Disney Pixar's Up

Welcome to another episode of The "D" List.

Today's review is Disney's Pixar's UP. Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson. Written by Bob Peterson.

As I'm sure you all can remember in past reviews. I am a sucker for these CG animated films. They have become the rage in Hollywood when it comes to animation and with good reason. These films provide limitless entertainment because they aren't bound by the rules of live action films. The characters in these movies can literally do anything. From toys coming to life to monsters running a company to collect screams from children to survive to a family of super heroes banding together to save a city that turned them into vagabonds. The list goes on and on.

Once Pixar introduced Toy Story to the masses, the CG film revolution began. Furthermore, they established themselves as the industry leader before the industry was even created. That's pretty damn impressive if you ask me. They employ some of the most talented people working in film and computer animation today and it shows in the final product. UP is the 10th film Pixar's filmography and once again they succeeded in crushing the level of expectations that their previous film had set.

UP tells the story of Carl Fredricksen voiced by Ed Asner. He's a man who dreamt of traveling to a secluded waterfall in south america with his wife Ellie. Several circumstances deny Carl and Ellie from making the trip. Those circumstances are shown in a brilliant montage chronicling their lives together until one fateful day.

Several years pass and Carl is old and alone and bitter. He meets Russell voiced by Jordan Nagai. Russell is a young wilderness explorer scout and in order to receive his final merit badge he has to help an elderly person so he goes to Carl's house. Naturally Carl is resistant and sends him away or so he thought. As we see in the trailer. Carl inflates thousands of balloons that lift his house off the ground. He does this to fulfill his dream to go to the waterfall in south america. To Carl's surprise, Russell is on his porch. It's here where the film takes off and sends us on a terrific adventure.

I will not reveal anymore of the story because this film is worth seeing for yourself.

UP does more than just tell a story about adventure and action. It tells the story of love, friendship, change and living life to the fullest. None of us are promised tomorrow so we need to live today as if it's our last. UP conveys that message in several different ways.

There is of course tons of laughs provided by Russell. He is the cutest kid. You want to take him home. I know I did. He's they type of kid that's so annoying but so cute that you can look past his bothersome qualities. He's so inquisitive and enthusiastic. He reintroduces Carl to real life while getting himself and Carl into tons of trouble.

The 2 of them bond so nicely at the end that it tugs at your heart strings. My throat got a little choked up. I'm not embarrassed to say that.

UP is a film that works on so many levels that it's tough to categorize it. It's part comedy/drama/action and fantasy. One thing's for sure. It's 100% GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!

On the 5 star scale UP gets the full house 5 stars with a SUPER DUPER "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.

I know this review doesn't really reveal much but it's important to experience this film on your own. You WILL be reminded of something. Maybe it's that life is precious or that your loved ones need to be cherished. Or that making new friends can be a great thing.

One thing that doesn't need reminding is that Pixar once again hit a home run and this runaway train of amazing films can only be challenged by the imagination of it's staff. I can't even begin to fathom what they have in store for an encore. All I know is I'm IN!!!!!!!!

That's it for the "D" List for now.

Upcoming reviews........In no particular order

The Hangover
Land of The Lost.....Looking forward to this one. Was a big fan of the TV show.
The Taking of Pelham 123
Year One
Transformers : Revenge of The Fallen
My Sister's Keeper
G.I. Joe : The Rise of Cobra

Summer's still looking good.

Until Next Episode....I'll Save you A Seat!

"D"