KTKA

Pixar just keeps cranking out amazing films while advancing technology in the animated world to all new heights. With the release of their 10th feature called "Up" this highly successful company without a box office flop to their name continues the excellent track record with what could be their best effort yet.

The movie begins by showing the courtship between Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) and the love of his life Ellie as children and throughout their lives together. As time marches on the two marry and spend their time together saving loose change for their dream trip, buying and making an old house into their dream home, and enjoying their lives together.

Soon as it is in real life unforeseen things happen that take their vacation dream trip savings away, such as car and house repairs, and other expenses. Nothing however took away their love for life or each other that went on for years until its untimely conclusion.

The central focus of the film is on Carl's life as a widow after Ellie and how he withdrawals from society. He becomes a recluse and guards the home that he and Ellie shared while battling big corporate America who want to buy and tear it down all in the name of progress.

Following an unfortunate incident Carl finds him at the mercy of the court and forced to leave his dream home to live out his remaining years in a retirement community. Not wanting to leave Carl decides to pack-up his belongings and leave in the most non- traditional way possible. Having spent his career in the balloon industry Carl fills hundreds and hundreds of them to suspend his house into the air and float away. Carl's destination is to float to the Ellie's dream vacation destination of Paradise Falls.

Having not counted on anyone else to concern himself with anyone else Carl soon discovers he as a stowaway on board his house. Russell who just wants to get his last patch which is to help the elderly and become an ultimate scout becomes the co-pilot on the floating house much to the initial displeasure of Carl.

"Up" is a funny, touching and beautifully made movie that will touch your heart in many ways. The story itself is very well written with real heart and emotion running through it.

There is a segment in the movie with no dialogue that shows in montage form the life of Carl and Ellie Fredricksen and it's an extremely beautiful moment in the film. I haven't seen a more poignant scene in any film animated or live action this year that compares to it.

Ed Asner is terrific as the voice of Carl Fredricksen, one of the most endearing characters that Pixar has ever created. You come too really like Carl and have feelings, and sympathy for the loneliness and despair he's feeling thorough out most of the movie. It made me also think about Asner's character of Lou on the old "Mary Tyler Moore Show" a gruff, grumpy character that had a side to him that endeared him to audiences in the 70's.

I think however with all of its greatness "Up" might be a little too filled with real emotional moments for the younger kids under the age of 5 or so to fully comprehend. The little kids in the audience I saw the movie with became very excited when the new trailer for Toy Story 3 debuted with Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang making their return in June of 2010.

The look of the movie is wonderful, filled with countless moments of brilliance. I laughed, and I cried and was thoroughly entertained by yet another achievement from Pixar as this is one of the best movies of 2009.