Get Ready for Adventure!

Rating: 10/10 (31 May 2009)

Up is another piece of true artistry from Pixar. It's the story of an old man named Carl, who has become a grumpy old man after the death of his wife. When he is threatened with the possibility of being put into a retirement home, Carl attaches hundreds of balloons to his house and the house takes flight into the sky. Carl begins to steer the house towards his and his wife's childhood dream, Paradise Falls in South America, where he plans to live out the rest of his life.
Up truly is an excellent piece of film-making; it resonates more so than just about any other film in the Pixar catalogue. Here director Pete Docter has tailored a film that will both make the audience laugh, and cry. Though the film finds its strength in its themes. With this film Pixar has dared to deal with some very heavy themes, such as growing old and one's childhood heroes not always being what we want them to be. The themes are expertly handled by Docter, never feeling heavy-handed, but it is Docter's amazing ability to let the emotion of a scene to play out is what makes this film a true stand out above many other recent animated films. Now this should not fool one into thinking that Up is not a great film for the children as well, because it is.
Up is first and foremost an amazing adventure film. It's action packed, filled to the brim with pulse pounding action sequence after another. Another one of Up's strong suits is its comedy. It is quite possibly the funniest film Pixar has ever made, a large part to due with the wonderful cast of characters within this film. You grow to love Carl Frederickson and the rag-tag crew that follows him. Of course what makes Up a film for the ages is its sheer imagination. No other film in recent memory has sweeped me away into its world quite as well as Up has. The film's world is unique, endlessly filled with original idea after original idea. Who would have ever thought of a house flying through the air, or making a 78 year old man the hero of an adventure story? The guys at Pixar did and it paid off big-time.
Once it is all said and done Up is one of the finer films of the year, and definitely stands amongst Pixar's best (but is there really a worst). While it is sold as a children's film, many adults may find themselves enjoying this film more than their kids, thanks to its often serious subject matter. Though children will love the films flat-out hilarity and its high octane adventure. Up is a true masterpiece.
I give Up a perfect 10 out of 10!