Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Junior Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life.

What can be said about Pixar that probably hasn’t been said before. As a film studio and production house they have to be praised for the fact that they never make a mediocre movie and that the quality of their films are so great. Sure there have been hiccups along the way with films like Cars and a Bug’s Life but these films are only weak films when compared to the masterpieces that Pixar always manages to put together. Up while probably not their best film to date, I have always been a fan of Toy Story as their best, it is clearly up their as one of their best films they have ever made. Great visuals as usual but also a fun and compelling story that can and will draw at your heartstrings.

The story might have been what surprised me the most as it wasn’t what I was expecting from the trailers or TV ads. I was expecting a fun filled romp of adventure through mystical lands with a grumpy old man and while I got that I also got a lot more. The film has an underlining tone of love, life and sadness that will draw at your heartstrings. The reason for the adventure isn’t because the old man had grown grumpy and tired of life it is a lot deeper and vastly more meaningful than you would ever expect from a kid’s film so I won’t ruin that wonderful subplot of the film by mentioning it.

I was never a big fan of Finding Nemo as it used way too many clichéd characters and storylines from the Disney bag but I don’t think there has been a more beautiful Pixar film to date until Up. I am not sure which I would call more beautiful as they both deal with different worlds. One is the sky and a lost land the other the bottom of the ocean but both are stunning and will take your break away. I am actually for the first time since the crazy readvent of using 3D looking forward to actually see this film that was luckily brought to my town in 3D. The gorgeous visuals if done right could be even more breathtaking in 3D.

Up has a little of everything for everyone. It has humor that will make you laugh, it has gorgeous visuals, it has a fun but deep storyline for both the kid and the cynical adult and is one of the best films that Pixar has churned out. I can’t say enough good things about the film and my gushing review should show how good the film is so much so that I want to see it again in 3D a technology I despise and hate as a gimmick but the film was grand enough to overcome my hatred for the gimmick and want to give it a chance. Pixar had done films so well maybe they can also find a way to do 3D right as well.

Grade: A