My love for Pixar grows ever stronger

Rating: 10/10 (15 October 2009)

This is my first review after joining the IMDb fold and what a movie to review!! Ever since Pixar wow'd me with Toy Story i've been continuously impressed with their ability to better themselves both creatively and visually. I would say the only weak film in Pixar's arsenal would be Cars.
Last year I was totally bowled over and consumed by WALL-E. As soon as I saw WALL-E i was taken back to my childhood and reminded of the movie Silent Running. Silent Running embedded itself into my mind and I fell in love with it. WALL-E grabbed me in the same way, in my opinion it was flawless. Beautifully made and beautifully animated. How could Pixar top it? Up has pushed the frontier even further and when you read a brief plot outline for the movie many people will comment that the idea is insane! Let me tell you that seeing this movie will stimulate your emotions hugely. Within the first 20 minutes you'll be taken on a roller-coaster ride of emotion!!! You'll feel everything, depression, sadness, joy, happiness, anger....and all there is to back this up on screen is a beautifully written soundtrack and a truly astounding visual story.
The start of the film sets the scene, giving you a run through of how Carl Fredericksen's life has unfolded from his early childhood heroes, to the meeting of his future wife, to his despair of her passing. They had always planned to adventure together to South America but it was never mean't to be. Carl is alone and sad. Whilst all of this has been happening the world has continued to change and the grassy fields that once surrounded his home have now turned to Skyscrappers. After an innocent accident forces the authorities to put Carl into a retirement home, Carl takes action and decides to tie thousands of helium balloons to his house (which he also calls Ellie after his wife) and seek the adventure which he never had with his beloved wife. Tagging along with him, also by accident is a young "Wilderness Explorer" Russell. Giving more of the movie away would be criminal but to just paint a brief picture, the pace of the movie is great, a few more characters come along for the ride and there is a central villain type character towards the last third.
The animation is wonderful and the story is absolutely top notch. I have read a few comments regarding the whole concept not being suitable for children. I guarantee that this is 100% suitable for all ages. Pixar have this wonderful ability to address situations such as the environment, right & wrong and even death, and paint a picture that can translate to everyone. I watched this movie in 3D with my partner, my 8 year old daughter and my 11 year old son and we all happily gave ourselves over to this picture and journeyed with it. I truly love this movie and could easily watch it again and again. I don't think any review can do it justice so please go and pay your money and see it for yourself.
10 out of 10 all day long.