes of the show, meaning it would be disappointing even if it were the opener to a straight-to-series second season. To be fair, I think the piece is less effective precisely because it's presented as a pre-Pixar short (plus, although Pixar didn't actually make it, it kind of masquerades as a Pixar film and is therefore subject to a higher level of scrutiny). The piece isn't particularly bad, with solid voice work and several gags that clearly appeal to the intended audience (the kids in the cinema loved it when Dug mentioned rolling in poo). The short is about Carl being invited on a date and becoming increasingly worried as it draws ever nearer. It has some nice theming surrounding his guilt over going on a date with a woman who isn't his late wife, but it doesn't mine this element for all it's worth and feels as though it leaves a lot of potent material untouched in favour of silly "I'm anxious" antics. Still, there are a couple of touching moments that add a bit of gravity to the overall affair. Ultimately, this is a decent yet undercooked short film that doesn't do much to outgrow its straight-to-streaming roots.

I've not seen the dog days show, that can also be streamed at the moment. I assume the shorts we get there are of the same quality as this. Looking forward to watch them in the near future (they are on my never ending list). Talking of lists or trying to move on (I reckon one can say that without an intended pun, right?): Carl is finally moving on - well moving in (no pun intended here either).

If you have seen the movie (Up), you know the characters! One of the best beginnings ever captured on film - no matter if animated or "real". If you did not shed a tear or two (or more) watching that ... well it is almost impossible if you are a functioning human being not to. And like most humans, Carl is also trying to connect with others (again) ... with the help of his dog (I wrote god by accident ... or maybe it would have been another pun?) ... but how much does his dog know about dating? Exactly! A fun little short that is over before you know it ... with some interesting themes and topics (old age, forgetfulness, love, empathy and so much more) ... all packed in a short time ... Pixar, you did it again! And not by accident, so no oops needed.

After Up, this short film now shows us Carl and the dog Doug moving on with their lives. After that adventure, Carl now continues with his life and the new challenges that life can offer, it is his turn to prepare for a date while Doug tries to help. It's a good short film that offers a glimpse into what happened after Up. Doug is a charming character as always. Carl is no longer the grumpy old man we met in Up and it is noticeable that he even manages to move on some time after the death of his wife. It's an enjoyable short film that offers what could be a good epilogue to Up or perhaps the beginning of a new life in Carl's golden years. My rating for this short film is an 8/10.