Up (2009)

O Masterpiece

X Excellent

O Good

O OK

O Mediocrity

O Avoid

Review by Jason Pyles / May 29, 2009

Much like an escaped helium balloon, “Up” climbs quickly, but it only ascends so high before it is blown around by the required winds of action sequences. Even so, Disney-Pixar’s new animated film begins like a masterpiece.

First of all, we meet a boy whose eyeglasses resemble the 3-D glasses we’re wearing as spectators, and we see him sitting in a movie theater, making us immediately identify with his character. We like him because he’s like us.

Next this boy whose name is Carl meets a girl named Ellie. They both want to be adventurer-explorers like their hero, Charles Muntz, whose travels take him to Paradise Falls in South America. From the couple’s childhood meeting, “Up” proceeds with a bittersweet and beautiful passage-of-time montage that highlights their lives together.

The most successful animated films are those that offer something for each member of the family. The less ambitious movies rely on the distasteful practice of including sexual innuendo or suggestive symbolism to keep the adults’ attention, but “Up” provides a touching love story with a potency rarely summoned by animation.

As the movie’s previews reveal, Carl (Ed Asner) is the elderly man who ties hundreds of helium-filled balloons to his house, enabling it to float away with him inside of it. Carl is leaving because he has an old promise to keep. But the aged traveler also has a stowaway onboard his airborne abode — young Russell (Jordan Nagai), a Wilderness Explorer endeavoring to earn his “Assisting the Elderly” badge.

The boy’s unintentional annoyance to the old man who secretly regards the kid fondly calls to mind the strained relationship between “Dennis the Menace” and Mr. Wilson. The discordant duo’s adventures usher in the action scenes and the animals.

Notably, many animated films give animals the ability to speak, usually without explanation. But “Up” gives a reason for granting dogs the gift of tongues. Surely the hilarious canine dialogue is what dogs would say if they were articulate. Having human beings amid a society of talking dogs is reminiscent of “Planet of the Apes.”

As is the Pixar tradition, “Up” is preceded by an exceptional, animated short film titled “Partly Cloudy.” Oh, and there are a few 3-D trailers for upcoming movies, including the teaser for “Toy Story 3,” which is slated for release in 2010.

By the way, moms and dads should note that “Up” is rated PG — not G. The film has some mild violence, including two instances of actual bloodshed and some dog attacks, that might give parents pause.

Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson

Ed Asner / Jordan Nagai / Christopher Plummer

Animation     96 min.

MPAA Rating: PG (for some peril and action)