Up and Away!

Ever since I saw the teaser trailer last year for Up, I have been counting down the days until I could finally see the latest Pixar film up there on the small screen.  And while nothing really was given away from that trailer, given the history of past Pixar movies, I still wanted to pay the ridiculously high price of a movie ticket to watch it.  After the (painstakingly) long wait, I joyfully sat down in the gross, darkened theater with the biggest smile on my face today.  I didn't care at all that there were going to be young children possibly screaming, crying, or carrying on, or that the theater wasn't brand new and comfy.  I just really needed to see this movie.

Up definitely delivered, and after reading so many positive reviews from the Cannes film festival, I didn't doubt it.  The emotional impact from the beginning sequence of events, in which we see the life of young Carl Fredricksen and his dreams (this part is actually my favorite.  I loved the procession of years set alongside the piano accompaniment.  I remember reading somewhere about how much it was like old silent films, and it really was!) , carries through the entire film. The story of a grumpy old man flying his house with balloons alone seemed interesting, but after seeing how and why this guy did it, you really begin to understand.  Even the addition of the annoying boy scout (who you do actually like) makes this story one of a kind.  

After the old man's wife passes away, his one mission in life is to save his house.  For some time, contractors and developers have been trying to level it.  After being sent to court, where it has been determined he will stay in a retirement community, he brilliantly comes up with the idea of helium balloons.  It seems like a flight of ease and comfort, him and his memories flying toward the one place he always dreamed of, until the knock on the door is heard.  After that, his journey with the young boy begins.  

I don't want to give any more plot away than that, considering I actually want people to go see it.  It's amazing, really, how one can get so swept up in an animated movie.  There's lots of humor too, which definitely makes the kids happy, as was evident in the small company of munchkins who watched in front of me.  That's one thing I've always loved about Pixar movies.  They have this ability to attract both children and adults, pleasing everyone.  In case you haven't seen it already, definitely go.  Plop down your money for this one, because it's probably one of the best computer animated films I've ever seen.  The wait was definitely worth it.