Up

The new Pixar movie, Up wasn't exactly what I expected. It follows an elderly man, Carl, who has outlived his deceased wife. He reflects on an adventure they talked about in their childhood and never accomplished and floats his house away in an attempt to live out the dream he and his wife never could: living in and exploring the remote region Paradise Falls. The movie balances bright and childlike themes with the deep sadness the main character feels in undertaking his journey; Balloons remain a common motif as Carl uses them (as a former balloon salesmen) to float both his house and his wife's childhood dreams. Accompanying Carl is a small boy scout seeking to earn his 'assisting the elderly' badge and a host of animals they meet on their journey to set Carl's house on Paradise Falls before his balloons run out of air.

I was surprised by this movie. Pixar movies are reliably good, and this is no exception. What surprised me is the emotionally draining this movie is. Unlike Wall-e (my all time favorite) or Finding Nemo, Up is a movie that almost requires the viewer to be a particular mood, and then from that caters to it extremely well. I recommend seeing this movie when you're in a somber mood only.Up, although for the most part maintaining a mood distinctly more depressing than that of normal Pixar movies, is fantastic and especially in its beautiful, thematic metaphors. I give it 4.5 out of 5 Movie Ferrets.