Up Review

What does it say about the current slate of movies that after seeing around 30 since the first of the year the 3 best are 2 documentaries and an animated film?

I laughed more at "Up" then I did at "Night at the Museum", cried more than I did at any drama I have seen and certainly the action was more gripping than "Star Trek"!!!! Okay, so maybe I am exaggerating in the case of the later but Up was certainly more involving than Star Trek.

Watching Carl and Ellie's life together in a short montage tells more in  than many two hour movies do.  Carl is square in more than one way--he is built square with a square chin, face and glasses. As square as he is that's how round Russell the boy scout type is. He is as round as the balloons that take them on their adventure. And, yes, you really believe that balloons filled with helium would take the house flying!

The South American animals from the 'Snipe' a very colorful bird to all the various dogs, including the helium speaking, sounding, Doberman  are believable , though the latter can be a little difficult to understand. And there is Dug, everybody's pet dog that can't find a master but loves everyone looking for one.

Whether is it Ed Asner voicing Carl or  Jordan Nagai as Russell, whether it is the dogs of all types or the villianous Charles Muntz , each voice matches each character to the point that you think it is the character.

This is not the best film you will ever see or even see this year and it isn't the best animated film from either Walt Disney and/or Pixar but it certainly shows you how far animated films have come  and, if you haven't seen one in a while "Up" will show you just that and entertain you at the same time.

Animation isn't for children anymore though there certainly enough to keep children awed and laughing!!