At times amusing-frankly rather odd...

Rating: 4/10 (9 June 2009)

****THIS COMMENT MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***
OK, so I know it was supposed to be a "kid's" movie, which is how most Disney/Pixar titles are advertised, I can't help but feel, after having taken my 3 1/2 y.o. to see it, that it had some pretty 'adult' themes that could have been better left out. And, before I'm besieged by folks saying "IT WAS RATED PG!", (of which I was totally aware), the film to me just seemed to have too many downers that supposed kid-friendly movies can do better or just without altogether.
First, the death of the main character's spouse-complete with hospital stay? Just a little morbid to me. Fortunately, my little guy was enjoying movie snacks through most of that, so he didn't focus on it then, but he asked about her later when we got home. And I had to pull out my best explanation of it for a preschooler.
Then, did anybody else think the 'talking' dogs were just weird? I found them creepy, and my son had a kind of 'head cocked to the side' look along with an ever-present hand on my arm whenever they showed up. Dogs in movies are supposed to be fun, so this one went way on the other side to me.
And, to have them chasing the main characters, along with a very strange bird, and a formerly, high-spirited, but ultimately insane and homicidal adventurer/poacher, just kind of gave it all a bit of a pall to me.
In Pixar's defense, they did add lots of colorful balloons, the requisite cute kid, a hopeful premise (letting go to truly connect), and a smiley ending.
And, my little guy was ecstatic to tell his Grandma about the 'old Daddy' (Fredrickson), the little boy, and how the 'storm made the pictures fall off the wall'.
So, I guess that's all that really matters!