Movie Review: “Up”

MPAA Rating: PG 

    “Up” is the story of balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner), an elderly widower holding on to the memories of a long and happy life with his late wife and partner in adventure, Ellie. When circumstances threaten to move him from his quiet life at the home he loves to a retirement home, he hatches a plan to float his house with balloons to Paradise Falls in South America, a place that he and Ellie had planned to go their whole lives. With the help of a young and eager Wilderness Explorer named Russell (Jordan Nagai) who is mistakenly brought along, Carl experiences the adventure of his lifetime complete with a flying house, talking dogs with human skills, a crazy scientist from Carl’s past and a large and colorful bird named Kevin.

The beginning of this film is heartwarming and mature enough to touch even adults with a montage of memories from Carl and Ellie’s long and happy life together and a man’s commitment to maintaining the home he cherishes. The second part of the movie, which takes place when Carl and Russell finally land in South America, possesses both the quick pace and silliness to keep children laughing and entertained. A happy ending keeps the movie light enough for young kids. The combination of brilliant and colorful animation, an inspiring soundtrack and an unlikely duo of lovable heroes makes “Up” a worthwhile movie to see with the whole family. However, with some scary images of dogs, a sword fight and references to death, this movie might be best for children in Kindergarten and up. According to many, “Up” will be a shoe-in for a Best Animated Feature nomination for this year.

Kelly Nelson is an intern for KC Parent Magazine. She will be a junior at the University of Missouri in the fall and is studying Journalism and Spanish there. She has lived in Kansas City her whole life and enjoys being home for the summer.