Above and beyond an animated film

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2010)

I am 21 years old and never in my life have I cried at a movie. I always thought that one should bestow tears on matters of the day-to-day tragedy of existence. Yet the first 10 minutes of Up blew away my every belief.
The movie tells the story of an old man following a childhood dream, whilst trying to fulfill a promise, in a flouting house held up by balloons. And the thousand balloons that lift his house are the thousand of desires, wishes, longings that every one of us has had throughout our lives but never had the courage to follow.
It speaks about freedom in a manner that seems so familiar, and yet equally unreachable; it speaks about the importance of holding on to the past but also of how to embrace the present by releasing past resentments. I got sucked in such a roller-coaster of emotions, that I found myself laughing my pants off while crying like a new-born. It has such a strong message, but packed in a story that everyone can watch and enjoy, no matter the age.
And we draw the lessons from our own existence. And that process is a unique experience for each and every one of us. You can find out why a dog loves its master, the importance of a legacy, the downfall of an obsession or why counting colored cars is good for a child. But of course, one can also learn ten ways to fight with a cane.
But in the very end you realize that it's never too late or hard to make one of your dreams come true, but if, on the way, you take somebody else's dream and you give it a nudge, the experience might prove even more rewarding.
The best animation feature I have ever watched and one of the best movies that I have ever enjoyed. If you haven't watched it yet, find it, buy it, and love it.