A scene from Pixar's Up (Disney/Pixar, 2009)

NOBODY can match Pixar when it comes to the creation of animated features. The studio has given up modern classics like The Incredibles, Monsters Inc and Ratatouille.

The high standard is maintained with Up, an enchanting tale of friendship and adventure that combines impeccable craftsmanship, beautiful animation and a story with a universal appeal. It is one of the most heartwarming films you will see this year.

Ed Asner provides the voice of Carl Fredericksen, a crotchety old man who bears a passing resemblance to Spencer Tracy in his later years. As a young lad in the 1930s, Carl was beguiled by cinema newsreels of his idol, the intrepid adventurer Charles F. Muntz (Christopher Plummer).

Carl, too, thought he might have a life devoted to travel, exploration and ripping yarns. Instead, he met his beloved Ellie and was happy to settle for a life of love and domestic bliss. Now, Ellie is dead and Carl is being forcibly evicted from his house.

Defiant to the last, he decides to tie enough balloons to the house to lift it off the ground and set sail for South America. He doesn’t realise that he has company in the former of stowaway boy scout Russell (Jordan Nagai). The mismatched odd couple are soon sailing towards Paradise Falls and enough adventures to last a life time.

Up is such a delight because it creates believable human characters. You never think of Carl and Russell as cartoon figures. He is an old fellow whose grumpy exterior conceals a heart of gold, while Russell is just bouncing with energy and good intentions.

The friendship that develops between them is entirely predictable but no less charming for all of that. Beautiful colours, painterly landscapes, a dastardly villain, a comical dog called Dug and a rare exotic bird named Kevin are all part of the fun in one of those rare films that can be recommended to all ages.

Nationwide release

Director: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Vocal cast: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo, John Ratzenberger
Screenwriters: Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Tom McCarthy
Certificate: U
Running time: 102 mins
Country: USA
Year: 2009

© Allan Hunter, 2009

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