AND AWAY WE GO: Disney/Pixar's "Up"

It occurred to me more than halfway through the latest film from the brainchildren of Pixar, "Up", written and directed by Pete Docter & Bob Peterson, that our unlikely 'hero', Carl Fergusson, retired balloon salesman (and given voice by the talented Ed Asner) had quietly acquired a nice face full of stubble. To most of us, an old man with a face full of stubble wouldn't be a big deal. Because Carl is digitally composed like everything in the movie, it once again shows Pixar's attention to 'the little' stuff' in these modern day fairy tales. Seeing "Monsters, Inc." for the first time on a digital hi-def monitor, I suddenly was possessed by the flow and bounce of James P. Sullivan's blue hairy body. It is these small details that push this production company's fare beyond mere family films.
Don't misunderstand; I believe a lot of the success of the Disney/Pixar collaboration had to do with the writers, who are able to balance their new moral tales between sophisticated humor an adult can enjoy with simpler, silly humor (a mean doberman pincher who 'speaks' in a high, almost pre-pubescent voice) that kids delight in.
Carl's story begins with him as a child at the movies, watching a newsreel about Charles Muntz, a Lindbergh-like famed adventurer and explorer, who disappeared after doubt is cast on his discovery of a large flightless bird in the wilds of South America. As young Carl wanders home afterwards he encounters a brash, energetic young girl named Ellie, a fellow "adventurer". Carl and Ellie's fate is sealed soon after and the film provides a lovely wordless montage of the life together.
Carl has grown old and cantankerous , watching the neighborhood around his house disappear to some alien-looking developer. When Carl gets angry at a construction worker's disregard for his property, he hits him in the head. That's when things go truly bad for Carl. On the day he is to be shipped off to some retirement home, Carl decides he must keep the promise to his late wife and take their house to the top of a huge waterfall in the South American wilds. Carl makes his escape with the help of innumerable helium-filled balloons. Sitting to enjoy the peace and quiet he find in his air born state, the silence is broken by a knocking at the door! Carl quickly discovers there is a stow-away on board, young Russell (voice by Jordon Nagai), a Roley-poly wilderness scout determined to get his merit badge for helping the elderly. As his house finally comes down after a storm, Carl discovers himself in the vicinity of the Falls he and Ellie dreamed about. Determined to get his house to the top of the falls, he and Russell walk the house to its destination. Lost in the wild forests, the two go astray only to stumble upon the explorer Muntz, determined to located and capture his mysterious bird, a large colorful creation with a weakness for chocolate. Admiration turns to fear as he discover that Muntz is determined to let NO one obstruct his pursuit.
The film a real charmer, providing laughs for everyone, as well as some nice thoughts about old age and extended families. Well worth seeing, but if you can catch it in 3-D, do. Seeing Carl's house float above your head, balloons gleaming in the sun, is wondrous to see and a dark brooding storm reminiscent of "The Wizard of Oz" is magnificently rendered.
Take the kids. Or don't. But go.