Soars past every Pixar film to date!

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2013)

You might think that from my summary that I hate Pixar films. The opposite is actually true, I love Pixar films, they're wildly original and inventive with brilliant, unforgettable characters and a narrative with heart. I've not seen a bad Pixar film yet (although I haven't seen Cars). I've been wanting to see Up for a very long time and finally my little (well actually, incredibly tall) blonde friend decided to buy it for me this Christmas in Blu-ray no less (he spares no expense!) and what do I find, after I had expectations as high as Carl's floating house? I find probably the best Pixar film ever! It's probably even the best animated film I've ever seen too. Up ticks every single box and more. It has a genius original plot, sensational characters, a huge heart, is absolutely hilarious and is also incredibly entertaining whilst balancing all of these things.
Up starts with one of the most touching flashback and montage sequences've ever seen. I can't think of a film that gets you teary in the first 5 minutes, but Up manages it. Whilst it didn't squeeze out a very small man tear, it did undeniably move me and also completely engage me into this old man's super sweet life. The character of Carl is so beautifully realised, as he clings onto the past and never having the chance to have a child, his only lasting aspiration is to go to Paradise Falls, where he promised to take his wife (Ellie) all those years ago. The trouble is that Ellie has now sort of become the house and so that obviously has to tag along too.
The image of the house floating off into the sky has already and rightly become iconic. It's a bizarre, yet weirdly awe-some sight and could be symbolism for getting away from a crazy world (like the escapism you get from watching Up!). Now, Carl isn't entirely flawless, he has a temper and there's this rather deep scene where Carl has to go to court after causing someone a head injury! He was also not very nice to a cute and hilarious boy, who happens to be a stowaway on Carl's house. However, of course by the end of this epic journey Carl begins to realise the greatest adventure of all is having a child, or a surrogate grand-child in this case. It's enough to produce tears and chills, seeing such an odd couple become so close.
The look of the film is nothing short of breath-taking. I saw Up in blu-ray and it's probably the best blu-ray I've ever seen and is right up there with The Dark Knight! It looks crisper than a Walker's factory and helps to show off the film's incredibly vibrant colours and imagination. The animation has such depth and detail, and the scope is so huge you can't help but feel transported to another world. And whilst the film can be wonderfully surreal (talking dogs flying aeroplanes anyone?) it never loses sight of its plot and characters. Now the characters are nothing short of genius. Dug the dog is an absolute hoot, and Kevin the bird is just as hilarious. Dug actually speaks like how you'd imagine a dog to speak, it's brilliant! The relationships between the colourful characters are also nothing short of touching and engaging. The theme of protecting nature is much more involving and less patronising than Avatar's attempt at conveying the message. The screenplay is full of wit and endless imagination which helps Up to become an instant classic. I was riveted by the grand chase scenes and profoundly moved by the slower, more character-driven scenes.
Up is the full package. It's a highly engaging and hilarious animation with a fantastic sense of adventure. The wonderful directing and screenplay will have you hooked on one of the greatest animated adventures ever filmed. It's perfect for children but also offers so much more for adults, as it boldly explores some heart-wrenching ideas and touching relationships. By the end of it I felt as uplifted as Carl's house! It's a tale for our times, a wonderful feat of the imagination and a refreshingly original tale. Pixar's out done itself again, but Up will be preposterously difficult to beat. Do yourself a favour and watch Up on blu-ray!