‘Up’ is by Pixar. If that tells you nothing about the quality, what does?

I’ll make this point once, although the contents of this review will only re-enforce this point: The people at Pixar are gods. The beautiful animation they create, the unforgettable characters they bring to life, the humor they lace their products with, they make films like no other company or filmmaker, let alone any other animation studio. If Wall-E was a miniature, animated, romantic, epic in space, then Up is a buddy chase adventure comedy. With a talking dog. To sum it up with significantly less adjectives: Up is awesome.

If the film’s first act is uneven, it involves us so much we don’t care. It introduces us in 1939 to a young budding adventure named Carl Frederickson who idolizes a man named Charles Muntz. Muntz flies around the world in a giant blimp, bringing back skeletons of other-worldly creatures. This passion for adventure causes him to meet a girl named Ellie. In the best part of the film, a montage takes us through their marriage and Ellie’s eventual death.

Present-day. Carl’s quaint old neighborhood is being monopolized, fast-food restaurants and skyscrapers sprouting up everywhere. Given that his house sticks out like a sore thumb, Carl is forced to relocate to a retirement home. However, Carl ties thousands balloons to his house (yes, it makes no sense) and sails away, towards South America, to fulfill his and his late wife’s dream.

This paradise is quickly interrupted, when Carl realizes a young, pudgy wilderness explorer, Russell has stowed away on his front porch. Some characters Carl and Russell encounter include a group of talking dogs (one of them, Dug, they befriend), a colorful, rare bird they name Kevin, and Charles Muntz himself, who proves to be the villain of the film. (After 70 years alone in the jungle, naturally he’s gone insane.)

Pixar’s extraordinary track record is kept in accord here, this is yet another modern animated classic. Most of the film is set in the South American jungle, and the vistas are gorgeous. Up is to South America what Ratatouille is to food: So realistic and eye-popping, you want to eat it. Or in Ups case, touch it. It has some cool action, but its always hysterically funny, thanks to the talking dog Dug. His lines include “My name is Dug. I just met you, and I love you. SQUIRREL.”

The voice acting is good, with Ed Asner playing the cranky protagonist, Carl. All in all, Up is excellent. Its interesting premise, incredible animation, and the fact it’s actually really funny make for a film that can’t be missed. I don’t care how old you are. A

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