Review - Up 3D

Disney/Pixar's latest offering is another winner. A simple fable, it's told with a warmth, humour and technical excellence that makes it stand out as one of Pixar's best. Up tells the story of grumpy senior Carl Fredrickson (Ed Asner) who has recently lost his wife and is soon to lose his home. Facing being moved into a retirement home after an unfortunate incident with building contractors who are after his home, Carl ties seemingly hundreds of balloons to his fireplace which send his house skyward. His goal is to reach Paradise Falls, where his childhood hero Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer) visited many years back in search of a mythical bird but never returned. Tagging along unwittingly for the trip is a young boy scout named Russell. Amazingly the house does reach Paradise Falls where Carl and Russell run into a pack of talking dogs, a giant bird (who Russell christens as Kevin), and even Muntz himself, whose mysterious intentions are soon made clear to Carl and Russell.

From the heartbreaking first few minutes to the exciting and sentimental finale, Up is an absolute joy to watch. The main characters are perfectly judged and well played by the voice actors. Carl's story is a sad one and his dealing with being alone and old age is sensitively handled and rather touching. Russell is an excellent comic foil – wide-eyed, lovable and who refreshingly is written to behave like a kid and not a wisecracking grown-up in a kids body. He's the perfect antidote to Carl's grumpiness. Muntz is an entertaining “boo hiss” villain who gets some surprisingly creepy scenes. Pixar have somehow managed to create well rounded non-human characters as well. The dogs, equipped with collars which speak out their thoughts, are hilarious. Kevin, a giant bird with a fondness for Russell, provides the cute factor. Even though “he” is speechless he still gets the chance for some dramatics and character growth as the story progresses.

The story and direction by Pete Doctor and Bob Peterson (who also voices the two main canine characters) is thrilling, sentimental and dramatic in equal measures. It's played at just the right level so that both children and adults will enjoy. The film appeals to the mind, the heart and the eyes. For the mind there's the characters growth and depth, we really get to know what makes these characters tick, and learn about their fears, struggles and hopes. For the eye there's the colourful and well realised scenery and superbly animated characters, and for the heart there's everything from the tearjerker montage which opens the film to the rollercoaster thrills of the finale.

Up was filmed using Disney's Digital 3D system which is what the film was presented in at the viewing I attended. The danger with 3D films in the past is that the colours could end up muted due to the 3D glasses. However like the earlier “Monster Vs Aliens” Up manages to retain its bright colours and the film looks great in digital presentation. Pixar had a tough job following Ratatouille and Wall-E but have pulled through with a fantastic film which just about everybody will enjoy.