An excellent grown-up film that kids can also enjoy

Rating: 10/10 (18 June 2009)

Just watched the 3D version last night with my 17-year old daughter. I have to admit, I am a huge Miyazaki fan and have often poo-pooed on sugary sweet and idiotic American mainstream animations for lacking subtle nuances and emotional intelligence, but I was just blown away by 'Up' for its completeness.
Kids will love this movie for its hilarious comedy moments and suspenseful action scenes, and still get the full money's worth of experience. However, 'Up' definitely has the undertone that resonates more deeply with those of us who have had few years of life experience under our collective belts and let us emotionally connect with the main character with ease. Astonishingly, the film accomplishes this emotional connection with audience, which I believe is one of the most important foundations of any good movie that too many movies of late fail to achieve miserably, in the first 10 minutes through very poignant and elegantly put together flashbacks.
In the end, everything about this movie - streamlined yet warm visuals, simple yet emotionally powerful story line that buoys the entire movie, real life events masterfully intertwined with out-of-this-world imaginative adventure, and melancholy yet uplifting undercurrent - all reminded me of my all-time favorite Miyazaki movie, 'My Neighbor Totoro'.
I am very happy and pleased to see that another excellent animation studio is finally emerging and raising itself and animation as a legitimate movie genre to the highest artistic level as Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli has been for many years.