Original release date: May 29, 2009.

Rating: PG

Length: 1 hour, 36 minutes

Background:

Adventure is out there! That’s the story of “Up,” one of many Pixar films designed to make you laugh and cry.

Development began in 2004 under awesome director Pete Docter, who also directed “Monsters, Inc.” and several other emotion-grabbing Pixar movies including the upcoming “Soul.” He was joined by music director Michael Giacchino, the mind behind the music of “The Incredibles.” The deck was stacked early, friends.

The cast didn’t feature a lot of big names, but Ed Asner took on the starring role as the voice of Carl Fredrickson. Ed is the most honored male performer in the history of the Primetime Emmy Awards largely due to his time on the “Mary Tyler Moore Show,” but today’s generations might best know him as Santa in “Elf.”

Unlike many of the Pixar films before it, there wasn’t much merchandise for “Up” outside of stuffed animals. The marketing machine that churned out thousands of toys of “Toy Story” and “Cars” couldn’t quite find the marketing hook for the old man movie.

The movie did well, earning $293 million in North American box office tickets and $735 million worldwide.

In the land of the critics, it performed remarkably. It was only the second animated film in history to be nominated for Best Picture – the big prize – at the Academy Awards, following in the footsteps of “Beauty & the Beast.” It didn’t win the big one, but it did win Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score.

Among many other awards, it brought home two Annie Awards, two Grammy Awards, a Teen Choice Award and a sea of others.

As most games of its time did, “Up” spawned a video game of the same name. I don’t remember it and can’t even imagine what it would be like, but it hit the Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PC, PSP, and even Apple’s App Store.

Review:

The story of “Up” is a tale of love and adventure. As the film starts with the tune “Married Life,” those who have seen it prepare the waterworks. Those who haven’t are in for it.

We meet the childhood version of Carol Fredrickson, who meets a rambunctious redhead named Ellie. They grow together in love and begin working towards her dream of living on top of Paradise Falls. As life happens, the piggy bank instead gets spent on other things. They never reach the goal as Ellie dies and we all cry. If you don’t cry, you have no heart.

The film moves to present day and crotchety old man Carl, still living in the house he and Ellie grew in marriage in. However, the town as grown up around him, with his little house being the only resemblance of a neighborhood left surrounded by large buildings.

We meet Russell, an eager Wilderness Explorer trying to earn his last badge by helping Carl. Carl, naturally as an old cranky man does, says no.

Carl loses his house in a court battle, with the courts declaring he needs to move to a retirement home. Carl handles this in his own way, unleashing a barrage of helium balloons that fly his house up – hey, that’s the movie title! – and away. Little does Carl know, however, that Russell was on the porch. Air balloon house, party of two!

The story goes on as they crash land far earlier than their target, meet a great talking dog named Russell, several less-great talking dogs, and a giant female bird named Kevin. For storyline purposes, they also meet Charles Muntz, a historic explorer who doesn’t quite end up the hero he’s thought to be. Shock!

It’s a great movie that will alternate you between laughing and on the edge of your seat. This is one of those movies that make you appreciate the HD, as you can see the individual balloons.

Extras:

“Up Trailer” – a two minute trailer. Just watch the movie.

“Alternate Scene: Married Life” – This four minute clip includes an early storyboard draft of the opening sequence.

“Disney As Told by Emoji: Up” – The “Told by Emoji” series has covered many Disney movies as a way to seem hip (doesn’t work) and promote the Emoji Blitz phone game (works).

“Russell: Wilderness Explorer” – This nine minute feature introduces Russell, his real-life inspiration, and his young voice actor.

Should you watch it?

A million times yes, watch it. It’s one of the best of the best Pixar movies.