Up (U)

People that think that Disney Pixar films are just for kids need to see this film because it is a gem that will appeal to all ages. It is funny, the characters are fantastic, the visuals are amazing and it tells a lovely story too.

Up tells the story of an old man, Carl Fredricksen, who had been obsessed with exploration all his life, along with his wife Ellie. When they were just kids, Carl promised Ellie that he would move their clubhouse to Paradise Falls in South America where it was believed that their hero, Charles Muntz had set off in search of a mysterious bird. They fall in love and end up living in their renovated clubhouse. When Ellie dies, Carl becomes a recluse- a cold, unhappy person with no friends. One day he realises he never fulfilled his promise that he made to Ellie. This realisation combined with the pressure to move to a retirement home forces Carl to go on the adventure they had always dreamed about.

He takes off in his house aided with many brightly coloured balloons in search of Paradise Falls. Mid air, Carl receives a knock at his door- it is Russell, a young boy who wants to help Carl so he could achieve his ‘Assisting the Elderly” Wilderness Explorer badge. Carl hadn’t had human interaction for a long time and had become a very grumpy, unfriendly person so finds Russell’s friendliness overwhelming. Along the journey, he starts to care for Russell and the other animals and finds out that Charles Muntz was not the hero he had been obsessed with as a youngster.

It does have a message, like most Pixar films do but it is really sweet and funny all the same. Carl began as a selfish old man who had one goal- to reach Paradise Falls on his own with his house intact. Along the way, he realises that having companions on the journey isn’t a burden and he learns to appreciate Russell’s bubbly nature. When he finally arrives at his destination, he realises helping others is more important than the house and the material objects inside.

While the two leads are really good characters, I would say it is Doug the talking dog who steals the film. He is mad, very excitable and wants to help the good guys despite being part of the baddies. I could not stop laughing every time he spoke. This film is brilliant and I will definitely buy it when it comes out on DVD. The visuals will amaze you, some bits will make you sad but mostly, it will make you laugh and smile.