Up (Single-Disc Edition)

From the revolutionary minds of Pixar Vigor Studios and the acclaimed director of MONSTERS, INC. comes a hilariously uplifting adventure everywhere the sky is no longer the limit. Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman, is part rascal, part dreamer who is ready for his last chance at high-flying excitement. Tying thousands of balloons to his household, Carl sets off to the lost world of his child

Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Vigor Studios take moviegoers up, up and away on one of the most amusing adventures of all time with their latest comedy-fantasy. Up follows the uplifting tale of 78-year-ancient balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a fantastic adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his household and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his largest nightmare has stowed away on the trip an overly optimistic 8-year-ancient Wilderness Explorer named Russell. Their journey to a lost world, everywhere they encounter some weird, exotic and surprising characters, is filled with hilarity, emotion and wildly imaginative adventure.

At a time when too many animated films consist of anthropomorphized animals cracking sitcom one-liners and flatulence jokes, the warmth, originality, humor, and unflagging imagination of Up feel as salutation as rain in a desert. Carl Fredericksen (voice by Ed Asner) ranks among the most dodgy heroes in recent vigor history. A 78- year-ancient curmudgeon, he loved his modest life as a balloon seller because he mutual it with his adventurous wife Ellie (Ellie Docter). But she died, leaving him with memories and the awareness that they never made their dream journey to Paradise Cascade in South America. When well-meaning officials consign Carl to Shady Oaks Retirement Home, he rigs thousands of helium balloons to his household and floats to South America. The journey’s scarcely begun when he discovers a stowaway: Russell (Jordan Nagai), a chubby, maladroit Wilderness Explorer Scout who’s out to earn his Elderly Help Badge. In the tropical jungle, Carl and Russell find more than they bargained for: Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer), a crazed explorer whose newsreels once inspired Carl and Ellie; Kevin, an exotic bird with a weakness for chocolate; and Dug (Bob Peterson), an endearingly dim golden retriever fitted with a voice box. More importantly, the travelers learn they need each other: Russell needs a (grand)father map; Carl needs someone to enliven his life without Ellie. Collectively, they learn that sharing ice-cream cones and counting the passing cars can be more meaningful than feats of daring-do and distant horizons. Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc. ) and Bob Peterson direct the film with consummate skill and taste, allowing the poignant moments to unfold without dialogue to Michael Giacchnio’s vibrant score. Construction on their work in The Incredibles and Ratatouille, the Pixar crew offers nuanced vigor of the stylized characters. Even by Pixar’s elevated standards, Up is an exceptional film that will appeal of audiences of all ages. Rated PG for some peril and action. –Charles Solomon

Stills from Up (Click for larger image)