There's only one way for Pixar to go and that is...

Rating: 8/10 (3 June 2009)

Yet again, and why are we still surprised at this?, Pixar has dazzled and amazed all of us who believe that movies have the ability to rise above mediocrity and simple-mindedness no matter what genre. Gradually, these genius computer animators have grown more mature in their writing, bringing alive characters that perhaps kids would like but adults would almost certainly love. It seemingly started with Ratatouille, but these elements were evident even in Finding Nemo or The Incredibles. Here, it all comes together in an incredible array of sparkling animation and vivid storytelling that will show audiences once again that Pixar has a monopoly on animated films.
There are sequences done here that no other studio would dare touch, much less for an animated movie (consider the silent sequence depicting Carl and Ellie's life together). But, Pixar is so far above the average and ordinary, they dare to dream and tell the story in a way so different and more effective. Our hero here is Carl Fredrickson, a 78-year old retired balloon salesman who has lost his wife of many years and is feeling the effects of pressure on elderly people by the world. He decides to pay tribute to his wife by attaching thousands of balloons to his house and float away to Paradise Falls, a secret place in South America he and his wife vowed to go to one day. However, things happen, such as an ambitious 8-year old boy scout trying to earn his final badge stows away and they find a giant, exotic bird named Kevin, and a dog that can talk named Dug. The more I think about this story, the more I like it. For my taste, it doesn't reach the magical levels of Wall-E, Ratatouille, or the the original classic Toy Story, but it pulverizes movies made for the pop culture crowd like the Shrek movies, Ice Age, and Monsters vs. Aliens.
Perhaps the biggest asset to Pixar is Disney, which gives them a seemingly unlimited amount of resources to create worlds that are wondrous to experience. Every single one of their movies are at the top of computer animation for that time and this is no exception. The color palette which director Pete Docter is working with exceeds all levels of imagination and makes for a glorious adventure. And the characters are likable as well as not likable at some points along the way. A mixture of mirth and fantasy, Up is an adventure like no other. Kids may like it, adults will love it. And as for Pixar, there is only one direction for them to go and that would be... up.