Up [U]

Absolute perfection! It is best to go in knowing nothing about UP. It is full of surprises. One thing, the 3D has nothing to do with why this movie is enjoyable. Don't forget folks, it is all about the story and emotion, not the tech - that you won't even be thinking about after a few minutes.

Enjoyed it so much, want to see UP again.

Oflife (DI User), 06/12/09

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Up is Pixar’s 10th film and one of its best. A touching adventure about an old man and a chubby boy, Up reaches for the sky and succeeds.

It’s a bold move from a studio better known for animating kid-friendly creatures like monsters, toys, rats and cars. With Up, the animated movie has grown up – and proves that family films can still be funny, fast and feel-good even when the heroes are human.

Curmudgeonly Carl Fredrickson is a widower for whom life’s lost its meaning since his wife Ellie passed away. Skyscrapers crowd his life-long home and developers are out to oust him. But they’ve reckoned without Carl’s spirit of adventure – and the promise he made to Ellie, that one day they’d have a home in Paradise Falls in deepest South America.

Putting his balloon-salesman past to good use, Carl’s about to move house in a big way – up, up and away. But even he’s reckoned without ultra-keen Wilderness Explorer, 8 year old Russell who’s stowed away on his porch. The two form an unlikely bond and face a series of adventures involving long lost heroes, a flightless bird and a pack of talking dogs.

Directed by Pixar veteran and Monsters Inc. helmer Pete Docter, Up is a breath of fresh air. Known for taking time with stunning visuals, Pixar – now teamed with Disney – have done it again, with some ravishing animation. The balloon-flight is brilliant, multi-coloured shadows washing over the city. And the opening 1930s scene-setter is stunning.

Better still, Docter’s also taken time with the characters. Russell’s an overweight kid from a broken family. And touching its toe in Bridge to Terabithia territory, Up features a fabulous montage as young Carl and tomboy Ellie meet as kids and grow up together through marriage, childlessness and bereavement.

It’s a spirited, eye-watering achievement – audacious and key to establishing Carl as not just a comedy codger for kids to laugh at, but a credible old man who’s lived, loved and lost. Any kids watching it with parents or grandparents will get the gist in a featherlight way, sweetened with Michael Giacchino’s emotive score.

Then come the antics. It’s a crash-landing jolt from which the film struggles to recover or finds its feet, depending on your view. Once Dug the dog turns up, with a hi-tech collar that turns his thoughts into words, we’re into offbeat but safer territory. And Kevin the rare flightless bird hunted by long-lost explorer – and Carl’s hero – Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer), is reminiscent of Big Bird and Roadrunner.

But Up is high on humour and adventure. Dog-pack chases and deadpan sight-gags vie for attention. A biplane dog-fight – literally – and a zeppelin attack on a floating house is brilliantly brought to life.

With voices from Ed Asner (Lou Grant) as Carl, and a nine-year old Jordan Nagai as Russell, Up also eschews Pixar’s usual big-name casting choices. Nothing gets in the way of the story or the humour.

“What makes a film worth watching”, says the director, “is when you go home and you’re still thinking about it”. All ages should say the same about Up: a family film that might even bring families closer together. A cracking adventure with genuine heart. Thumbs up.

Glenn Watson (DI Reviewer), 06/10/09

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