UP
UP is the latest animated treat from Pixar and their first in 3D (where available). The hysterical trailers have been running for months but no hints of motivation are given for Carl Fredricksen (a fine welcome back for Ed Asner) a grumpy old man using a monstrous battery of helium filled balloons to float his character home in the city on a jungle safari accompanied by an ersatz boy scout named Russell (first timer Jordan Nagai plucked from a casting call). What unfolds is a tender story that starts in the early part of the 20th century when the Hindenburg and daredevils like Charles Lindberg capture the global imagination and Ellie (Elie Docter) a plucky, adventurous girl just out of her baby teeth befriends young Carl a chubby, shy but otherwise like minded boy. They become inseparable for life after puppy love turns to the real thing but alas in the new millennium the once shy boy is the first to be left alone. The balloon relocation is a natural progression from their joyous life together and Russell the stowaway, although living with his own melancholy, is just there trying to earn a merit badge. Waiting at their South American destination is some wondrous intrigue featuring exotic birds, talking dogs and betrayal by a childhood icon, Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). Pixar continues its tradition here of providing animation with universal appeal that might be a little unsettling to the very young but still should elevate Up, high on any movie goers list of films to see this summer.