I appreciate different ideas and takes on things, but I think you’re missing literally the WHOLE POINT of the movie lol. Carl loses his sense of wonder and adventure with his wife passing. He wants to honor her and the adventures they didn’t get to go on by moving the house. It was later that he realized that his life with her was his greatest adventure and she tells him to keep having them, in the book. His loss and jaded approach contrasts with Russell who is young, naive and looking for adventure on his own. Basically, by lessening the wife’s role, you kind of take away how she’s the catalyst for the entire movie. It’s like taking Leia out of Star Wars. She’s the glue that brings them altogether as the wife and her passing brings Carl and Russell together on the adventure.

Sorry. You tackle your vision. I just feel that if you’re feeling down during the beginning, then Pixar did exactly what they were aiming for…helping you relate to the character. You know he’s hurt and sad, not just an a**hole.