Review of Up (2009) by Ben B — 20 Jul 2014

When a film can move you in its first 10 minutes in a significant way, you know you are in for a possible masterpiece. 'Up' is Pixar at its very best and it goes down as one of my personal favorites of their already strong repertoire.

'Up' is about the elderly, disgruntled Carl Fredricksen (Edward Asner) who lives out his days executing a dull routine. Things change when he meets Russell (Jordan Nagai) and is told he will have to move to a retirement home after a violent incident with a construction worker.

What results is his journey to fulfill his late wife's dream to travel to Paradise Falls. Carl does this by using his skill as a balloon salesman and using the colorful latex devices in order to make his house fly.

This film has everything. Pixar visuals. Check. Humor including a dog named Dug (who talks!). Check. A dark villain named Charles Muntz (Carl's childhood hero) (voiced by Christopher Plummer). Check.

Heart. Check. In so many ways this film is satisfying. Each suspenseful, sad, or ultimately happy moment is brought to life by Pixar's Renderman and is delivered with perfection by a voice cast who clearly get into their roles.

It helps to have a masterful score by Michael Giacchino. As I mentioned, keep your eyes and ears glued to the "Married Love" scene at the beginning. In under 10 minutes, with no words and Giacchino's fitting music, Pete Doctor and co.

portray a charming life full of love, ambition, and tragedy. Not an easy feat. Give 'Up' a watch and prepare for a truly wonderful journey. Adventure is out there.