Up [PG]

Carl is a retired balloon salesman who, after years of marriage, never achieved his dream of being a high-flying adventurer. But when life gets to its lowest point for Carl, he finally takes the last chance for adventure that comes knocking. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, Carl sets sail for Paradise Falls to live atop a waterfall, a dream that both he and his wife, Ellie, shared. But Carl’s adventure takes a turn he didn’t expect when he gets lost in the jungle with an overeager 8-year old scout named Russell, a dog with a collar that allows him to speak named Dug, and a rare and endangered flightless bird. 

This has to be one of Pixar’s most incredible adventure films. It’s a beautiful story of unlikely friendship and family formation combined with an amazing adventure as well as a few scenarios that are a little more mature. When I first saw this movie, the beginning actually made me cry. The severity of the scene will go over the heads of the junior audience, but for those of us who are more mature, it’s really sad. But the sadness and tragedy is taken care of at the very beginning, leaving the path clear for adventure, loveable characters, and comedy for the whole family. It’s a really wonderful film. 

Carl is a retired balloon salesman who, after years of marriage, never achieved his dream of being a high-flying adventurer. But when life gets to its lowest point for Carl, he finally takes the last chance for adventure that comes knocking. Typing thousands of balloons to his house, Carl sets sail for Paradise Falls to live atop a waterfall, a dream that he and his wife, Ellie, both shared. But Carl’s adventure takes an unexpected turn when he gets lost in the south American jungle with an overeager 8-year old scout named Russell, a dog with a collar that allows him to speak named Dug, and a rare and endangered flightless bird named Kevin. 

This really is just a beautiful film all around. As it’s a Pixar achievement, the animation is dazzling, but it’s the blend that makes up the story that’s the real clincher I think. 

Everything about this story was right: it’s set around an adventure which then escalates into an entirely different adventure that none of the characters could ever have imagined. The beginning brings forth the tragedy and drama of the story, giving it more depth for the mature members of the audience, and then it’s smooth sailing until the climax, which is equally as exciting as any action movie. The whole thing is just fabulous and an animated classic that does not segregate its audience but holds good wholesome enjoyment for everyone. 

Featuring the voice talents of Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo, Jerome Ranft, and John Ratzenberger, Up is a wonderful and wholly delightful and uplifting family film that’s filled with comedy, drama, sadness, romance, action, adventure, beautiful animation, and memorable characters. For any Pixar fan, it’s definitely a keeper and I am so glad to have it in my collection.