For several reasons last year's Wall-E failed to move me, Ratatouille didn't impress me as much as it seemed to everyone else, but Up ranks right up there with Finding Nemo and Monster's Inc. as one of my favourite Pixar films.
Up breaks the mould in terms of family entertainment as our hero and main character Carl Fredricksen is a grumpy, not particularly attractive old man. A beautiful montage takes us on a journey through Carl's life from age 8 where he meets his future bride Ellie, their courtship, marriage and happy life until her passing at a ripe old age.
Feeling disconnected from the world Carl decides to honour his promise to Ellie and take them on an adventure to South America. He attaches thousands of balloons to his house and lifts off. However it is not long until he discovers he is not alone - Russell, an eight-year-old Wilderness Explorer has come knocking on Carl's door looking to earn a merit badge for service to seniors and has inadvertently been caught up in the adventure.
The characters are fun, caricatures that aren't overcooked and the film provides glorious moments for them all. Carl, Russell, a mummy-bird Russell names Kevin and Dug the Dog (who can talk thanks to the invention of a handy electronic collar) set out on the biggest adventure of their lives with plenty of drama and slapstick comedy with warm glowing moments to warm the heart.
As of yet the film has only been screened here in 2D, but the animation was excellent and I can't wait to see how it looks in full Disney 3D. The colours are bright, the detail is flawless and the characters, props and scenery are impeccably designed.
This is the kind of film I wish Disney would make more of - humour, heart and brilliant characters. Fun for the whole family.
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4 Stars
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