Up: Critical Review of the Film

Disney-Pixar's 2009 entry, Up, is a winner. But you probably knew that once you saw the word "Pixar" attached to it.

Synopsis:
In Up, 78 year old Carl Fredricksen finds himself in a bit of a rut. Depressed over his wife's recent death, and oppressed by some sketchy city planners who are trying to take his house away from him, Carl decides it's time for a long-awaited adventure. Thus begins his epic, balloon filled personal journey. Unfortunately for Carl, 8-year old Russell seems to have snuck his way aboard the house-blimp, and is along for the ride. When the two make a bit of a crash landing somewhere in South America, they find that adventure means all sorts of things: danger, excitement, and...talking dogs.

The fun begins before the movie even starts, thanks to Pixar's tradition of placing a clever and hilarious short film before each of their features. Fortunately for us, the fun of the short carries right through into the feature, and doesn't let down for the entire film.

Should I Take My Kids to See This Film?
It just depends. Up is rated PG, and contains a decent amount of frightening peril. While older children should be fine, this ride may be a bit bumpy for the young ones. If you let your kids see The Incredibles, they should probably be able to handle this one.

Review:
Pixar has a history of doing a number of innovative things with their films that has given them their champion trademark. For one, they make films that are entertaining for everyone, children and adults. Loaded with beautiful computer generated animation, and humor for people of all ages, these guys target just about every demographic and hit them all spot on. They also have a history of creating lovable characters out of inanimate objects and animals. Toys. Bugs. Cars. Robots. Monsters. Rats. Fish. You name it, they've done it.

But what I find most fascinating on the list of Pixar's perks, is their ability to create a film that is entertaining for kids AND adults, yet somehow incredibly insightful for adults specifically. Finding Nemo, for instance, is a love letter to any parent who has had to watch a child grow up and enter the real world. The Incredibles is all about the importance of personal identity and family. And now we have Up, which plucked on my own heartstrings like a guitar. And believe me...it takes a lot for a movie to do that successfully.

Up, at heart, is an adventure film. It's a film about adventure, the narrative is an adventure, and the film challenges it's audience to seek out their own adventures. This movie sends it's messages regarding love, loss, youth, family, and how it all fits in to one incredible lifelong journey straight to the heart. This is movie magic at it's best. Up is a film that everyone can enjoy, and that everyone can take something from.

This film has a Best Animated Picture Oscar locked away, no question. What will be a shame is if it doesn't get a Best Picture nomination. Honestly, this company has been in top shape since their first feature...when is it going to happen? This might be the one, folks, and if it isn't, it will be a bloody shame.

Regardless, Up has my vote, and my heart. I recommend this one to any and all, and if you don't laugh your head off, AND get choked up from time to time...you may be missing a soul. Like Carl Fredricksen's rickety old house, Up soars, up, up, and away.

UP - 10 out of 10