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Written by Movie Megan
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Movie Megan Rating: 
5 out of 5
Recommended For: Preschool age and above
Starring: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer, Delroy Lindo and John Ratzenberger
Directed By: Pete Docter
Running Time: 1 hr. 29 min.
MPAA Rating: PG for some peril and action
Genre: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Family and Animation
Carl Fredricksen (Edward Asner) is a retired balloon salesman who has always dreamed of traversing the world on countless adventures. So before he is forced into Shady Acres Retirement Community, he hatches a plan to live out his dreams once and for all. Attaching thousands of balloons to his house, Carl takes off into the air, making his way to South America. But when 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer Russell (Jordan Nagai) accidentally hitches a ride, Carl's journey takes an unexpected twist.
Let's face it. When it comes to family films both parents and kids can enjoy, Pixar takes the prize every time. So when I saw the trailer for their newest film UP, my expectations were high. Though it seems, not high enough. UP exceeded my expectations in every way, touching audiences in a way Finding Nemo and WALL-E couldn't even come close to. I'm talking about a tug on the heartstrings that calls for a pocketful of tissues.
Don't get me wrong, UP isn't a full-length tearjerker. It has enough laughs to put a stitch in your side, enough suspense to put you on the edge of your seat, and enough twists and turns to keep younger audiences enthralled. But its subtle portrayals of what means the most in life can make even the toughest person a bit misty-eyed.
The story may be farfetched, and the human/animal animation isn't exactly a monumental breakthrough like in Ratatouille, but the technique and delivery cannot be matched. I'll be so bold as to claim that it won't be matched in the year 2009.
Even though its the first 3D Pixar film, you won't find any gimmicky effects, only breathtaking landscape depth and vamped suspense. Make sure to get to the theater in plenty of time--you don't want to miss the Pixar animated short at the beginning, Partly Cloudy.
PROS
Audiences will relate to several of the issues examined in UP, possibly even all of them, from a dad who doesn't visit his children very much, to losing a spouse, to having too much pride, to obsessing over the past, to not being able to have children... Yes, all of those themes are in there, plus many more. But UP never comes across heavy-handed. With just a single word or facial expression, even the youngest kids in the audience will understand. And that is where film can make a deep impact in our children's lives.
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW
The villain in the film, who is an old man, can be a bit scary at times. There are a few intense scenes with him that might frighten sensitive kids. There are chase scenes, a sword fight, several animals are injured, there is a lot of falling and swinging above extreme heights, and guns are used on occasion.
OVERALL
Best animated family film of the year by far. What are you waiting for, go see it!
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Movie Megan |
| About the author: |
| Megan has been involved in countless plays and musicals in her lifetime. Her experience both in the spotlight and backstage, as well as playwriting and film-making, has seasoned her into a well-rounded film critic. She enjoys the excitement of finding the diamonds in the rough for you and your family, even if it means sitting through hours of tasteless or boring films. Email Movie Megan
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