Up is Amazing-- Cross my heart

Rating: 10/10 (7 June 2009)

After the first 15 minutes of Peter Docter and Bob Peterson's "Up", I was in tears. I kept thinking this does not bode well for me. In those 15 minutes without much dialogue, the miraculous storytelling of Docter, Peterson, and Thomas McCarthy realizes such heart felt poignancy. We see the life of widower Carl Fredricksen and his wife Ellie up until the present. Carl (brilliantly voiced by Ed Asner) is a lonely old man, who believes the best part of his life has passed him. In "Up" Carl was supposed to go on Ellie's dream trip to Paradise Falls in South America, but this does not happen. Instead of surrendering to a retirement home, Carl decides to go on the trip to Paradise Falls by hooking up a fleet of balloons to his house. In the process Carl inadvertently high jacks spirited Wilderness Explorer Scout Russell (wonderful Jordan Nagai). Thus, the adventure begins.
"Up" is the best movie of the year. The animation is visually astounding. Whether we watch Carl's house navigate through the clouds and horrendous storms, or Russell befriending the giant brightly colored mythological bird in the deepest jungles of South America, whom he names "Kevin". As it turns out Kevin is actually a she. The Paradise Falls themselves are amazingly beautiful. I can even be with the more out there narrative elements like dogs talking through electronic collar translators, because it is absurd context. I loved dog Dug (playfully voiced by Bob Peterson), who initially finds Carl and Russell. Turns out, the dogs' owner is famed explorer Charles Muntz (sublimely evil Christopher Plummer), who is also searching for "Kevin" in an attempt to reinvent his ridiculed legacy.
At the heart of "Up" is Carl and Russell. Directors Docter and Peterson create a magical chemistry. At first Russell occurs as an annoying Explorer scout in search of his last merit badge—by helping elderly Carl. Carl is this cantankerous old man, who seems to be waiting out the rest of his life. Throughout he keeps calling to "Ellie" in lieu of speaking to real people—other than Russell. In a hysterical exchange Carl suggests playing a game: Who can go the longest without saying anything? Excited Russell says, "Cool! My Mom loves that game!" However, there is more to Russell than blinding eagerness. While struggling to pitch his tent, Carl inquires why Russell's Dad didn't teach him. Russell replies that his Dad was a great camper, but he didn't get to teach him. Later in the beautiful moment of "Up", Carl looks through Ellie's photo album. Sitting in his chair he mouths, "Cross my heart" Again, I was in tears. "Up" is all eloquence and heart. Docter and Peterson brilliantly balance the hysterical and the touching.
"Up" is all about the wonder and beauty of life. You wonder how Docter and Peterson can circle back and conclude the story. They do, and the fade away scene is as poignant and sweet as anything you will experience. "Up" is beautiful and amazing.