Movie Review: Pixar's "Up" Wows as Joyous Celebration of Life's Goals

Animation studios Pixar and Disney are world famous for crafting heart tugging movies full of lovable, even intolerably warm and fuzzy lead characters. No matter who you are, or where you're from, even the most hardened hearts amongst us prove vulnerable to these beloved icons of mirth. Bambi makes our collective heart melt. Dumbo forces us to flash silly grins. Nemo and Dory stir hearty laughter. Animated creatures, toys, bugs, fish, monsters, rats, superheroes, princess and princesses deliver catchy lines, while romping in the most zany of adventures. They're terminally cute, cuddly, original, funny and memorable. One thing they're usually not however is old. Pixar's latest computer animated feature, Up thankfully changes that, by giving us a lead character who is a 78 year old man. There's a new kind of hero to root for - one who collects Social Security.

Sure, there are exceptions to the lack of the elderly in animation. Pinocchio's Gepetto is one, but aside from him, Disney classic house of mouse doesn't showcase the geriatric side of life all too well. I guess you could include the wicked stepmother from Cinderella , but she's a nasty villain. Don't worry if you think an action adventure movie about a fellow who's 2 years shy of being an octogenarian will be slow moving. Carl Fredericksen (Ed Asner) - though grumpier than the Grinch and Oscar the Grouch's love child - gets around with his tennis ball footed walker, way better than old guy Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones any day of the week.

He's joined on this adventure, though not by choice, by Russell (Jordan Nagai), a cherubic kid who gives a bad name to Wilderness Explorers. Russell couldn't be more dedicated to earning still more merit badges for his already crowded sash, but these days he's pretty clueless. We find out that Russell's Dad just doesn't have time anymore to support him as he did while his son collected his older merit badges.

Herein lies the film's most effective connective plot threads. Russel's father's not around, and Carl lost his wife years ago. Like her husband, she sought to roam the world and live life's adventures to the fullest. Without his partner in exploration, Carl feels lost. That his city has mutated into a congested urban nightmare - complete with threat of demolishing his home - emotionally burdens him to the breaking point. When it comes, it's a riveting turning point. Carl realizes he must take flight, figuratively and literally.

Up poses a question we've all pondered: If I tied enough helium filled balloons to my house, would I get liftoff and flight? Ok, maybe we all haven't stayed awake nights contemplating such a zany, Zen mind trip, but the concept is incredibly intriguing. When Carl's 'balloon blimp' contraption lifts his little cottage off into the sky, it's a breathtaking moment. The resulting coruscating colors reflecting off windows of nearby buildings, married to the smooth hypnotism of the house flying is true cinematic poetry. As a fan of all kinds of animation, this scene completely dazzled me. It's an awe inspiring example of how computer generated images can soar far beyond anything hand drawn.

Charles F. Muntz (Christopher Plummer) voices an intrepid, though mysterious blimp piloting explorer. Muntz is Carl's boyhood hero, and the dashing, aged embodiment of our own hero's exploring heart and soul. When Russell and Carl meet up with him unexpectedly, Up swings around full circle, and twists so surprisingly and entertainingly, it's as if you're immersed in a time worn fable.

The movie does tread into some darker violence, but it's no worse than many of Disney's most classical villains like Gaston from Beauty and The Beast or the Wicked Queen in Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. Up is a wholly original, visually stunning and satisfying action packed thrill ride. Most importantly of all, Pixar's Up shows us just how much we need goals and need each other. It's never too late (Carl) and never too early (Russell) to set them, and strive to attain them. But most powerful, and magical of all, is when our goals can be achieved by combining forces and coming together. It's an unforgettable lesson Up gives to us all.