Up

Rating: 10/10 (1 June 2009)

Up is a new family friendly 3D animated feature from Walt Disney Studios and Pixar Animation. I do not always go to see family films, usually because I feel they are aimed at more of a younger audience and there is not much for me to enjoy, or be entertained by. Up is a different story entirely. Once, I started to see all the glowing reviews of the film, I figured I would at least give it a chance and I was so glad I did. I think there is a lot here that adults will enjoy and reflect upon and enough that will entertain children and keep them interested and make them laugh. For adults the plot does deal with aging and overcoming obstacles and learning to reach your dreams and deal with the sadness and loneliness in your life. The film does briefly deal with some of these issues which are more, or less things that will happen to everyone of us at some point in our lives, which is just a natural part of getting older and losing our mobility and perhaps losing the ones we love. Although we all know this will happen to us sooner than later, as the film shows, it is still not easy. While some adults may feel that these issues are not what they would want to subject their children to, don't worry because this film is a great film to see with the whole family and while there are some mature and thematic elements to it, it is nothing a child could not handle and it is not done in a disrespectful, or disturbing way. It may be sad, but wasn't also a lot of other Disney films that children have been watching for years? Also for the youngsters in the audience the film deals with adventure and again following your dreams, making friends and doing the right thing. Both of the main characters in the film seem to learn these life lessons from one another and they make a captivating, funny and charming two leads to this film. While, I appreciated the subtle and more thematic moments of the film there was still a lot of uplifting moments that were both touching and sweet. There was a lot of comedy as we are introduced to some wonderfully creative creatures later in the film and also a subplot that deals with good versus evil and a final showdown that will keep everybody watching. Up is a thoughtful and sometimes thought provoking film, but it still has the other qualities like humour, magic and adventure that families love about these kind of films. Not to mention that I really enjoyed the animation as well. I left the audience feeling really uplifted at the end of this film and it was a thoroughly entertaining 90 minute film and sometimes I even wish it had been longer. Another great addition to this year's lineup of movies including Adventureland and Drag Me To Hell (not family films though) and one of the best films of the year so far.