Review: UP

Just got back from the film, and I figured I’d post my review up in time for the weekend. Now, I love me some Pixar. I’ve found them to be an extremely reliable source of family entertainment. Finding Nemo, Cars, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Toy Story–their list goes on and on. Sooner or later, they’ve got to fall flat on their faces, or at least not quite meet the standard they’ve set for themselves.

This time, they’ve exceeded that standard. By a wide margin.

In fact, I’d have to say that UP is likely their best movie yet. As I think back on it, there’s really not a single thing with the movie that I could quibble about. It’s tight: a lean, mean, funny machine. I loved every minute of it, from beginning to end. It hits all the right notes on a spectrum of emotions, from humor to drama to adventure–you name it. I don’t really want to get in to any of the specifics, because I think it was a stronger experience for me by not knowing too much about it before I went. All you need to know is that it’s about an old man who uses helium balloons to make his house fly. The fact that I can give that as the summary and still give the movie a strong recommendation says oodles right there.

Dads, this is one to see with your sons. Or grandfathers with their grandsons. Not saying that it won’t be enjoyed by the ladies, but I think it made an even bigger impact on me to be sitting there at the first showing, my son next to me, laughing along with me. The movie’s a strong four stars from me. I can’t recommend it enough.

As an added bonus, the film plays with a cartoon short in front of it, as has been Pixar’s tradition. This one’s called Partly Cloudy, and it’s every bit as good as any of the others you’ve already seen. Really, the fact that you can see entertainment this good for a matinee price ($3.50 for me here in Maine), is a jaw dropping good deal.

So fly, my pretties. Fly! Go watch this movie. Now.

That is all.

Squirrel!