Pixar does it again!!!!

Rating: 9/10 (9 February 2010)

Pixar's track record with producing not only exceptional CGI animation films but films in general is a spectacular feat. No doubt the word 'Pixar' will remind you of such classics as 'Toy Story', 'Finding Nemo' and the visually jaw-dropping 'WALLE'. So it was with no surprise that I was full of anticipation when I collected my cinema ticket. There is always the danger of great disappointment when one anticipates the release of a film. Was I disappointed? No. 'Up' follows the story of retired Carl Fredricksen and his unlikely companion Russell, who is seventy years his junior, on Carl's quest to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. This dream plants a seed which turns into a poetic love story, a heartbreaking tale of bereavement and a thrilling adventure. The opening minutes of the film details Carl's earlier life in magnificent fashion showing storytelling at it's finest. The particular use of beautifully composed snapshots to document Carl's marriage illustrates the effectiveness of simplicity. Unsurprisingly I heard a fellow cinema-goer whisper "Well, that was a great movie!" after a timely fade-down bringing the film's opening sequence to a close. It is shortly after this that the audience see the film elevated by Carl taking to the sky in his house using an assortment of vibrant helium filled balloons. Up's setting is then suddenly transformed into a luscious jungle where it becomes evident that Carl's uninvited companion isn't going to be his only pain. After meeting the character Dug who is – in true Pixar style – a hilarious talking dog, Carl finds his motives changing taking the film into its final stage where the Directors Docter and Peterson deliver a spectacular air battle. Seeing 'Up' will leave viewers satisfied through the way it delicately approaches subject matters whilst distributing plenty of laughs. Encouraging audiences to dream big, 'Up' successfully fulfills its own dream making it one of Pixar's finest animated films.