ALARIS' REVIEWS

30th September 2009
Up (2009)

Oh my god.

They should have tear-jerker warnings on movies like this.

As a huge Pixar fan, I'd been looking forward to Up for months. I went in pretty cold, aware only that the film was about some old guy who attaches helium balloons to his house and floats away.

Sounds whimsical, I thought. Cool.

If you thought the opening to Finding Nemo (2003) was poignant, the first 15 minutes of Up is like a king-hit to the amygdala. If you survive the opening, the rest of the movie is Pixar's usual blend of fun, adventure, and heartwarming tenderness.

The story isn't as epic as Pixar's opus, Wall-E (2008), or as much fun as their classic Toy Story (1995), but Up is still very entertaining, moving, and meaningful - the hallmarks of every great Pixar. The main character in Up, Carl, is an elderly man whose best years are long behind him. Consequently, the story is far more introspective than Pixar's other films, with plenty of beautiful, quiet moments, where the creators have used delicacy and restraint to convey volumes of emotion.

The plot is engaging and well paced, full of humour and humanity, if not brimming with action. The story movies easily between whimsical fantasy and heartfelt drama - one of my favourite combinations. The tragedies feel real, while the fantasy is wonderfully immersive.

The animation in Up is impressive, the scenes vivid with detail, and the character designs are absolutely adorable. The characters themselves are great - funny, flawed, distinctive, courageous, and deeply sympathetic, with all the main voice cast doing an excellent job.

Up is another classic Pixar, full of warmth, hope, humour, and adventure.

Verdict: A fun, poignant fantasy film for kids and adults alike.

If you like Pixar films, you'll probably like this.

****

Read Clementine's review of Up (2009).