CLEMENTINE'S REVIEWS

10th November 2009
UP (2009)

Director: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
Writer: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
Starring: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer, Bob Peterson

UP is utterly sublime. Like the thousands of balloons lifting Carl Fredricksen's sweet home into the sky, UP lifts our hearts and takes us soaring through the greatest adventure of all - the search of meaning.

Fascinated with the daring exploits of adventuring heroes in far off lands, the shy, young Carl Fredricksen meets the enthusiastic and extroverted Ellie who shares his love for adventure. They become sweethearts and lifelong partners, always dreaming of visiting South America but sidetracked by life events. Now an old man, Carl avoids being escorted to a retirement home by attaching thousands of helium filled balloons to his house, which lifts off the ground, destined for South America. An unwitting passenger is 8-year-old Russell (Jordan Nagai), a local Wilderness Scout intent on earning his 'assisting the elderly' badge.

UP expresses so many important life lessons essential for all ages. Our childhood dreams, our quest for purpose and happiness, our life journey, the meaning of family, friendship and love. Unlike the hallmark of popular animation today with overly-worked 'clever' adult jokes sandwiched between kids' slapstick for 'something for everyone', the script for UP is universally appealing with its genuine and intelligent writing for equal appeal to all ages. The script is so tenderly crafted with heartfelt laughs tempered with sensitive emotional scenes.

I have very few qualms about this beautifully imagined and executed film. The villain Charles Muntz had a great opportunity to reveal his sympathetic storyline, the need for his life quest to be vindicated for all the public scepticism, and poignant conclusion. Unfortunately the writers haven't taken this route and that is the only thing I can find fault in.

A feeling of wonder and possibility takes off with the sight of the flying house, from escaping over the city buildings to floating above the clouds. The animation in 3D gloriously enhances the sense of depth and sweeping movement, capitalising on the technology with much more effectiveness than the dizzying fast motion of action flicks or zany kids' comedies. The vision of the creators seem very successfully realised in this splendid film.

Verdict: UP takes our imagination and our hearts on the journey of a lifetime. Magnificent, marvellous, inspirational.

Read Alaris' review of Up (2009).